Macie Carney, Festival of Arts events assistant, records newly displayed art at foaSouth Gallery in Laguna Beach on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Local glass artist Cody Nicely’s work is one of 18 pieces on display. The artists will be part of 21 others featured for the first time at Festival of Arts this July. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Festival of Arts opened its Fresh Faces 2024 exhibit this week in Laguna Beach, offering a sneak peek at an eclectic range of work from local artists who will be featured for the first-time at the annual show in July.
Each year the Festival of Arts typically adds 10 to 15 new artists, “but this year there are 21 newly juried artists,” said Victoria Elder-Walker, who represents the festival. “So much new talent.”
Of the new artists, 18 have pieces in the Fresh Faces exhibit now on display at the foaSOUTH satellite gallery. Among them is Brian Haberlin, whose “Alice” is a watercolor on paper, showing a woman in dreadlocks appearing dream-like and almost three dimensional. Her mystery invites one to look a little closer, a little longer.
The former comic book artist from Laguna Niguel, best known as the co-creator of Witchblade, said he transitioned into the world of fine arts because his “restless spirit” called him to explore new horizons.
His aim, he said in his artist’s statement, is simply “to create images with some sense of story,” and that will lead viewers to ask what is happening in and around the scene.
Providing a “a platform for countless artists to share their work with the world” has been the cornerstone of the festival since its creation in 1932, said Director of Exhibits Christine Georgantas.
Fresh Faces 2024 will be on display until June 10, with a special reception to meet the artists on from 6 to 7 p.m. on May 2, coinciding with the First Thursday Art Walk. The event is free and open to the public.
The Festival of Arts begins July 3 and will run until Aug. 30. For more information, visit foapom.com.
