Be Inspired by a Summer of Art ‘Magic’ in Laguna Beach

Eighty-five years ago, the United States was embroiled in the emotional turmoil of the Great Depression.  Even so, artists arriving in Laguna Beach were so inspired by Laguna Beach’s seductively winding coastline, the rambling hills and the vibrant and ever-changing ocean that a group of those artists banded together to find a way to raise spirits and, they hoped, sell some of their art.

In the summer of 1933, the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts was born when around two dozen artists hung their paintings on fences, trees and buildings along Laguna’s main street, hoping to lure visitors to the first Festival of Arts, while some artists opened their home-studios to the public. Music, colorful signs and banners, parades and entertainment added to the celebratory ambiance of the event, which turned Laguna Beach into one enormous art gallery. In 1935, “living pictures” were transformed into a full production with music, narration and painted backdrops, giving birth to “The Pageant of the Masters” which rapidly evolved into a popular summer tradition. Not surprisingly, the pageant now draws an audience of more than 150,000, and the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show prevails as one of the longest-running art exhibitions in the state.

The Pageant of the Masters has since evolved into an internationally acclaimed, fantastical theatrical-art event. With its own permanent home since 1935 in a canyon-cradled amphitheater, the pageant continues to defy optical reality. Guests who return year after year still depart marveling at how art masterpieces—from the “Mona Lisa” to the “Last Supper”—magically become living pictures complete with art-accurate script, professional narration, live orchestra and exquisite costuming.

Watch “Under the Sun” –under the stars

And, so began Laguna Beach’s famously unique Pageant of the Masters that takes place this year July 7 – September 1. Months earlier, the casting call went out to residents and volunteers who came by the hundreds to be transformed and posed to duplicate artistic masterpieces in living human recreations for this summer’s production, “Under the Sun,” while sitting in the canyon-set amphitheater under the stars. Interesting to note that although the Pageant of the Masters takes place in an outdoor amphitheater, it has only experienced two rain-outs since its beginnings.

The magical “Under the Sun” takes place July 7 – September 1 and is guaranteed to thrill with live music and storytelling that honors Laguna’s own artistic pioneers, as well as others from all over the world, who were lured from the confines of their art studios to paint within the outdoor natural beauty.

There is no doubt that creating the illusion in the Pageant of the Masters is akin to magic, let alone bridging the world of art and entertainment. The most fascinating part for most people is actually seeing the “transition” of a living person to an art piece which is done throughout the presentation.

Did You Know?

• Body make-up that creates the illusion of marble or bronze is purchased in five-gallon containers.
• One year, homing pigeons were released prior to the performance, and a disoriented pigeon later returned during the performance and landed on the shoulder of the living statue slathered in a gooey body make-up. The pigeon tried to maintain its stance on the “statue” although it kept slipping in the make-up, much to the horror of the audience.
• One summer, a skunk that was “partial” to the music came down from the surrounding canyon and into the orchestra pit.
• Actress Bette Davis, who was rumored to have appeared in the opening act of the pageant in the 1950s, never did. Although a long-time volunteer and fan, she hurt her foot and was unable to participate.
• A special costuming room exists for those over 18 years of age where many of the art world’s greatest statues and paintings that include some nudity are recreated on live models.
• Two volunteer casts, a blue cast and a green cast, alternate work schedules for the show that runs 56 straight nights in the summer.
• Cast members range in age from 4 to 84 with kids, parents and grandparents sometimes all taking part in a production. Only fifteen percent of the volunteers are from the local area. They come from as far away as San Diego, Los Angeles and Riverside.
• “The Last Supper” remains the closing tableaux each year, due to its overwhelming audience popularity. Some of the casts for the closing act have been a part of the Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece for more than three decades.

