Laguna Art Museum’s California Cool Art Auction, Benefit & Bash

Celebrating 41 years of connecting California artists, collectors and the community, Laguna Art Museum promises a uniquely California experience with their annual fundraising art auction, happening on:

MARCH 4, 2023 6:30 P.M.

Laguna Art Museum is located at 307 Cliff Drive in Laguna Beach, on the corner of Coast Highway and Cliff Drive.

Purchase tickets to the event here.

From the official site:

Join 135 contributing auction artists, our community, sponsors and trustees as we raise money to support Laguna Art Museum’s mission to enlighten and engage people of all ages through art that embodies and preserves the California experience. Bid on and win artworks as you are treated to complimentary cocktails and appetizers, a red-carpet experience and a performance by Grammy-nominated, Lee Rocker of the Stray Cats.

Artworks are now on view throughout the museum galleries and bid on via the Artsy online auction through Saturday, March 4. Auctioneer Juliette Vara will MC the March 4 bash during a Fund-the-Future paddle raise as guests enjoy an evening of access to meet artists featured in the auction in an immersive California atmosphere.

If you are unable to attend the 41st annual California Cool Art Auction, Benefit & Bash, but would still like to support Laguna Art Museum, please consider donating today. 

The 41st California Cool Art Auction is available to preview from February 18 through March 4 both in-person and via Artsy.net.

The auction will culminate with an exclusive Benefit & Bash at the museum on March 4, 2023, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Laguna Art Museum’s California Cool Art Auction is powered by Artsy, enabling art lovers from around the world to view and bid online. Artsy is the world’s largest and fastest growing marketplace for buying and selling art, with the world’s largest database of contemporary art.

Online bidding will continue through the evening, concluding at 8:30 p.m. on March 4.

Upcoming events at Laguna Art Museum:

March 4 at 6:30 p.m. – 41st Annual California Cool Art Auction, Benefit & Bash

• Join us for an unforgettable night during our signature auction and benefit at Laguna Art Museum as we enjoy our 41st year of connecting artists, collectors and the community. The museum’s largest fundraiser of the year has been reimagined to offer the preeminent California Cool experience, with a creative California-inspired culinary and cocktail experience, a special performance by musical guest and Laguna local, Grammy-nominated, Lee Rocker of the Stray Cats, an artistic photo opportunity on the red carpet with photographer Tony Pinto and the chance to meet many of California’s most notable artists supporting the museum and participating in the auction. More information can be found at this link and the press release is attached below for reference. 

March 5 at 10:00 a.m. – Jean Stern Presents: The Life and Art of William Wendt

• In this illustrated lecture, Curator Jean Stern will discuss the Life and Art of William Wendt (1865 – 1946) one of California’s most important artists. A leading member in the Los Angeles art community and founding member of the California Art Club in 1909. He then became a founding member of the Laguna Beach Art Association. Although somewhat shy and reclusive, he was Laguna’s most important resident artist. To Wendt, nature was a divine manifestation and he viewed himself as nature’s faithful interpreter. Only rarely did he include people or animals in his landscapes. More information can be found at this link.

March 11 at 11:00 a.m. – Great Cosmic Explosions

• Kids and adults will have a blast during this presentation by Professor Massimo Della Valle from the Instuito Nationale Astrofisico as he explores the cosmos; from black holes to life beyond Earth. After the talk, head over the LAM Lab to make your very own cosmic masterpiece. More information can be found at this link.

March 15 at 6:00 p.m. – American Journey: My Life in Art Book Signing with Marco Sassone

• Join artist Marco Sassone as he recounts his life, career, and newest memoir, American Journey: My Life in Art. Having exhibited at the Laguna Art Museum in 1979, Sassone will once again join the museum to present his work. American Journey chronicles Sassone’s struggles as an immigrant in 1960s California and examines his journey from a young boy in Italy to a world-renowned painter in America. More information can be found at this link.

March 26 at 10:00 a.m. – Notable Women of California

• In celebration of Women’s History Month, join the Laguna Art Museum for a lecture on important women throughout California’s history presented by The Women’s Museum of California. More information can be found at this link.

About Laguna Art Museum:

Laguna Art Museum exists to engage and enlighten people of all ages through art that embodies and preserves the California experience. Laguna Art Museum presents exhibitions relevant to California art and artists throughout the year and is home to the annual Art & Nature Festival celebrating the museum’s unique relationship to the environment.

For more information, please visit www.lagunaartmuseum.org 

Location:

Laguna Art Museum is located at 307 Cliff Drive in Laguna Beach, on the corner of Coast Highway and Cliff Drive.

Hours:

Tuesday-Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Closed Mondays, except Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth and Labor Day.

Closed Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.