Book Review of
ART Travel Guide
My sister, Connie Terwilliger, just published
ART Travel Guide, a guidebook to art sites throughout the U.S. This excerpt is about the
Pageant of the Masters.
This amazing event began over 77 years ago, the week after the Los
Angeles Olympic games in 1932. Laguna Beach was attempting to attract
tourists to its then-faltering town. Living Pictures Show was created by
artist and vaudevillian Lolita Perine and was a small success. Three
years later, Roy Ropp, another artist and construction worker, expanded
the concept and renamed the event The Spirit of the Masters. Now called
Pageant of the Masters, this one-of-a-kind spectacle lasts two
months—July and August—and sells out early.
When the live music begins from the orchestra pit, the performers on
stage freeze and become part of a “live painting.” The entire
presentation, lasting over two hours, is accented with unusual
acoustics, live music and showmanship. About 30-40 familiar paintings
are “enacted” during the evening. “How did they do that?” is a common
question. Most of the actors (volunteers) within the “live painting”
manage to not even twitch! The lighting and scenery production is so
good that the “painting enactment” appears three-dimensional. On
occasion, the actors intentionally move out of position, allowing the
audience to see how the living painting is composed, which creates total
amazement for the audience.
From bronze sculptures to Meissen china, Boticelli to Warhol, all are
depicted with utmost refinement. Each year a different theme is played
out. The traditional piece at the end is Leonardo’s Last Supper.
Binoculars are helpful for seeing the details of each painting
performance and can be rented outside the theatre. Arrive early for the
pre-production entertainment: food, music and art at the Laguna Beach
Festival of Artists, with some 145 artists selling two- and
three-dimensional artwork on the grounds. Today, the Festival of Arts
Permanent Collection, expanded annually through purchases made from the
exhibiting artists’ work, contains more than 300 pieces.
A most unique event!
650 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, CA. 800.487.3378.
Image: Recreation of Arthur Rackman’s 1908 illustration Meeting of Oberon &
Titania. ©2011 Festival of Arts/Pageant of the Masters. photo by Rick
Lang
More things to do in Laguna Beach. More ideas for exploring the U.S.
-watermark.JPG "cupcake case at Casey's Cupcakes in Laguna Beach, California")
-watermark.JPG "view from guest room at Pacific Edge Hotel in Laguna Beach, California")
-watermark.JPG "fence with message overlooks ocean at Brown Park in Laguna Beach, California")
.JPG "rescued seal at Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, California")
-watermark.JPG "rescued white egret at Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, California")
-watermark.JPG "dining room at Zinc Cafe & Market in Laguna Beach, California")
