Laguna Plein Air 2024 Annual Invitational Artists
2024 Annual Invitational Artists; Photo by Mitch Ridder
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The Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (LPAPA) annual celebration of Laguna’s legacy that helped establish our city as an Artists’ Colony, was a resounding success. The foggy weather did not deter the professional painters during this past week’s 26th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational, with art sales exceeding last year’s sales revenue.

More from the organizers:

This year’s Invitational included 30 invited artists. More than $50,000 in cash and prizes were awarded during the Collectors pARTy, hosted at the Laguna Festival of Arts.

The weeklong celebration kicked off with a “Welcome to Laguna Beach” Paint Out with LPAPA members and supporters painting outdoors at Laguna’s Main Beach and Heisler Parks to celebrate the arrival of the invited artists and the role plein air painting has played in Laguna’s legacy.

Suzie Baker at the Quick Draw; photo by Mitch Ridder
Suzie Baker at the Quick Draw; photo by Mitch Ridder

The Quick Draw Painting Competition gave the plein air pros two hours to paint a masterpiece that was offered for sale in a Silent Auction. Tennessee based artist Jennifer Diehl was revealed as the Quick Draw Award Winner during the collectors party for her 9” x 12” oil painting titled “Go Time.”

LPAPA was delighted to collaborate with the Laguna Art Museum, which hosted its annual “Plein Talks.” The following Invitational Artists shared their artistic journeys and inspirations: Suzie Baker from Texas, Brienne M. Brown from Pennsylvania, Kathleen B. Hudson from Colorado, Joe Mancuso from California, and Michael Obermeyer (the only artist that has been invited to participate for 26 consecutive years) from Laguna Beach.

LPAPA 2024 Plein Air Magazine award, Suzie Baker, "Turning," oil, 16 x 20 in., photo by Tom Lamb
LPAPA 2024 Plein Air Magazine award, Suzie Baker, “Turning,” oil, 16 x 20 in., photo by Tom Lamb

LPAPA’s renown panel of art experts for the Wednesday evening Plein Talk included Julie Perlin Lee, Executive Director of the Laguna Art Museum, Jean Stern, Art Historian and Emeritus Director of The Irvine Museum, James Irvine Swinden, Chairman and Co-Founder of The Irvine Museum Collection at UCI, and Streamline Publisher Eric Rhoads. They shared their thoughts and insights on the past, present and future of plein air painting and the importance of collecting and supporting the artists. Both Plein Talk panels were moderated by LPAPA’s Vice President Celeste Gilles.

Left to Right: Celeste Gilles, Eric Rhoads, Julie Perlin Lee, Jean Stern, and James Irvine Swinden during a Laguna Invitational Expert Plein Talk
Left to Right: Celeste Gilles, Eric Rhoads, Julie Perlin Lee, Jean Stern, and James Irvine Swinden during a Laguna Invitational Expert Plein Talk; photo courtesy LPAPA

This year’s Laguna Art Museum Award was presented to Jason Li for his painting “Rocky High Tide.” The first Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational in 1999 was hosted at the Laguna Art Museum, and continued at the Museum through 2012. LPAPA is grateful for the museum’s renewed support and collaboration.

The annual Laguna Plein Air After Dark Nocturne Paint Out has become a favorite with locals gathering for a “Just Plein Happy Hour” celebration with the artists capturing the golden glow as the sun sets.

2024 Best in Show, Carl Bretzke, "Violet Sky Over Cliff Drive," oil, 16 x 20 in., photo by Tom Lamb
2024 Best in Show, Carl Bretzke, “Violet Sky Over Cliff Drive,” oil, 16 x 20 in., photo by Tom Lamb
Laguna Plein Air - Ryan Jensen
Ryan Jensen received the Kinsman Family “Best Laguna” Award for his painting “Golden Hour at the Courts.” Photo by Mitch Ridder

Over $50,000 in cash and prizes were revealed during Saturday’s VIP Sponsor Reception and Collectors Party, with the top prize being the highly coveted $10,000 “Best in Show” being awarded to Minnesota artist Carl Bretzke for his painting “Violet Sky Over Cliff Drive.” Carl is well known nationally for his nocturne paintings and his award winner wowed the Best in Show panel of judges that included Jean Stern, Emeritus Director of The Irvine Museum, Eric Rhoads, Publisher of Plein Air and Fine Art Connoisseur Magazines, and Dr. Sean O’Harrow, President/CEO of the Bowers Museum.

LPAPA’s $5,000 Award of Excellence was presented to Jennifer Diehl for her painting “Stop and Enjoy the View,” and Manon Sander was presented with the $2,500 Jean Stern Distinctive Merit Legacy Award for her painting “Landlubber.”

The $2,000 inaugural Heritage Award, sponsored by the Meriam Braselle family, was presented to Kathleen B. Hudson for “Top of the World.” Meriam has been a supporter of LPAPA since it was established in 1996 and is passionate about supporting LPAPA, the Artists, and bringing attention to and preserving our natural environment.

Signature Artist Debra Huse was recognized with the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award for her dedication to teaching and producing an extraordinary body of work, and contributions she has made to the art community and LPAPA over the years. Debra also received The Irvine Museum Award for her oil painting titled “Legacy” and the Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine Award for “Classic Harbor Beauty.”

LPAPA 2024 Fine Art Connoisseur award, Debra Huse, "Classic Harbor Beauty," oil, 12 x 24 in., photo by Tom Lamb
LPAPA 2024 Fine Art Connoisseur award, Debra Huse, “Classic Harbor Beauty,” oil, 12 x 24 in., photo by Tom Lamb

LPAPA’s Vice President Celeste Gilles, who has passionately served as a volunteer for more than a decade in support of LPAPA and its plein air mission, the Invitational, the LPAPA Gallery and the artists, was recognized with LPAPA’s 2024 Lifetime Member Award.

2024 Artists Choice Aimee Erickson with Eric Rhoads; photo by Scott Brasier
2024 Artists Choice Aimee Erickson with Eric Rhoads; photo by Scott Brasier
Laguna Plein Air future generation
2024 Laguna Invitational Future Generation Student Artist; photo by Mitch Ridder
2024 Laguna Invitational Next Generation Paint Out; photo by Mitch Ridder
2024 Laguna Invitational Next Generation Paint Out; photo by Mitch Ridder

For more information, please visit lpapa.org.


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