Commerce meets arts

Suzie Harrison

The marriage of art and auction can evoke a feeling of exclusivity --

but that formula changes when the pairing occurs at Laguna Art

Museum.

This year’s 22nd annual art auction set for Oct. 23 will bring

hundreds of established California artists’ work to collectors for an

evening of wine, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and art at reasonable

prices and all for a good cause.

“We have added to the list of artists every year,” Chairwoman

Melinda Stanton said. “There is a little bit of everything -- clay

and pottery, oils, watercolors -- there’s a real variety and balance

between contemporary to plein air -- something for everyone. [Works]

run the gamut from $1,000 to $10,000.”

All the money raised from the event, which includes both a live

and silent auction, will go toward funding the museum’s education

programs.

“Laguna Art Museum is one of the first museum’s to come up with

the idea to auction art.” Stanton said. “It’s developed a tremendous

following. The museum benefit sells art in order to give money back

to art education, it was its original intent and it still is.”

Art education is mostly aimed at children in the community, but is

branching out to include more adults.

“Last summer we devoted the lower level of the museum to a

learning center and gave academic memberships to every school child

in Laguna Beach to come to the museum any time,” Stanton said. “We

really want to reach out to kids.”

Community outreach is another new development. Community groups

can use the museum free of charge for their own purposes. Emerald Bay

Neighborhood Assn., the Soroptimist Club, SchoolPower, the MOMS Club

Laguna Beach and other local organizations have booked events for

members and friends.

The museum is also open to locals free of charge for the week

leading up to the auction.

“We’re trying to improve on an old format and start some new

things this year,” Stanton said. “If you can’t be there, you can buy

a bidding paddle for $50 and bid on any silent or live auction item.

If you have the high bid, you can get the piece.”

Museum Director Bolton Colburn said some of the artists have been

a part of the auction since its inception, in large part due to the

relationship between the museum, the artists and the community.

“They want to support Laguna Art Museum because the focus is on

California art,” Colburn said. “It validates art and artists in

California.”

One of the newer artists participating is contemporary artist Adam

Mars, 23. Mars has art in his blood, his grand father was involved

with Disney and his grandmother has been involved with Laguna Art

Museum for as long as he can remember.

Mars’ parents have always fostered creativity and encouraged him

from a young age to see his talent through, to continue and progress.

“About two years ago, I was on the installation crew at the museum

for the Surf Culture exhibit and worked a week or so with them,” Mars

said.

Prior to that, Mars got to know Colburn and chief curator Tyler

Stallings.

“I asked Tyler to look at my stuff and he seemed to be pretty

interested,” Mars said. “He invited me to be a part of the auction

last year. That was awesome, especially great for my grandma and I to

share something at the museum.”

Popular artists in this year’s show include Roger Armstrong,

Cynthia Britain, Laddie John Dill, Jorg Dubin, Anne England, Paul

Darrow, Sandow Birk, Eric Mondriaan and Myrella Moses, Ellen Rose,

Julita Jones, Carolyn Reynolds, Kate Riegler, Vladimir Sokolov and

hundreds more.

Tickets are $100 and the event begins at 6 p.m. For information,

call (494) 494-8971 ext. 200 or go online to https://www.lagunaart

museum.org. Laguna Art Museum is at 307 Cliff Drive.