LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. (February 26, 2024) — Laguna Art Museum (LAM) will host the California Cool Art Auction + Benefit + Bash on Saturday, March 2, 2024. The art auction will feature works of over 120 prominent California artists, during an evening dedicated to celebrating the vibrant spirit of California while raising funds to support the museum’s Creative Foundations Program. This program has enabled LAM to provide underprivileged K-12 Title 1 students from Orange County with access to educational art programs, fostering creativity and cultural engagement.
In July 2023, LAM was awarded a prestigious grant of $178,288 from the Specified General Fund for the Museum Grant Program under the California Cultural and Historical Endowment (CCHE). This grant, with a maximum allocation to serve 5,000 students by June 2026, allowed LAM to educate over 1,150 Title 1 students through its Creative Foundations Program between October and December 2023. Through the Creative Foundations Program, these students have experienced the richness of California art, engaged in curriculum-aligned learning and created unique artworks under the guidance of dedicated volunteer docents and education staff. One teacher shared, "I can't express how wonderful this was for my kids. Our student population does not get the opportunity to enjoy fine art."
By the end of the grant's first year in June 2024, the museum is positioned to have served 3,500 Title 1 students from 14 Orange County school districts. Despite the grant's initial expectations of serving 5,000 students by June 2026, LAM's Creative Foundations Program has surpassed projections, serving students at a rate that exceeds the grant's original expectations. Due to the significant number of students being served, funding from the CCHE grant is expected to be fully utilized within the next year.
LAM seeks support from donors to ensure the continuation of this vital program. The museum recognizes its responsibility to connect as many students as possible with art during their formative years, enriching their lives for years to come. Funds raised during the paddle raise event during the California Cool Art Auction + Benefit + Bash on March 2 will contribute to the museum’s larger goal to raise $180,000, directly supporting the Creative Foundations Program at LAM.
The California Cool Art Auction and Benefit serves as a platform to raise awareness about the Creative Foundations Program and rally support from the community. Attendees can bid on artworks and contribute to a cause that directly impacts the lives of underprivileged students, empowering them through art and education.
"We are committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, has access to the transformative power of art," said Julie Lee Perlin, Executive Director of Laguna Art Museum. "The support of our community is crucial in sustaining this initiative."
Registration for the online auction will open on February 16 via Artsy. For more information, registration and to purchase tickets to the exclusive event on March 2, visit https://lagunaartmuseum.org/auction. Presale tickets to the event on March 2 are available for $215 through March 1. Pending availability, tickets for the event will be available at the door on March 2 for $225. To participate in the online auction starting February 16 via Artsy, register at artsy.net.
For more information about the 42nd Annual California Cool Art Auction, Laguna Art Museum and its Title 1 students program, visit lagunaartmuseum.org. To stay connected and learn about upcoming events, follow the museum on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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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
