IN THE ARTS

Pageant plans casting call for 2009 show

The Pageant of the Masters is looking for men, women and children to volunteer for next summer’s show, “The Muse.” People of all sizes and ages are needed to be cast members in the presentation of tableaux vivants or “living pictures.”

The casting call will be from at 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 10, 2 to 5 p.m. Jan. 11, and 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 15 at Irvine Bowl Park, 650 Laguna Canyon Road.

Next summer’s performances will run nightly at 8:30 from July 8 to Aug. 31.

Call (949) 494-3663 for additional information.

During the casting call, prospective volunteers will be measured and photographed, and can meet the behind-the-scenes Pageant staff.

No theater experience is necessary. The only requirement is the ability to stand still and have fun.

“It takes more than 400 volunteers, both onstage and behind-the-scenes, to put on the Pageant,” said director Diane Challis Davy. “We wouldn’t have a show without our volunteers. They have so much fun backstage, volunteers return year after year to participate.”

Pageant volunteers are also needed for positions in the wardrobe, make-up and headdress departments, as well as cast area coordinators and refreshment servers, among others.

Students can earn credit toward community service requirements.

Tickets are on sale by calling (800) 487-3378 or going to www.Laguna FestivalofArts.org after Jan. 15.

The Festival of Arts is a nonprofit organization whose proceeds go to support the arts.

World-class cellist featured in festival

Noted cellist Lynn Harrell is the Mentor Musician in a weeklong blend of performances and educational events during the Laguna Beach Music Festival, now in its seventh year.

The festival will run from Jan. 18 to 24.

Art will combine with music this year for a Cello Art pilot program in which artists will decorate real cellos, which will be on display today until Jan. 26 and then auctioned off online.

Proceeds will benefit outreach educational programs of the Festival. The participating artists are Dee Challis, Patrizia DiDiomete, Rourk Gourley, Jacquie Moffat, Leah Vasquez and Philip Womack.

The festival is a project of Laguna Beach Live!, the Philharmonic Society of Orange County and the Laguna Chamber Music Society.

The 2009 festival celebrates the cello. Harrell “” soloist, chamber musician, recitalist, conductor and teacher “” has performed throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.

He will be joined by Victor Santiago Asunción, piano; Daniel Rothmuller, associate principal cellist with the L.A. Philharmonic; Frances Young, soprano from Colburn Conservatory of Music String Quartet; and a Clarinet Trio from UC Irvine.

The week features a Meet the Artists salon, educational events open to the public, master classes, a gourmet dinner at Claes Restaurant at the Hotel Laguna, and three concerts held at the Laguna Beach Artists’ Theatre.

The concerts will be at 8 p.m. Jan. 22 and 24, and 3 p.m. Jan. 25.

A complete schedule and tickets are available at www.lagunabeachmusic festival.com, or call (949) 715-9713 to request a brochure by mail.

? Art-A-Fair seeking artists for 2009

The Art-a-Fair Festival is seeking new artists for its 43rd annual season, which will run from June 26 to Aug. 30.

The Art-a-Fair is the only one of three summer art festivals in Laguna Beach that exhibits not only national, but international artists among its approximately 125 participants.

Jury day is Feb. 8.

Artists who wish to be considered are invited to bring artwork for jurying either in person between 8 and 11 a.m. that day at the Laguna Beach Boys & Girls Club, 1085 Laguna Canyon Road.

Mail submissions are due by Jan. 20. All mediums are available for jurying and artists may jury with more than one.

Three original works of art are required in each medium entered; two-dimensional pieces must be framed, wired, and ready to hang.

Every art form is represented at the show, including oil paintings, watercolors, acrylics, drawings, photography, digital art, mixed media, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, glass and wood.

Artists who have hand-delivered their work on Jury Day receive their scores and notification of acceptance or declination at pick up between 4 and 5 p.m. Feb. 8.

The Art-A-Fair also features entertainment, fine dining, demonstrations and workshops.

The atmosphere is lively and vibrant and patrons look forward to meeting the artist exhibitors, either casually in their booths or at demonstrations or lectures. More than 60,000 visitors are expected.

Forms and information about the specifics of submitting applications and work, including an Artist Prospectus and Application Checklist can be found at www.art-a-fair.com.

For more information, call (949) 494-4514.

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Festival of Arts accepting applications

Artists who would like to apply for the 2009 Festival of Arts “” California’s Premier Fine Art Show should submit a CD with three digital images per media and a completed application form by 4 p.m. Jan. 16.

The Festival of Arts accepts applications from artists residing in: Aliso Viejo, Balboa, Balboa Island, Capistrano Beach, Coto de Caza, Corona del Mar, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, Foothill Ranch, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest (El Toro), Mission Viejo, Monarch Beach, Newport Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

Artists must be able to show that they have resided in one of these cities for at least one year. Jurying fees are $40 per medium submitted.

The jurying process is two-phased. During the first phase, jurors will review three digital images per media submitted by applicants.

Artists accepted into this first phase will be notified by mail and invited to submit three finished pieces to a physical jury in Laguna Beach on Feb. 21.

The same panel of eight jurors will review the artwork.

An invitation will be extended to those who receive the highest scores during phase two to participate in the 2009 Festival of Arts exhibit.

The 2009 jurors are Yachiyo Beck (watercolorist), Gene Cooper (painter), Lynn Lowry (jeweler & stained glass artist), Carolyn Machado (mixed media), Miriam Shelton (sculptor), Julie Sample (photographer), Pat Sparkuhl (mixed media) and alternate juror Monica Dunham (ceramicist).

The 2009 show will run from July 5 to Aug. 31.

Applicants may download an application from www.LagunaFestivalof Arts.org or call (949) 464-4234.