LOCA looks ahead to 2024 with new classes and new location
LOCA’s newest teaching location is in the south end of Laguna Beach, easily reached from Downtown, Dana Point, Laguna Niguel and San Clemente.
The expansion allows LOCA to offer “extended learning” series of classes whereby students, both adults and families, can build a “toolbox of skills” over several weeks.
LOCA students will enjoy the hilltop location, panoramic ocean views and free onsite parking. Laguna Beach Community and Recreation Center, 30516 S. Coast Highway. Enter on Cardinal Drive, just south of Nyes Place.
A year in review
LOCA sends a big happy holiday and thank you to everyone who made 2023 one of the best years ever! They produced 170 art classes serving 1,500 students, 350 art lovers attended their Art Talks lectures, and 300 families created art at their free pop-up studios throughout the community.
Give a full year of art experiences - in one tiny box!
Know someone who loves art and Laguna Beach? Surprise them with a LOCA 2024 membership and they’ll enjoy a full year of art experiences of their choice! Your $50 purchase ensures them a bounty of benefits including free admission to six LOCA Art Talks lectures, an exclusive Membership Sunday Brunch and Art Talk, a shout-out feature in their eNewsletter, half-priced registration to LOCA’s workshops taught by well-known Laguna Beach artists throughout the town – and much more.
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Courtesy of LOCA
Give the gift of art experiences for a full year
What they’ll get:
Your thoughtfully chosen gift will be presented as a charming reusable box, topped with a LOCA pencil, and elegantly wrapped with a bow. Inside is a 2024 membership card listing the fantastic benefits. A $250 value!
Buy it now for $50:
Use LOCA’s secure and easy “Gift a Membership” red checkout button on their membership page by clicking here. Your package will arrive by mail in 4-7 business days.
For more information:
For special requests feel free to email KC at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and kindly leave a phone number and best hours to call.
Check out all the Custom Art Escapes LOCA has to offer – paint donuts, flowers and self-portraits, take a family art class, create a fall centerpiece, design your own holiday cards, walk the city and more…there’s something for everyone.
Courtesy of LOCA
Projects have included “Bioluminescence” inspired by recent ocean phenomenon
–Families Love LOCA at the Library
LOCA’s Family Art Classes at Laguna Beach Public Library have been a smashing success. The “happy hour” 4:30-5:30 p.m. timeslot has made it convenient for parents and kids to enjoy a creative learning space, led by Allison Keefe. “We encourage parents and kids to work together,” Keefe said.
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Courtesy of LOCA
Oil Painting with Lisa Rainey
–Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Oil Painting with LOCA teaching team starting on January 12 and continuing for eight consecutive Fridays.
Community and Recreation Center, 30516 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach.
Eight Consecutive Fridays: January 12, 19, 26, February 2, 9, 16, 23 and March 1. Enjoy a relaxed painting experience while learning new tips and techniques each session. Value, composition, color mixing and brushwork will be the focus of these workshops to create paintings that capture the beauty of nature in California.
Whether you are an experienced painter who just wants to work alongside other artists or you have no experience painting, all levels are welcome. For ages 18+.
Members: $350. To register, go to www.locaarts.org.
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Courtesy of LOCA
Watercolors with Lydia Delgado
–Tuesday, Jan. 16, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Connect With Nature Through Watercolor with Lydia Delgado starting January 16 and continuing for three sessions.
Community and Recreation Center 30516 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach.
Three Consecutive Tuesdays: January 16, 23, 30, 2024 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Capture natures beauty through watercolor. You will be amazed of how fun and easy learning to paint in watercolors can be. The fundamentals of watercolor painting will be taught. Learn the techniques that will enable you to capture the liveliness and freshness that only watercolors can give. Professional artist Lydia Delgado will be teaching her unique, organic style in color and design. Class open to all levels of adults.
Materials will be provided.
Members: $150. To register, go to www.locaarts.org.
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Courtesy of LOCA
Hands on Clay with Sherry Bullard
–Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Hands on clay
Hands On! Creative Clay with LOCA teaching team starting January 17 and continuing for six sessions.
Community and Recreation Center 30516 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach.
Six Consecutive Wednesdays: January 17, 24, 31 and February 7, 14, 28, 2024 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. (skip Feb. 21, 2024). Learn hand-building techniques in this fun, creative clay class. Each week a new technique, coil, pinch, slab and sculpture will be introduced with a step-by-step demonstration. Registrations costs include clay, glazes and kiln firing fees.
Ages 6-11. Fee: $225. To register, go to www.locaarts.org.
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Courtesy of LOCA
Art on the Wild Side
–Monday, Jan. 22-March 4, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Art on the Wild Side
South Laguna Community and Recreation Center
Eight consecutive Mondays (skip February 19): Inspired by nature conservation, Elizabeth McGhee and Allison Keefe will teach drawing, collage, printmaking and painting of subjects native to local coasts and canyons, including insects, plants, animals and tidepool life.
