Challis Davy News Today

The Laguna Beach Arts Alliance held its 16th annual Art Star Awards on Friday at the Festival of Arts. Casey Parlette was named the Artist of the Year.

The Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters brought ghoulish delight to Laguna Beach on Oct. 27, 28, 29 and 31 during the long-awaited return of Pageant of the Monsters. The Halloween festivities attracted sold-out crowds of over 9,000 locals and visitors – shattering the previous record set during the last event in 2018. 

The Pageant of the Monsters, which is resurrected every five years, returns to the Festival of Arts with "Maze of the Minotaur" for four nights this month.

It’s been 90 years since the first “living pictures” – tableaux vivants – were presented as a novelty during the 1933 Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Since then, the Pageant of the Masters has come a long way to become the now world-famous theatrical celebration of art featuring stage illusions, live music, and narration.

Inspired by Pageant of the Masters' first parade of living pictures in 1933, known then as the "Spirit of the Masters," Laguna came alive again on Saturday, July 22, to celebrate 90 years of tableaux vivants with a parade to the Festival of Arts ground as a nod to where it all began.

The Artists Fund at Festival of Arts recently presented the Art-To-Go Best-in-Show awards to eight artists. The fundraising collection, themed “All Together Now,” features originals donated by Festival exhibitors to support the hardship fund for artists. Art-To-Go is available to visit daily through Aug. 27 on the Festival grounds.

The Artists Fund at Festival of Arts recently presented the Art-To-Go Best-in-Show awards to eight artists. The fundraising collection, themed “All Together Now,” features originals donated by Festival exhibitors to support the hardship fund for artists. Art-To-Go is available to visit daily through Aug. 27 on the Festival grounds.

The famed Laguna Beach living picture show, is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, with plans for a parade on July 22.

Preparations for the 2023 Pageant of the Masters are full steam ahead. This past weekend, Pageant officials held a three-day on-site casting call for this year's theme: Art Colony: In the Company of Artists. If you missed it, never fear. There's still time to participate. 

At the Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters annual membership meeting on Nov. 9, members were updated on the past season’s achievements and among the first to have a glimpse at the 2023 Pageant of the Masters. The event, held at the Festival’s Forum Theater, featured reports on the past fiscal year’s activities, an overview of the 2022 season, recognition of long-time volunteers and staff, and a preview of the 90th Annual Pageant of the Masters “Art Colony: In the Company of Artis...