Art Star Awards: A fun-filled evening of entertainment, surprises, great food and naming of Artist of the Year
By THERESA KEEGAN
The film industry may have its Oscars. The music field its Grammys and Broadway its Tonys. But in Laguna Beach it’s all about the Louies. Yes, that coveted statue that is distributed during the Art Stars celebration, to a select few, recognizes outstanding achievements.
Coordinated by the Laguna Beach Arts Alliance, this year’s event on April 23 at the Festival of Arts grounds will even include a “Red Carpet” experience.
“LBAA is thrilled about this year’s program,” said Amy Dechary, chair of the Art Stars Committee. “It’s going to be a wonderful night. There is a great line-up of talented artists demonstrating their work throughout the evening, the incredible Chris Quilter will be the emcee, and of course, the nominees this year are all so phenomenal. I think they’re all deserving.”
LBAA, established in 2002, is a unifying organization in Laguna Beach, with 31 of the community’s various arts groups joining forces to organize, advocate and promote artists and art organizations. The Art Stars awards recognize one person to receive the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award – this year going to art historian Jean Stern. And there are also three nominees in each of four categories: Best Arts Program; Arts Patron of the Year; Best Arts Collaboration and Artist of the Year.
This year’s Artist of the Year nominees are Piper Bangs, Andrew Myers and Adam Neeley.
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Courtesy of Andrew Myers
Nominee Andrew Myers is known for his sculptural image work using dry wall screws to create elaborate images of everything from sports cars to profiles of famous people
“Being nominated is always an exciting occasion,” said Myers, “and is just a gentle reminder that people are watching.”
Myers, who operates a gallery on Forest Avenue and had a show last year at the Honaker Foundation, is best known for his work created by using drywall screws.
“I like all mediums of art,” he said. “I’m lucky enough to be able to draw, paint and sculpt.” Although he’s a sculptor at heart, Myers has been recently enjoying oil painting.
When he moved to Laguna in 1999, he enrolled in what is now known as the Laguna College of Art + Design, which essentially sealed his fate.
“I only realized art could be a career when I stepped foot in LCAD. For that moment, I am very grateful.”
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Courtesy of Piper Bangs
Nominee Piper Bangs, seen with some of her work, feels the Artist of the Year nomination brings her into the greater Laguna Beach art community
LCAD has also played a role in Piper Bangs’s career, and she feels this nomination recognizes her work not just within the college’s community, but also the greater Laguna Beach community as well.
“I’ve always seen the (art) community with a sense of admiration, almost like an outsider looking in,” she said. “This nomination…feels like a homecoming and that means a lot to me.”
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Courtesy of Piper Bangs
The art of Piper Bangs manipulates fruit to reflect female images
The oil painter came to Laguna to attend LCAD in 2020 and following graduation had a solo show at the Megan Mulrooney Gallery in Los Angeles featuring her body of work Fruiting Body. It’s inspired by a quote from Pierre-Auguste Renoir, which she learned about at LCAD: “My goal in painting the nude is to paint them as beautiful fruit.”
Bangs laughed at the time, and started a tongue-in-cheek parody, but the work evolved and included storytelling and reflected her own experiences as a young woman.
“My work often deals with…tensions between personal experience and traditional representations of the female form in Western European painting.”
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Courtesy of Adam Neeley
Nominee Adam Neeley creates intricate jewelry that is often inspired by nature
Jeweler Adam Neeley, who had a 25-year retrospective at the Laguna Art Museum last year was elated to be nominated as an Artist of the Year.
“I’ve always admired the organization (LBAA) and previous winners,” he said.
Neeley has been operating a gallery in town after moving here 20 years ago and has also exhibited at the Festival of Arts for 12 years.
“I’ve become friends with many fellow artists in Laguna’s wonderful art colony,” said Neeley. In addition, he finds inspiration in the area’s natural beauty.
“Laguna Beach has a large impact on my work,” he said. “I draw inspiration from the fascinating flora, the dramatic hues of the ocean and the gorgeous ombre of our sunsets. You can see these elements captured and reflected in my work, among the gemstones and unique metal work.“
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Photo by Sara Rey
Nautilus pearl and gold earrings were created by Laguna Beach jeweler Adam Neeley
While his work has been featured in the New York Times and other art platforms, the Art Star nomination close to home is appreciated.
“I’m deeply humbled,” said Neeley. “I look forward to joining the fellow nominees and the Art Alliance (at the awards night) to celebrate and nurture the continued tradition of excellence in art in Laguna Beach.”
The public is invited to join the Art Stars celebration on April 23 at the grounds of the Festival of Arts. Tickets to the fun-filled night include wine, heavy hors d’oeuvres and live entertainment. For more information or to order tickets, visit the LBAA website by clicking here.