More art, concerts and talks

The Festival of the Arts, one of the nation’s most acclaimed juried fine art shows, is the mother company that produces the Pageant of the Masters as well as the Festival of Arts fine art show each summer. The Festival has been rated one of the top festivals in the nation and each year hosts 140 of Orange County’s most talented artists. Recent accolades include Orange County Register’s Best Place to Buy Original Art, Art Fair Calendar’s Top Five Art Fairs in the West and Top 5 Art Festival in the nation voted by USA Today readers. Live music, hands-on art activities, exhibitions of local student artwork and a wide variety of special events round out one of southern California’s favorite outdoor summer event.

In addition to the variety of artwork, the Festival of Arts offers a wide range of daily activities that the whole family can enjoy. The calendar includes nightly live music, jazz concerts, wine and chocolate pairings, guided art tours and art workshops. Several special one-day events will return this year, including the very popular Festival Runway Fashion Show and Family Art Day.

Fascinating and informative discussions with the Festival of Arts exhibitors will be held every Wednesday during Art Talks. Also back by popular demand, will be the music series, “Step into the Spotlight,” which brings to center stage some of those amazing voices that are usually seen (and heard) in the background. There’s an extraordinary lineup of back-up singers or backgrounds vocalists who will “step into the spotlight” this summer. For families, Art and Story Time, is a weekly series for children 5 and under. Every Monday will feature a different children’s book read aloud and a hands-on art project, along with special surprise visits from illustrators, book characters and more.

Get your passport

Passport to the Arts may be purchased for only $29 and Includes unlimited admission all summer long to the Festival of Arts, the Sawdust Art Festival and Laguna Art-A-Fair. Enjoy works of art by more than 500 artists, 300 hands-on workshops, dozens of special events, plus a one-time, all-day free parking pass with each Passport purchased. Order online at www.LagunaBeachPassport.com. Passports also available for purchase on-site at each festival location during the summer. Offer excludes Pageant of the Masters. Valid June 29 – September 2, 2018.

Pageant of the Masters tickets are available at www.foapom.com . Note that a pageant ticket includes free unlimited admission to the Festival of the Arts all summer long.

Make it a Magical Stay

The night-time pageantry makes coming just for the performance a very late night, so plan to stay and enjoy all of the art and beauty of Laguna Beach. If you want to continue the magic of the pageant and personally experience the beauty that inspired plein air painters, plan to stay at The Inn at Laguna Beach. Situated ideally just a short walk to the village’s shopping, galleries and restaurants and steps to Main Beach is the intimate hotel perched on the Laguna cliffs, overlooking the glistening Pacific Ocean.

The boutique hotel has undergone a multi-million dollar, environmentally-sensitive renovation in recent years, now offering 70 beach chic appointed rooms, a dazzling roof-top terrace with fire pit and newly renovated, third-floor swimming pool. The well-appointed guest rooms feature plush pillow-top beds with 250- thread count linens and spa-inspired bathrooms. All rooms feature a flat screen television, Wi-Fi access and king, queen, double and twin beds.

Almost like your personal “beach house,” the inn rolls out hospitable amenities and special touches throughout your stay. Besides unlimited high-speed internet access, breakfast in the room is available each day and beach towels, chairs umbrellas, boogie boards and beach toys are there for your day on the sand. Join fellow guests each evening for a wine reception on the fourth-floor open-air terrace for sipping with vistas of the summer sun slipping down to touch the waves. If cookies and milk are your preference, you’ll find them (first come, first serve) in the lobby each evening as well.

When you return from dinner, discover a hot pot of chamomile tea to help you drift off, along with the soothing cadence of the waves crashing just below. Morning coffee is available in the lobby each a.m. or you can brew in your room. Take the morning cup to your ocean-front terrace, along with your hotel-supplied binoculars, and look for migrating sea life and early surfers bobbing on the waves. This is real magic.

Book your stay at The Inn at Laguna Beach here.

More Laguna Beach

Get more information on Laguna Beach happenings, from restaurants to recreation, here.

Photos courtesy of the Festival of the Arts and The Inn at Laguna Beach