Ages 6-adult. Fee: $195 includes all materials. 30516 S. Coast Highway with free onsite parking. To register, go to www.locaarts.org.
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Photo by Mary Gulino
Heisler Park Walking Tour of Public Art
–Custom Art Escapes
LOCA continues to create exciting events and art escapes for both kids, families and adults to enjoy. Now, you can setup your very own art experience this summer. There are custom workshops for adults and groups, kids and families, and advanced sessions for those who want to improve their artistic skills with personal instruction. Designed for beginners to the most advanced student, lessons are in various Laguna locations, can be in your home or you can take a Zoom class.
“LOCA Certified” artists are offering classes and tours in a variety of Laguna Beach locations. Check out all the adventures and be inspired to receive individual attention, a wonderful time and unique access to some amazing artists. “Custom” Art Escapes are great activities for locals and visitors seeking unique art experiences in Laguna Beach.
This is just a sampling of the “Custom” Art Escapes LOCA offers, for the full listing, go to www.locaart.org/custom-art-escapes/.
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Photos courtesy of LOCA
Heisler Park Walking Tour of Public Art
–Heisler Park Walking Tour of Public Art
Instructor: Mike Tauber
Enjoy a walk through this spectacular ocean-front park and get a close-up view of more than 14 works including sculptures, seating and floor murals in bronze, glass, metal, stone and ceramic. Unlike a regular docent – your guide Mike Tauber is a long-time Laguna Beach resident and artist who personally worked with many of the artists who made these pieces. The stories will amaze you!
Availability: Daylight hours. Available year-round.
Location: Heisler Park, Laguna Beach
Length of Time: 1.5 hours, 5 blocks
Fee: $290/event (1-12 people), To register, click here.
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Courtesy of LOCA
Watercolor & Ink Travel Journal Painting
–Watercolor & Ink Travel Journal Painting
Instructor: Mary Gulino
Have you ever wanted to capture the essence of a place by drawing or painting it? Join local artist, Mary Gulino, while she guides you through how to assess a scene and create a quick sketch, control paint flow and transparency with washes and glazes, and explore wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry painting techniques. Finally, each painting and inking will be brought to life with superfine permanent technical pens as you learn outlining and different texturing and shading techniques.
Availability: Upon Request
Location: Heisler Park, Laguna Beach or online over Zoom
Length of Time: 3 hours
Fee: $99 per person (min. 4, max. 8). To register, click here.
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Courtesy of LOCA
Paint-a-Donut Party
–Paint-a-Donut Party
Instructor: Lisa Mansour
Lisa Mansour, a Sawdust artist whose work can be seen at Quorum Gallery throughout the year, is offering this sweet treat. Gather your young friends and meet at Primi Donuts in Monarch Bay Plaza, Dana Point for a delicious snack and a painting lesson. Using one of Mansour’s donut paintings, you and your friends will “decorate” a donut using your imaginations and an array of acrylic paints and embellishments.
Availability: Anytime (two-week notice required)
Location: Primi Donuts, Dana Point
Length of Time: 1+ hours
Fee: $45 per person (Up to 12 people). Groups of four or more can be arranged with prior notice at their preferred park location and preferred day of the week (subject to artist availability.) To register, click here.
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Courtesy of LOCA
Block Printing Workshop
–Block Printing Workshop
Instructor: Reem Khalil
Learn the art of block printing with a variety of materials. In this workshop, you will focus on printing on fabric, but will touch on the techniques that will translate to other materials. Each participant will receive a cotton tote and lots of paper to print their original designs on and take home. If you really get the printing bug, they will also have extra blanks, T-shirts, scarves and cards if you really get into it…once you start you won’t want to stop. These make for great gifts. All supplies are included along with wine and refreshments.
Availability: Upon Request
Location: Artists Studio, Laguna Beach
Length of Time: 2 hours
Fee: $75/person. To register, click here.
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Courtesy of LOCA
Florals in Acrylics
–Florals in Acrylics
Instructor: Lisa Rainey
Free yourself to be bold and expressive. Lisa Rainey will demonstrate her floral painting techniques step-by-step, encouraging you to capture the essence of the flower by working from life.
This class is about your creative expression through painting and your own view of what you see. Use your imagination and play with shapes, color and line. Rainey loves to use her knowledge and love of watercolor to bring a fresh way of painting in acrylics. Starting with warm washes first, you will build up the layers using thicker paint with brushes and palette knives. The desire is to create a floral painting that glows from within. Supplies are provided.
Availability: Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays
Location: Crescent Bay Park, Laguna Beach
Length of Time: 2+ hours
Fee: $220 for a private lesson, $150 each for 2-4 people. To register, click here.
