April 30, 2024 – On Friday, April 26, in true Academy-award style, over 170 community and cultural leaders came together to celebrate the 16th annual Art Star Awards. Held on the Festival of Arts grounds, this year’s red carpet reception and ceremony treated guests to pop-up musical and dance performances and live art demonstrations, all complimented by champagne and h’oeuvres by Starfish.
Celebrating the event’s theme of “The Future is Bright,” the Laguna Beach Art Alliance showcased youth performers and artists from Thurston Middle School, Laguna Beach High School, Laguna College of Art + Design and Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre as well as an exhibit of artwork by students at the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach.
“From funding scholarships to providing mentorship opportunities to offering a rich array of arts workshops and programs, LBAA’s member organizations go to incredible lengths to support youth and emerging artists,” says LBAA and event chair Amy Dechary. “We wanted to celebrate their dedication and hard work as well as shine the spotlight on our community’s talented young people.”
Artists and performers from LBAA member organizations donated their talents to create a one-of-a-kind event. Accompanied by vocalist Ginger Hatfield, Laguna JaZz kicked off the party and continued to dazzle the crowd throughout the reception with jazz standards such as “How About You,” and “The Lady is a Tramp,” with LBHS student Eliana Merritt performing an original dance to “Singin’ in the Rain.”
“Laguna JaZz was honored to provide the musical entertainment for this special evening which celebrates all facets of art here in Laguna Beach,” says Jay Kramer, Community Engagement Officer of Laguna JaZz & Laguna Community Concert Band. “We have loved collaborating with Eliana. It was very rewarding to see the blending of generations celebrating the arts.”
As guests arrived, they were greeted with a beautiful Pageant of the Masters re-creation of “Laguna Beach” by Mike Tauber. Ashelle Tuleja posed in the living picture set, which was provided by Pageant of the Masters Director Diane Challis Davy. LCAD artist Sofia Ketterer displayed her sculpture techniques while LBHS artist Sydney Ford painted. Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre actors Sofia Hope and Marina Strombom sang “Pulled” from their upcoming production of Addams Family, The Musical.
Pat Kollenda, former president of Laguna Beach Arts Alliance (LBAA), served as emcee of the event, and throughout the evening, keyboardist Roxanna Ward entertained the crowd with songs, jokes and impromptu banter with Kollenda.
The evening also featured a special film created by Art Stars committee member Michael Ervin and Festival of Arts Exhibiting artist Rick Graves.
“It was a very fun, engaging and stimulating event,” said Ervin. “It was wonderful to see the guests’ excitement as we highlighted through video the many Laguna Beach arts organizations that provide meaningful youth programs. That enthusiasm confirms the importance of having our children and young adults embrace the arts from an early age.”
And most importantly, the 2024 Art Star winners were announced:
★ Lifetime Achievement: G. Ray Kerciu
★ Best Arts Program: Lagunatics 30th Anniversary “XXX”
★ Arts Patron of the Year: Laguna Beach Seniors
★ Outstanding Arts Collaboration: Pageant of the Monsters (Pageant of the Masters/Festival of Arts)
★ Artist of the Year: Casey Parlette
The celebration closed with a heartwarming moment when the Arts Alliance unveiled a new award, which was given to Roxana Ward in honor of her many years of impactful work with local youth. Ward spent 20 years mentoring students as a choral and musical director at Thurston Middle School, Laguna Beach HIgh School, Orange County School of Arts, Irvine Valley College and Laguna Playhouse and has been a vital member of No Square Theatre and Lagunatics.
“I was completely surprised and overwhelmed with the honor of receiving the award!,” says Ward. “My heart is full and I can’t thank everyone enough. I love my village!”
This new addition to the Art Star Awards lineup will be named after Ward and will be given annually to an individual or organization whose work has enriched the lives of local youth and emerging artists.
As is tradition, No Square Theatre delighted the crowd by capping off the program with their performance of the spoof “LA-BAH-AH” (to the tune of “La Bamba”).
By the end of the night, the arts community had celebrated its stars and the spirit of collaboration and stewardship that has resulted in Laguna’s unforgettable arts legacy.
ABOUT THE WINNERS:
★ Lifetime Achievement: G. Ray Kerciu
Born in Detroit, G. Ray earned an MFA from Cranbrook. His life changed dramatically in 1962 when he found himself thrown into the Civil Rights Movement when riots over integration erupted at Ole Miss. G. Ray responded to the violence by exhibiting a series of paintings featuring the graphic language and images he witnessed. He was arrested and charged with obscenity and desecrating the Confederate flag. National press quickly picked up the story, and G. Ray was launched into the spotlight.
