The Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach, home to the prestigious Festival of Arts Fine Art Show and iconic Pageant of the Masters, is celebrating the end of a decade by reminiscing their top ten major moments of the past year. From multiple awards, to scholarship grants, new artists and advancements in technology, the Festival of Arts proudly presents the top memorable moments from 2019.
PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS – THE TIME MACHINE
The 2019 Pageant of the Masters wow-ed audiences with re-creations of famous works of art by artists like Vermeer, Dali, Rockwell and Da-Vinci. Taking inspiration from the HG Wells Novel and the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci’s death, Pageant scriptwriter Dan Duling wove the storyline of a time traveler throughout the entire production (a first in Pageant history) and director Diane Challis Davy and technical director Richard Hill added more effects than ever from flying UFO’s, videos, laser beams and more.
FESTIVAL OF ARTS WELCOMES NEW ARTISTS AND NEW ACCOLADES
In 2019, the Fine Arts Show welcomed twenty-three first time exhibitors – more than ever before! These new artists came from all over Orange County and specialized in a wide range of mediums including painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media and more. This year, the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show was named Best Fair/Festival by the Orange County Register and one of the top art fairs in the nation by Art Fair Calendar.
PAGEANT VOLUNTEER DONATION
We received an extraordinary donation from life member and former Pageant volunteer Jackie Ludlum. In memory of her Pageant friends (Dorothy Nelson, Frank Wales, Shirley Abel and Mogens Abel), Jackie generously donated funds which were utilized for the Pageant’s new digital sound board, renovation of showers in the wardrobe department, student art scholarships and Pageant tickets made available to veterans. We thank her for her generosity and celebration of the many friendships and memories made as a Pageant of the Masters volunteer.
MAKING HEADLINES
The Pageant of the Masters and Fine Arts Show was featured in many major publications this past year including USA Today, Forbes, Sunset Magazine, Los Angeles Times and NBC’s Today. Taking over the backstage area, Today Show reporter Natalie Morales interviewed Pageant Director Diane Challis Davy about the 2019 show and then subbed in as a volunteer cast member in front of a live audience. Natalie went into make-up and costume to be Cleopatra’s handmaiden in the painting “Cleopatra on the Terraces of Philae.”
CHILDREN’S CREATIVITY CELEBRATED
Artist of all ages were recognized with accolades for their work this past year at the Junior Art Exhibit. Also receiving awards was 7-year-old ceramics student Fritz Gfeller who attended the Festival of Arts Youth Art Classes. He received multiple national honors and recognition for his piece titled: “Master Fish.” He was selected from hundreds of entries nationwide and received Honorable Mention from National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA), the ICAN Elementary Award, and a Bailey Pottery cash award.
ENTERTAINMENT FOR ALL – ALL SUMMER LONG
The Festival of Arts continues to build on its nationally and critically acclaimed reputation as one of the finest outdoor art venues by welcoming new entertainment and workshops to the agenda for 2019 summer season. Popular workshops included Pints, Pinots and Prints and the Youth Art Class series. Attendees enjoyed the Concert on the Green series all summer long, with performances by top artists including Grace Kelly, whom Vanity Fair dubbed as a millennial shaking up the jazz world. Always a crowd-pleaser, the Festival Runway Fashion wow-ed audiences with one-of-a-kind, recycled fashion made by Festival artists.
A STAR-STUDDED FUNDRAISING SPECTACULAR
Grammy-winning, Oscar-nominated singer/songwriter Melissa Manchester performed to an excited crowd at our annual Celebrity Benefit Event. Following the concert, the winning ticket was drawn for a 2019 Acura RDX and attendees enjoyed a special performance of the Pageant of the Masters, “The Time Machine,” introduced by award-winning actor, best-selling author and tv host John O’Hurley. The event grossed approximately $240,000 for future arts programming.
ART IN THE COMMUNITY
The Festival of Arts made a splash at the foaSOUTH Gallery this summer with a giant, 40-foot long photography piece taken by 12-year exhibiting artist Rick Graves. Featured on KTLA, OC Register, and more, Grave’s work showcased his unique photography captured by his custom-built camera system including the three-wall-length piece titled “Hana Highway General Store.”
PAGEANT DIRECTOR RECOGNIZED FOR ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY
Pageant of the Masters Director Diane Challis Davy was named one of the Top 10 Female Industry Innovators of 2019 at the 10th annual Entertainment Technology Awards. The Advanced Imaging Society awarded Diane the society’s prestigious Lumiere Statuettes for her leadership, contributions to the community and creative use of technology.
ARTS GIVES BACK
Festival of Arts awarded $79,600 in academic scholarships and $58,500 was donated to the Masters at Giving program to provide Pageant tickets to veterans, seniors, military personnel, and youth groups. Together, the 2019 Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters attracted over 220,000 people. The Festival employed over 400 people during the summer and created career and income opportunities for artists.
The Festival of Arts team would like to thank all the artists, volunteers, staff and patrons for helping to make 2019 one of their most memorable years yet. Looking ahead to 2020, the Pageant of the Masters production, Made in America, will be presented nightly from July 8 – September 3, 2020 and advance tickets are now on sale starting at $20 per person. To stay up to date on all things Pageant of the Masters and Festival of Arts, follow the Festival at @FestivalPageant and visit www.foapom.com.