Art Roundtable
By LB Magazine Staff | July 08, 2010 1:45 PM
Demossa Gallery
Mahvash Mossaed, Owner/Director
During summer, visitors come from all sorts of climates and faraway places to experience all the wonders and magic of Laguna Beach. I think we should celebrate the summer with them and offer lighter, brighter subjects and more cheerful colors in lines, designs and subjects. We should try to show the kind of art that says “summer is here” and expresses that life is beautiful in Laguna Beach. This is how my gallery adjusts for summer visitors.
I try not to be boring and instead try to bring more exciting and different art. As a gallery owner and director, I have to be passionate and excited about what I show. If I’m excited about the art, then I believe there is a good chance that visitors will also be.
This summer, exhibits include Australian photographer James Tapscott, whose work explores the link between matter and energy; in June, Eva Armisén’s figurative, whimsical and expressive paintings and drawings; in July, works from the great ceramic artist Porntip Sangvanich; and in August, Jovan Karlo Villalba’s powerful paintings. We will screen an award-winning independent film based on the poetry and paintings of one of our major artists, and host book signings and exhibitions by authors and artists. We are also open longer hours and additional days.
JoAnne Artman Gallery
JoAnne Artman, Owner
For the summer, we try to display a mix of our artists, allowing visitors to get a feel for the unique diversity the gallery carries. We also make sure the work displayed has a variety of price points to create a greater audience of buyers.
We will exhibit Korean artist Rimi Yang in June and July. Rimi is an international artist who specializes in beautiful mixed-media paintings combining both the figurative and abstract. We will be showcasing Rimi’s work with Canadian artist James Verbicky, who paints stunning abstract work. In August, we will vary our groupings to reflect a mix of artists and create a showing of what we offer here.
We are open an additional day during summer. We participate in First Thursdays Art Walk. We also try to advertise in national publications to access collectors across the country, and provide information and marketing materials to local hotels that accommodate summer visitors.
We will participate in the Santa Fe Art Fair in July. It is the art fair’s 10th anniversary, so we are very excited to be involved in such a great event. Finally, we will be at San Diego’s Art Fair in September. Our involvement in these fairs is just one of the many ways we try to appeal to national collectors and local visitors.
Mandarin Fine Art
John Tabacek, Director
Our gallery is different than almost every other gallery in the United States as we focus exclusively on artwork coming out of mainland China. Many of our artists are professors at major art universities and have auction history from Sotheby’s and Christie’s. The majority of our clients are from out of state.
In summer, we’ll probably have one or two shows with a couple of artists and bring the artists here from China, which is really something special. We’ll have more new art from these particular artists. Mostly this summer it is about just keeping the art fresh.
We do Art Walk throughout the summer and the year, and are open more hours and days in summer. We have some of our art installed at Laguna’s Asian-fusion Five Feet Restaurant for several weeks beginning in May. We will probably have an Asian antiques show this summer as well. We have an interesting selection of different antiques from a private collection.
We were having traditional Chinese tea ceremonies here and are planning to reinstitute that and do it maybe once a month, which will start this summer. We’ll go to the hotels and let them know about it. We’ve had Feng Shui workshops. What we do is very unique—we do more than just sell art. We bring the culture of mainland China here.
Swenson Fine Art
Laurie Swenson, Owner
I am so excited to have my gallery in this space, which used to be the old Sherwood Gallery. It is a great location with amazing drive-by and foot traffic surrounded by wonderful restaurants. In light of the location, increased visitors and longer daylight hours, staying open later in summer will be advantageous for sure.
During summer, I have planned for my main stable of artists, as this location provides such a diverse crowd. I will often have artists on hand at the First Thursdays Art Walk. Also, I have clients who come to town every year to enjoy the Pageant of the Masters, and they make a point to come by and visit the gallery.
Since I have both two- and three-dimensional art, people love to pop in and see what’s new. I have a great line of jewelry from a Laguna Beach mom and daughter team, Pat and Torii Cooper, that has been catching the eyes of locals and visitors. I also have a mixed-media collection of metal and ceramic wall art coming in early June from Malotte and Rae that is fun and affordable. Also coming is work by Cheryl Lommatsch, who does truly unique mixed-media birds. And K. McCloud will be joining me soon as well. There is more to come throughout the summer.
