Adam Silverman; Clay and Space at Laguna Art Museum

In his first solo museum exhibit, LA based artist Adam Silvermanintrigues us with his collection of experimental pottery. Known for his unique mix of texture, glaze and color, Silverman shows us a rustic, yet futuristic collection of pottery as part of Laguna Art Museum's Art and Nature feature.

Many of the pots in the exhibit were fired right here in Laguna Beach. Not only that, but the clay used to form the pots was harvested right here in Laguna Canyon Silverman is known for his site-specific and primitive form of firing. He uses as many locally forged materials as possible in the making of his work. Once the pots are formed from the clay, he then fires them in the fire pits at Aliso County Beach. He layers each pot in the pits with wood chips from the Sawdust Art Festival, driftwood and seaweed from the beach, and wood from the canyon, all as fuel for   fire. He also collects 10 gallons of seawater to make salt, which is also added to the fire. The results make for a truly unique look to each and every pot.

The presentation of the fired pots also follows this unique streak of Silverman. He has a background in architecture, which is immediately apparent as you see his discerning detail in the displaying of his work. He had a mason build a display that is reminiscent of a kiln, but one that you can walk into and get up close and personal with his work. The curved u-shaped dual displays pull the viewer in while also giving them a peek into the contrasting collection of vivid blue pots beyond the Laguna pots.

His second collection of pots conjures up futuristic ideas with their striking blue color and shimmering glaze that appears to glow under the lights. And yet, the shape and texture of the pots reminded one of prehistoric dinosaur eggs. Again, Silverman creates this dichotomy of mixing opposing ideas to work into one awe-inspiring look of the convergence between art and nature.

His final exhibit mixes three mediums - a pot, a video, and an ambient soundtrack. Collaborating with Lucas Michael, Silverman created a display of a white pot with a video of the same pot rotating, and projected onto itself. In the background, the sounds of the pot being made plays on a continued loop. The piece is lunar-like, while also giving the allusion that the pot is submerged in water. Again, combining the idea of art and nature inexplicably linked.

Clay and Space is one of the most minimalistic and yet, awe-producing exhibits to come to Laguna Art Museum. It stays with you and reminds you that art is forever linked and inspired by the beauty and complexity of nature.

Be sure to see the installation before January 19th.

Laguna Art Museum

307 Cliff Drive

Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Monday-Tuesday, Thursday 11:00am- 9:00pm, Friday-Sunday 11:00am- 5:00pm, Closed Wednesday

$7 General, $5 Students and Seniors; FREE for children under 12 and active military

By Anne-Marie S.

Sawdust Winter Fantasy

Each winter the Sawdust Festival grounds transform into a winter wonderland. Thousands of holiday decorations cover the festival with a "Towne Square" in the center complete with Santa's sleigh and house. The festival also includes special activities for families and kids.

Pottery wheel throwing with holiday themed projects.

 

Studio One holiday themed art projects

Poinsettia drawing with pastels and paint

Children's Art Spot with projects for kids of all ages

Over 170 artist showcase their artwork with everything from jewelry, textiles, painting and photography to glass and ceramics. The  winter fantasy is the perfect spot to find the unique gifts you're looking for.

David Campbell handmade hair jewelry 

Pattie's People ornaments 

Live music throughout the grounds

For many, like myself and my family, Sawdust Winter Fantasy has become a holiday tradition that the whole family can enjoy.

23rd Annual Winter Fantasy 

Weekends of November 23, 24, 29, 30 and December 1, 7, 8, 14, 15

$6 Adults

$5 for Seniors (65+)

$3 Children (6-12)

By: Anne-Marie S.

Holiday Happenings in Laguna Beach

Artist Open Studios

*Photo Credit: Laguna Beach Indy

Get a look inside 25+ artists in working studios, the first Saturday of the month, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. now through March. Trolley service is available at 1900 Laguna Canyon Road every 15 minutes.

Annual Sawdust Art Festival Winter Fantasy

Transformed into a winter wonderland, the Sawdust Art Festival Winter Fantasy is the perfect place for holiday family fun. 170+ artists create and sell works, entertainment, art classes & demos, petting zoo and visits with Santa. Weekends Nov. 23-Dec. 15, 2013.

