Getting
artsy in Laguna Beach
By Kristen Force
On-line Forty-Niner
While
walking down the street, it is sometimes
possible to catch a glimpse of world-renown
marine life artist Wyland painting in his
studio.
He has been known to say that his love of
the city is due to its environmental nature
and its people. Wyland credits the atmosphere
of the area as a significant influence on
his development as an artist.
Attracting amateurs and professionals alike,
Laguna Beach is one of the top artist havens
in the country.
Just 30 miles south of Long Beach, the city
with a population of 26,000 is close enough
to make a day trip, yet far enough to feel
like a getaway.
Local businesses selling crafts, artwork
and pottery line the streets, mixed with
unique restaurants serving everything from
Chinese to Mexican to Hawaiian food along
the seven-mile coastline.
The Laguna Beach Art Walk provides a great
way for visitors to see the many art displays
throughout the city.
More than 40 galleries open their doors
on the first Thursday of each month to show
artist demonstrations, lectures and workshops.
Students interested in art may also want
to visit the Art Institute of Southern California,
which offers classes for adults and children
on weekends and during winter break.
The Institute offers four-year degrees in
fine arts, drawing, painting and illustration.
The city of Laguna got its name from the
Ute-Azteca Indian word for lakes: lagonas.
In 1904, the area became known as Laguna
Beach.
By the late 1920s, half of the residents
were artists who had migrated from San Francisco
to enjoy the balmy year-round climate.
Hollywood filmmakers followed the artists,
finding Laguna Beach to be as beautiful
on the big screen as it was in paintings.
Many movie stars of the time had homes in
the area, including Bette Davis, Judy Garland,
Charlie Chaplin and Mickey Rooney. Some
have been maintained and are still on display
for visitors.
For visitors interested in seeing the inspiration
for the artwork, the ocean is just steps
from the main streets of the city.
Laguna’s entire coastline has been declared
a marine life refuge to protect and preserve
the large variety of marine life forms that
exist in the area.
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