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 eclectic work from local artists who will be featured for the first-time at the annual show in July.
“Usually, the festival welcomes 10 to 15 new artists, but this year marks a record-breaking achievement with 21 new artists,” said Sharbie Higuchi, marketing director. “There’s loads of new talent to check out.”
Brian Haberlin’s watercolor on paper entitled, “Alice,” is dislpayed at foaSouth Gallery in Laguna Beach on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. His work and the work of 20 other local artist will be featured for the first time at Festival of Arts in July. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Festival of Arts workers finish setting up the foaSouth Gallery in Laguna Beach on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. From left: Macie Carney, Morgan Matthews, and Emma Zent. The gallery is promoting the work of 18 local artists who will be featured at Festival of Arts in July. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sian Poeschl’s glass piece, “Forest Clearing,” is on display at foaSouth Gallery in Laguna Beach on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. It will be featured for the first time at Festival of Arts in July along with 20 other new local artists. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
“Sunset Waves at Crystal Cove,” a watercolor on paper by local artist Jason Li, is displayed at foaSouth Gallery in Laguna Beach on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Morgan Matthews, with Festival of Arts, records the piece for social media. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Antoinette Barnum’s, “Girl in a Red Cap,” is displayed at foaSouth Gallery in Laguna Beach on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. She will be featured with 20 other local artists for the first time at Festival of Arts in July. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Morgan Matthews, with Festival of Arts, records Alla Bartoshchuk’s oil on panel, “Embrace,” for social media on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. It is one of 18 pieces displayed at foaSouth Gallery in Laguna Beach by local artists who will be new to the Festival of Arts in July. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sharon Williams’ “Anemone, Fourteen,” photography on canvas, is dislpayed at foaSouth Gallery in Laguna Beach on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Her work will be part of the 21 new local artists at the Festival of Arts in July.(Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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)
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 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, which will feature 120 artists, begins July 3 and will run until Aug. 30. For more information, visit foapom.com.