Holiday Tree Lighting at Montage Laguna Beach

Dec. 2, 2013 Montage Laguna Beach opens its doors for their spectacular tree lighting ceremony featuring carolers, children's activities, food, drink and music.

HospitalityNight in Downtown Laguna Beach

*photo credit: Laguna Beach Beat

Dec. 6, 2013 the festive Holiday tradition of welcoming Santa to Laguna Beach is happening. Santa arrives with his "reindeer" to light up the Pepper Tree at City Hall. Also enjoy live music, ice skating and shopping. Trolley service available from 5pm to 10pm.

Make Laguna Beach your winter escape with one of these special offers:

Inn at Laguna Beach 

Montage Laguna Beach 

Pacific Edge Hotel 

Surf & Sand Resort 

Val Kilmer’s Citizen Twain Comes to Laguna Beach Playhouse

 

Val Kilmer brings to life what many consider America’s greatest storyteller and first standup comedian, Mark Twain, in his one man show Citizen Twain. Kilmer's hilarious, raucous portrayal of Twain positions the character as a reluctant, recalcitrant, and downright defiant prophet whose undeniable skills as a story-teller and wordsmith compels the Almighty to call upon Twain to deliver a Sermon on Love to help us through our daily challenges. Kilmer's Twain aggressively attempts to escape the responsibility of the Almighty's calling only to find himself thwarted at every turn by divine interventions that range from slapstick to sublime. Not even Mark Twain, it seems, can avoid his eternal fate. “Val Kilmer brings to remarkable life one of the greatest legends of all time and we are honored to have him here,” says Ann E. Warham, Artistic Director at Laguna Playhouse.

 

Kilmer workshopped the piece at the Pasadena Playhouse, Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City, the Valley Performing Arts Center in Northridge, CA and the Wyly Theatre in Dallas before bringing it to Laguna. “It's a unique experiment,” explains Kilmer. “We're developing CITIZEN TWAIN without the benefit of a home theater, which is a challenge, so we're going to where the audiences are. Mark Twain traveled the world sharing his love of America and humanity, and part of discovering Twain is to do that with this show.”

 

Citizen Twain is at Laguna Playhouse for a limited five show engagement between November 21 and November 24, 2013. Every performance of Citizen Twain concludes with an audience talkback while the actor has his extensive make-up removed in full view, and select tickets are also available which include a backstage meet and greet with the actor.

 

All tickets are $65 (post show reception with Mr. Kilmer are $90) and can be purchased online at www.lagunaplayhouse.com

 



Festival of Music in Laguna Beach

This Saturday local radio station, KX 93.5, will be taking over the Festival of Arts grounds for the first Festival of Music fundraiser in Laguna Beach. This is the first music festival at this intimate setting approved by Laguna Beach city council and the Irvine Bowl Policy Committee in almost ten years. “We are honored the committee has trusted us to put on a music festival at this historic Laguna Beach location,” said KX 93.5 Program Director Tyler Russell.“We aim for the first ‘KX 93.5 Festival of Music’ to be a very important fundraiser for our public radio station and these other great, local causes.”

Founded Oct. 2012, KX 93.5 is Laguna's only FM radio station. It’s a non-profit, non-commercial, radio station, focused on the music, the listener, and the local community. The format is “Generational Alt Rock” from the 1960s until now, featuring public affairs, surf reports, sports broadcasts and more in Laguna Beach. The station provides a voice and a creative outlet for Laguna Beach musicians and beyond that are largerly ignored by commercial radio.The Festival of Music on Nov. 2, 2013 will be from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The lineup including Orange County’s indie folk troubadour Matt Costa, Colin Hay from Men at Work, upcoming California folk singer Carly Ritter and Los Angeles indie duo Trapdoor Social.

