I was ten years old when I attended my very first Pageant of the Masters show in Laguna Beach. I can still remember my heart fluttering as the intricate paintings with the use of real human beings were showcased in front of me. I was blown away, and I couldn’t believe how little girls like me were part of something so breathtaking.
Last week, I got a special behind the scenes tour of this year’s LIVE art show. After getting a glimpse, I was overwhelmed with the nostalgia. Once again I could hear the delightful music, feel my hair stand on end, and my heart palpitate.
The Festival of Arts Fine Art Show will celebrate its 86th year July 5 through September 1, 2018 in Laguna Beach, California.
If you have never experienced this sensational show, you MUST. It’s was a unique concept created by Lolita Perine, and was once criticized heavily by speculators. After the first “living art” expose, it drew attention almost instantaneously. In 1934 Roy Ropp took over the production and renamed it “Pageant of the Masters.” He is known as the father of the production, and died in 1974.
The Festival has been rated one of the top festivals in the nation and each year hosts 140 of Orange County’s most talented artists. Recent accolades include Orange County Register’s Best Place to Buy Original Art, Art Fair Calendar’s Top Five Art Fairs in the West and Top 5 Art Festival in the nation voted by USA Today readers. Live music, hands-on art activities, exhibitions of local student artwork and a wide variety of special events round out one of Southern California’s favorite outdoor summer festivals. The Festival of Arts is sponsored in part by Southern California Acura Dealers, Fidelity Investments, KOST Radio 103.5, Pavilions and the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel.
This year’s show is going to be sensational!
Thank you Pageant of the Masters for inviting me to get a sneak peak of Under the Sun. All opinions are my own.
2018 Theme
In the early years of the 20th century, a new generation of impressionists and plein air painters set up their easels outdoors and reveled in the natural beauty to be found as far as the eye could see. In the 2018 Pageant of the Masters, “Under the Sun,” theatrical magic, live music and light-hearted storytelling will honor Laguna’s own and other artistic pioneers from around the world who left their studios in search of new inspiration.
There’ll also be no shortage of fun and surprises as the Pageant acknowledges two local milestones: the 85th anniversary of “living pictures” at the Festival of Arts and the 100th anniversary of Laguna Art Museum.
The incredible show is a huge collaboration of artists, actors, volunteers and set designers. 
The Pageant’s makeup artists must recreate the creations show above.
This is an example of the almost finished look.
It’s mind blowing to see how this art show comes ALIVE!
Artist Sharon Jackman showcased her gorgeous vases at the sneak peek.
In addition to the variety of artwork, the Festival of Arts offers a wide range of daily activities that the whole family can enjoy. The calendar includes nightly live music, guided art tours, art workshops and weekly series including Concerts on the Green (sponsored by Cambria Estates Vineyard and Winery) and Art, Jazz, Wine, and Chocolate (sponsored by Charles Schwab). Several special one-day events will return this year, including the very popular Festival Runway Fashion Show and Family Art Day (sponsored by San Diego County Credit Union).
This “LIVE SHOW” is a MUST see!
JULY 7 – SEPTEMBER 1
Nightly at 8:30pm
Advance tickets $15 – $260
Dine At The Festival
The Laguna Beach Company Has Purchased Tivoli Terrace and Creates New Dining Destination, Terra Laguna Beach on Festival of Arts Grounds
The Laguna Beach Company has purchased longstanding Laguna Beach restaurant Tivoli Terrace and through Laguna Creative Ventures is creating a new dining destination, Terra Laguna Beach, on the Festival of Arts/Pageant of the Masters (FOA/POM) grounds. Opening this summer with help from the creative direction of [seven-degrees], Terra will reinvent the dining experience on the festival grounds for the thousands of seasonal and year-round visitors, while keeping with the worldwide recognition, professional and artistic excellence that the FOA/POM is known for.
