Paint Me Like One of Your French Girls
Written By: Priscilla Carcido
Photography Provided By: Festival of Arts Laguna Beach Pageant of the Masters
Most of us have only experienced art in museums while standing five feet away and being warned against flash photography. But the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach is changing the way we interact with art. In its 85th year, the festival will be hosting the Pageant of the Masters once again. The tableaux vivant, or “living pictures,” is a 90-minute performance where real-life people will be donning period costumes, makeup and wigs to remake some of the most iconic art pieces in history. The Pageant of the Masters will take place July 7 through Sept. 1, and we’re sharing our eight reasons why you have to buy your tickets ASAP!
Pageant of the Masters
You’re the Inspiration
This year’s theme is “Under the Sun” to honor artists who ventured out of their studios to find inspiration in everyday life. They set up their easels, mixed their paints and created works of art that are still talked about decades later. Get to know the artists and the landscapes that inspired them, behind these masterpieces.
Monet All Day
Make the most of your night at the Festival of Arts by taking an art class. With drop-in classes available daily, arrive early before the show and you can get your creative juices going. Who knows? You might tap into some unfounded potential.
No Last Supper Here
No need for dinner reservations across town. With two on-site restaurants and a wine bar, the Festival of Arts has you covered. Bring your foodie palate to Terra Laguna Beach or Gina’s Alfresco for some delicious bites. And did we mention the walk-up wine bar? Go ahead, treat yo’ self.
Date Night Done Right
Tired of the same old dinner and movie routine? The Pageant of the Masters is the perfect event to kick date nights with your S.O. up a notch. A glass of wine, a blanket of stars and classical art? You’ll feel like you’re living inside Van Gogh’s The Starry Night.
A Lil’ Something for the Lil’ Ones
Don’t feel guilty about leaving the kids at home; in fact, don’t leave them at home at all! The Festival of Art also offers classes for children. They can tap into their inner artist and get their hands dirty with paint and glue without getting your home dirty.
Up Close and Personal
If the 90-minute show isn’t enough to fill your creativity tank, use the rest of your time to meet the masters behind the masterpieces. You can greet the artists whose work is on display at the Festival of Fine Arts show!
Come for the Summer Vibes
With a segment called “New Waves,” the show is definitely finding inspiration in Laguna’s summertime vibes. Paintings and sculptures inspired by surfers, seagulls and the sea will be presented on stage. The pageant will also feature local artists, like the renowned landscape painter Roger Kuntz, in the show.
Stay for the Classics
For all the classical art purists out there, the Pageant’s got you covered. Paintings by Claude Monet and Leonardo da Vinci will be on stage ready for you to “Ooh” and “Ah” at.
Wait, They’re Alive?
You’re probably wondering how they can recreate some of the most iconic art pieces with living people on stage, but once the curtains draw your worries will be washed away like watercolor. These artists take their job seriously in executing a detailed, flawless performance that will have you wondering if what you’re seeing is real or merely a painting.
Festival of Arts Pageant of the Masters
650 Laguna Canyon Rd
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949.497.6582
Priscilla is a Southern California native who is studying English and Literary Journalism. Some of her favorite things to do are archery, traveling, and trying out new foods. Aside from school and writing for Locale Magazine, she is working on a young adult fiction novel and hopes to achieve her dream of publishing a book series.