All funds from the festival will benefit future programs for non-profits KX 93.5, Mauli Ola Foundation, Tony Hawk Foundation, and the Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach. The fesival will also include local vendors, sponsors, food trucks and beverage companies. Tito’s Vodka and Tres Sietes Tequila are the exclusive drink partners.  A live auction with autographed items will add to the evening’s spirit of giving.  

General admission is $35. Limited height beach chairs or blankets will be permitted for more comfortable seating on the grass.

 

Tivoli Terrace will host the limited “VIP Experience,” featuring complimentary cocktails, dinner, gift bags, entrance to the Nov. 1 pre-show, reserved seating and a meet-n-greet with radio hosts and talent. The “VIP Experience” ticket is $150.

For tickets

5 Ways to Tour Laguna Beach; Five for 5

Our Five for 5 blog series focuses on what to visit, see and do in Laguna Beach. This fifth and final story will be about how to tour Laguna Beach.

FLAVORS OF LAGUNA BEACH

On this two-hour culinary walking tour, you will literally get a taste of Laguna Beach and see why our beachside town is becoming a foodie destination. The Flavors of Laguna tour is a MUST DO for both locals and visitors. Along with the fantastic food you get to sample, you'll receive a mini history lesson on one of the oldest cities in Orange County. Each tour is different and Flavors of Laguna will gladly customize a tour for your group. Read more about this tasty tour here. 

Need to Know:

Flavors of Laguna

949-464-8830

Year-round tours available

On Facebook 

DOLPHIN AND WHALE WATCHING TOURS

See Laguna Beach's most spectacular residents, our marine mammals, on a whale/dolphin watching tour. Since Laguna is a protected marine environment, our shores are teeming with sea life like no other spot in Southern California. In fact, we have the highest population of dolphins off our coast than anywhere in the US (more than Florida, Hawaii and the Caribbean combined!) While on the tour, you're almost guaranteedto see dolphins, sea lions, and may even get a look at some of the more elusive whales or sunfish (read more about these huge prehistoric looking fish here). Tours are family-friendly and run year-round, but if you want to maximize your chance of seeing the whale migration, book your tour between May and October for the Blue Whales and November through April for the Gray Whales.

Need to Know:

CaptainDave's Dolphin & Whale Safari 

DanaWharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching 

NewportLanding 

Prices vary

LAGUNA BEACH WALKS

Want to get some exercise, see the sights and learn about Laguna Beach?  Laguna Beach Walks will give you all that, and more.  Janelle Naess, a local resident, tour guide and founder of Laguna Beach Walks, will escort you and your group around Laguna Beach during her two-hour walking tour. She provides interesting historical facts throughout the tour as you see historical landmarks and breathtaking sights and pieces of public art. Laguna is filled with hidden treasures just waiting to be discovered.

Need to Know:

Laguna Beach Walks

949-533-0889

Be sure to book your tickets in advance

On Facebook 

LA VIDA LAGUNA KAYAK TOUR

See Laguna from its most stunning vantage point, the Pacific Ocean. Your tour will begin with a lesson from a trained professional before you push off from Fisherman's Cove to explore the coastline. On your tour you'll be treated to sweeping views of hidden coves, the abundant life in and around a kelp forests and even a colony of sea lions on Laguna's famed Seal Rock. Tours are just over an hour and are suitable for kids as young as three. La Vida Laguna also offers paddle board and surf lessons, bike rentals and customized eco adventures.

Need to Know:

La Vida Laguna

949-275-7544

On Facebook

LOCA (Laguna Outreach for Community Arts)

Tour Laguna Beach in a non-traditional way; through your paintbrush and easel. Laguna Outreach for Community Arts, also known as LOCA, is a unique non-profit organization that advocates hands-on art education for all ages. Through a network of dedicated volunteers and artists, LOCA offers several mini art retreats for all ages and skill levels. From one-day programs exploring tide pools (http://lagunabeachinfo.blogspot.com/2011/04/art-sea-adventure.html) and using water colors to paint sea stars, to weekend retreats exploring art through a variety of mediums, LOCA offers something for everyone.

Need to Know:

LOCA

Easy to book online 

Custom retreats available

On Facebook 

By Anne-Marie S.