Whose O.C. is it? 9 artists share their visions of the ‘Best Coast’

A man sits on a beach watching the ocean waves, while another plays the acoustic guitar as a woman nearby snaps photographs.

A skateboarder does tricks under a dark sky and bright moon.

But then ramshackle buildings sit alongside high rises.

All three images are interpretations of coastal Orange County.

They are part of an installation of works by nine Orange County artists called “Best Coast: Artists Reflect on Orange County” at Golden West College in Huntington Beach.

“You kind of get a sense of what it means to live in coastal Orange County from this exhibit,” said Ed Fosmine, an art history professor at Santa Ana College, who teamed up with friend Erik Caruso to curate the exhibit. “Many of the works include people at the beach, people by the pier, and I also was hoping to show the range of lifestyles of coastal Orange County.

“Some of the pieces have serene and abstract landscapes, for example, or images of water. There are also images of beautiful people on the beach, the punk rock scene and suburban stucco houses.”

Through their depictions, in paintings, sculptures and photographs, the nine artists largely capture the beach vibes of O.C.’s coastal cities, as well as more alternative lifestyles, like the punk rock music and action sports scenes.

Participating oil painter Taylor Montague said his work represents the Surf City he grew up in.

“I’ve seen it go from this really humble beach bungalow feel to a rapidly growing urbanized location,” said the 34-year-old Huntington Beach resident. “I like that it’s getting bigger, attracting people from all over and increasing chances of commerce, but I also kind of see it as this sort of novelty of the West. I just really love the lifestyle that exists here.”

Fosmine, who used to teach at Golden West College, and Caruso hope to draw people from the community to the college and expand the arts scene in Orange County.

“It’s important that artists within the area have an outreach through the school and be closer to home than Los Angeles,” Caruso said. “I think it’s pretty exciting that Ed was trying to create something more local so that could happen.”

Caruso, who lives in Huntington Beach and teaches elementary school in Paramount, said the show is also beneficial for younger students who may be more artistically than academically inclined, to let them know they have a place to thrive in the college world.

“I think the better the gallery can be at the college level, that’s going to inspire more kids from the Huntington Beach area to go to Golden West,” he said.

A portion of the proceeds from artwork sales will go to Golden West.

Caruso said the artists in the show have varying skill sets and experience levels, which gives viewers a chance to “focus on the art and not the name.”

Kohjiro Kinno, who has been a professional photographer for four years, said “Best Coast” is the second show his work has been featured in.

He said his photographs depict the surfing lifestyle.

“Orange County is a beach community and it’s been my home for much of my life,” said the Long Beach resident who grew up in Fountain Valley. “When I hear Orange County, it just reminds me of the ocean and the coast.... I think this show is an interesting mix, and it all works well together.”

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IF YOU GO

What: “Best Coast: Artists Reflect on Orange County”

Where: Golden West College Community Art Gallery, 15744 Goldenwest St.

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays,

Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 24

Cost: Free

Information: Goldenwestcollege.edu/finearts/gallery.html