His works were then included in a Congress for Racial Equality exhibition at the Martha Jackson Gallery. He went on to head the printmaking department at Cal State Fullerton, where he created his “USA” series. For over 60 years, G. Ray has created paintings, prints, glasswork and sculpture that are housed in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian, the Hammer Museum and various institutions throughout the US. In 1996, he served as president of Save the Laguna Art Museum and successfully protected LAM’s integral, enduring place in Laguna Beach. And in 2013, CSU Fullerton’s Begovich Gallery featured a retrospective of his work. His remarkable lifetime journey has included a tireless pursuit of innovation in material, form and subject and an unwavering commitment to social justice.
★ Best Arts Program: Lagunatics 30th Anniversary “XXX”
Created in 1992, Lagunatics have poked fun at all things Laguna in every venue in town, providing a palette cleanser and playground for locals and raising funds for numerous community causes. Their 30-year anniversary show, “XXX,” featured a spectacular revival of Lagunatics’ silliest moments and greatest hits. It tackled topics including our fire-prevention goats, the beloved City Hall peppertree, those overfed sea lions at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, Montage Resort, and of course, PARKING. The show delighted audiences with its zany costumes and choreography as well as appearances by 2 dozen cast members, fostering fun and a sense of community.
★ Arts Patron of the Year: Laguna Beach Seniors
In 2023, Laguna Beach Seniors sponsored a multitude of impressive arts programs, bringing guests from across SoCal into the Susi Q Center. In January, they launched a new “Evening with an Author” series. Moderated by local writing phenom Marrie Stone, the program featured audience Q&A’s and book signings by bestselling authors Susan Straight, Janelle Brown, and Lisa See. Last summer, LB Seniors teamed up with Lyric Opera OC to offer free up-close-and-personal opera programs. And throughout the year, the center’s Gallery Q presented five art shows showcasing works by emerging, semi-professional, and professional OC artists of all ages.
★ Outstanding Arts Collaboration: Pageant of the Monsters
Resurrected every five years, this spooktacular Halloween event transforms the Festival of Arts grounds into an otherworldly destination. The ghoulishly fun affair embraces community-wide collaboration, with many LBAA organizations such as LAM, Laguna Art-a-Fair, the Sawdust Festival, Laguna Playhouse and LOCA Arts Education hosting hands-on activities such as the Exquisite Corpse Drawing Game and the crafting of lantern pumpkins, mixed media Frankensteins, and Cinderella crowns. On top of all this, volunteers from the Pageant of the Masters performed in the Maze of the Minotaur and local community groups submitted elaborate creations in the creepy scarecrow contest.
★ Artist of the Year: Casey Parlette
Casey is a sculptor whose successful career was built on his love for nature. A UCLA grad, he worked as a commercial diver, underwater photographer, and Laguna Beach lifeguard before becoming a full-time artist. In 2023, Casey completed projects for the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, Annaliese schools, Santa Ana Zoo, and the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo. He shared his passion and knowledge as an FOA exhibiting artist and LOCA speaker. Casey also unveiled his public art piece “Dawn Patrol.” Visible at PCH and Mountain, the piece features redwood pelicans with bronze wings soaring along a titanium wave–a model of exquisite craftsmanship and engineering.
The Laguna Beach Arts Alliance was established in 2002 as the result of an exciting partnership among more than 20 Laguna Beach organizations. The mission is to serve as an advocate for the arts, promote collaboration and networking among the arts organizations of Laguna Beach and serve as a united voice for the arts in the city. Members of the Arts Alliance include: City of Laguna Beach Arts Commission, Coast Film & Music Festival, Community Art Project, Festival of Arts, First Thursdays Art Walk, Friends of the Laguna Beach Library, Laguna Art-A-Fair Festival, Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Beach Craft Guild, Laguna Beach Live!, Laguna Beach Seniors, Laguna Beach Sister Cities Association, Laguna College of Art & Design, Laguna Community Concert Band, Laguna Dance Festival, Laguna Playhouse, Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, LagunaTunes Community Chorus, LB Cultural Arts Center, LOCA Arts Education, Music History Hall, Neighborhood Congregational Church, No Square Theatre, Pacific Vocal Series, Sawdust Art Festival, The Artists Fund, The Honarkar Foundation, Third Street Writers, and Visit Laguna Beach.
Follow us on Instagram @lbartsalliance and visit our Facebook page, Laguna Beach Arts Alliance.
