Where creative juices flow

Suzie Harrison

Perched in a scenic setting that drew many of the first artists to

Laguna in the early 1900’s, Laguna Canyon Artists, Laguna’s largest

artists colony, will be opening its doors to 25 artist’s studios for

its spring Open Studio Night event from 4 to 10 p.m. May 14.

Diverse art media are represented within the studio enclave,

making it convenient to experience everything from glass, mixed

media, abstract, sculpture, watercolor, ceramics, oil, acrylic,

jewelry, and contemporary art, just to mention a few.

Laguna Plein Air Painters Association also has its studio

headquarters on site.

Fiber artist Shelley Evans was one of the first to have a studio

in the complex, which was mostly used as commercial space at that

time.

“I’ve been here since ‘93; the week of the fire I just moved in,”

Evans said. “When the fire came I had to leave; I didn’t know if my

studio would be here or not when I returned. So it was an interesting

time to begin.”

Evans said the complex survived the mudslides, floods and other

natural diasters unscathed, which hit the canyon particularly hard.

“Over the years more artists began moving in,” Evans said. “The

typical artist was looking for work space and was drawn here because

it had an ambience, good light, good space and a good feel about it.”

Evans said the open studio events began about 10 years ago with

only a few artists.

“As more artists came, there’s been more interaction, involvement,

so it’s growing more and more,” Evans said. “We’re putting our energy

in it together.”

Evans said during the event many artists will be working on new

pieces for the Sawdust Art Festival or Festival of Arts summer shows.

Evans says visitors to the events often comment that they didn’t

realize art studios were located there.

“[With the studio events] we wanted to give them a reason to stop;

there’s quite a bit of talent,” Evans said. “It’s amazing that people

aren’t more aware of what’s in their own town.”

“My work is a little bit of myth, magic and folklore all spun

together, inspired from other cultures,” Evans said.

She creates “Spirit Keepers,” figurative forms that have been

created for centuries by primitive cultures to house a spirit. Evans

uses fabrics from Africa, India, Thailand and Indonesia to create

each unique figure.

“The fun part is we’re all serious artists ,” Evans said.

“But it’s nice when you hit a flat spot, and the creative juices

aren’t flowing; you can stick your head in another studio and get a

fresh point of view and share some creative ideas.”

Evans said the artists aren’t competitive; the artists have the

same focus on work, which offers a great environment to be creative.

The evening will also include, for the first time, a silent

auction. More than 25 of the participating artists have donated

artwork to benefit the Laguna College of Art & Design student

scholarship fund.

“The artists want to give back to the college because it’s such an

integral part of the community,” artist Sue Thompson said. “The

students come here, see the professional artists and get inspired;

they too can become a professional artist.”

Laguna College associate director of development, Tracy Otto, said

the college is grateful for Laguna Canyon Artist’s support.

“They’re really renowned Laguna Beach artists, for them to donate

their pieces is really special to us,” Otto said.

All proceeds from the auction will be designated to the

scholarship fund.

“It’s very important, over 85% of our students require some level

of financial assistance to continue their education,” Otto said.

The artwork for auction will be on display at Wells Fargo Bank’s

second floor gallery, 260 Ocean Ave, until the event. A pre-event

will take place at the bank from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday -- with a

drawing at 10:30 a.m. to win a $75 gift certificate toward artwork

available at the open studio event.

Open Studio Night will also have live music, performance art and

refreshments. Bidding for the auction will be from 4 to 7 p.m.

Laguna College interim president, Helene Garrison, will be in

attendance along with board trustees. At approximately 7:30 p.m.

Dennis Power, who will assume the post of college president July 1,

will be introduced.

Laguna Canyon Artists studios are located at 3251, 3275 and 2795,

unit C, Laguna Canyon Road. For information, call (949) 494-6277 or

go to https://www.lagunacanyon artists.com.