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Courtesy of LOCA
Mint Tin Painting
–Mint Tin Painting on Location in Laguna
Instructor: Lisa Mansour
Using a mint tin container as both canvas and palette, the innovative painter Lisa Mansour will teach you how to create a tiny, dynamic piece of art. Painting en plein air, on location in Laguna Beach, your lesson will include basic color mixing and compositional techniques. Your small paintings will be big fun!
Availability: Anytime (two-week notice required)
Location: Laguna Beach, exact location TBD
Length of Time: 2+ hours
Fee: $150 per person (2 person minimum, 4 person maximum) To register, click here.
Courtesy of LOCA
Indigo Sarong making in the Garden
–Indigo Sarong making in the Garden!
Instructor: Reem Khalil
Khalil invites participants to learn the art of Indigo & Shibori and enjoy refreshments while making a summer sarong. Learn how to make Organic Indigo dye vat and original patterns using the ancient technique Shibori. In this workshop, students will learn the fundamentals of Shibori pattern making and how to create a variety of shapes focusing on folded, tied and clamped resist dyeing. Get your girlfriends together and throw a party…every girl needs a sarong! To register, click here.
Availability: Upon Request
Location: Artist’s Studio, Laguna Beach
Length of Time: 2 hours
Fee: $85/person, (4 people minimum, 8 people maximum)
Courtesy of LOCA
Monotype Printing on an Etching Press
–Monotype Printing on an Etching Press
Instructor: Cynthia Fletcher
Using brayers and lithography inks, students will coat a plexiglass plate with color. An assortment of thin shapes – natural, manmade and shaped by your hand will be inked and arranged on the base plate. After rolling the plate through an etching press, the resulting print will a surprising springboard into a series of monotypes you will make during this studio session.
This is a relaxed introduction to the art of printmaking. It requires no previous experience or drawing skill. It is open to people who want to explore a new medium and who are somewhere between 6 and 96. Participants will enjoy getting inky together, the exploration of something new and then marvel at the prints produced! To register, click here.
Availability: Upon Request
Location: Cynthia’s studio in Laguna Beach
Length of Time: 3 to 4 hours
Fee: $125 per person
Courtesy of LOCA
Sketching Flowers in Laguna’s Beautiful Parks
–Sketching Flowers in Laguna’s Beautiful Parks
Instructor: Hedy Buzan
Working with pencil, pen, and watercolor pencils, participants will enjoy the beautiful views and draw flora found in Laguna’s exquisite parks. Buzan will demonstrate gesture and contour sketching techniques and instruct on color mixing and the use of watercolor pencils. All materials provided and each participant will receive a mini mat that will fit in a 5”x7” frame.
Availability: Saturdays: 10 a.m.-12 p.m., upon request
Location: Heisler or Treasure Island Parks, Laguna Beach
Length of Time: 2+ hours
Fee: $45 per person (Up to 12 people). Groups of four or more can be arranged with prior notice at their preferred park location and preferred day of the week (subject to artist availability). To register, click here.
Courtesy of LOCA
Plein Air Painting at Shaws Cove
–Plein Air Painting at Shaws Cove
Instructor: Lisa Rainey
Lisa Rainey, a Laguna Beach Fine Artist, would like to invite you to explore the coves of Laguna while capturing the beauty of the waves, the cliffs and the sky, using oils on canvas. She will demonstrate her painting technique step-by-step with you, simplifying the process, making it fun and inspiring, so you can free yourselves to learn how to see, and play with shapes and color while tapping into your creative side. Whether you are an experienced painter who just wants practice or have no experience, all levels are welcome. Take the leap! You won’t regret it. All supplies are included.
Availability: Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays
Location: Shaws Cove, Laguna Beach
Length of Time: 2+ hours
Fee: $95 per person (Up to 12 people in a group and/or a six-person minimum). Private Lessons: $250 each or $150 each for two to four people.
To reserve, click here.
Courtesy of LOCA
Exciting techniques in oil
–New Exciting Techniques in Oil
Instructor: September McGee
Classes will focus on next level techniques in oil and cold wax along with palette knife. Create bold expressive textures and colors that will allow your unique creative spirit to emerge. Attendees will be painting with total abandon, freeing up any creative blocks. This is perhaps the “funnest” way to paint with incredible results. All levels of experience are welcome.
Availability: Available weekdays and upon request
Location: Artists Studio, Laguna Woods
Length of Time: 2 hours
Fee: $195 private, $295 for 2 people
To reserve, click here.
Courtesy of LOCA
Paint in oils with September McGee
–Paint in Oils: Style of American Impressionism
Instructor: September McGee
Award-winning artist, September McGee, is opening her studio offering classes in oil in a variety of genre. Learn some of her secret techniques and tools to create amazing paintings in this versatile medium. Students will be working in a “hands-on” approach to help guide their own unique creative style. What have you always wanted to paint? Let’s do that. All levels of experience are welcome.
Availability: Available weekdays and upon request
Location: Artists Studio, Laguna Woods
Length of Time: 2 hours
Fee: $195 private, $295 for 2 people
To reserve, click here.