Keeping The Groovy Vibes Alive: Cultural Center Celebrates Laguna's Hippie History In Multi-Day Celebration Of Music, Art, And Film

The recent mushroom series by Laguna Beach photographer Christopher Allwine will be included as part of an art exhibit during “The Gathering”

Photo by Theresa Keegan

BY THERESA KEEGAN, Stu News Arts Columnist

LAGUNA BEACH, CA - Culture is constantly changing, regaling past cultural movements deep into the archives - unless people actively seek them out. Such is the goal of an upcoming multi-day event focusing on the hippies who called Laguna Beach home in the late 1960s through the ‘70s.

”The Gathering’ gives us a chance to slow down, turn back the clock in order to re-examine this rich history,” said Rick Conkey, executive director at the Cultural Center and coordinator of “The Gathering: A Celebration of Laguna’s Hippie History.”

With concerts, films, panel discussions, a dance party and an art show, the multi-faceted, four-day event has a lot to cover and will begin September 21st. (There will also be a concert on the closing night of the art show, in conjunction with First Thursdays Art Walk on October 5).

”The hippie movement was controversial,” said Conkey, “but its overall impact on the world can’t be ignored.” And, he said, Laguna Beach had an “over-sized role” in the movement.

One artist showing in “The Gathering” art show is photographer Christopher Allwine, who recently exhibited a beautiful series of mushrooms at the Festival of Arts. Using his signature painted-light techniques and delving into macro photography, he’s created a series of allure and enchantment.

He started thinking about mushrooms while hiking during the pandemic in Oregon. Earlier this year, he traveled north to Santa Cruz, spending his days scouting for potential images, and returning at night to create his art.

”This was my first time experimenting with macro photography,” he said. “I didn’t know if my light painting techniques would work. (But) the outcome is extremely gratifying.”

The up-close images required Allwine to use a macro lens, long exposures and to have the camera low to the ground

His subject matter is what led to the invitation to show at “The Gathering.” “Mycology and the current talks about medicinal benefits of mushrooms for various physical and mental health issues, is really intriguing…my art is resonating with people on so many levels.”

And while the images have been well received at the Festival, Allwine is looking forward to exhibiting at “The Gathering” and bridging different generations through art.

”I’m humbled to be included on the roster with these Laguna Beach legends,” said Allwine. “It’s an honor to be a part of that unique social fabric that makes up this city’s history.”

For more information and tickets to any of the events, visit the Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center be clicking here.

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-via Stu News Laguna

John Wayne Airport Arts Program Spotlight: Light Painting Photography by Christopher Allwine

BY ANNA SOPHIA SERVIN, Official Press Release For Immediate Release

SANTA ANA, CA - From May 18th to June 14th, 2023, the John Wayne Airport Arts Program will showcase an electric collection of photography by Laguna Niguel artist Christopher Allwine. As a photographer specializing in the technique of light painting, Allwine’s creations explore the ways in which the camera can be used to tap into the visual and symbolic nature of the nocturnal scene.

Through the use of long exposure times - leaving the camera lens open for much longer than the typical second of a snapshot - and handheld light tools, he has the unique ability to augment nighttime scenes as if they were a blank canvas. Utilizing theatrical and cinematic techniques, he manages composition, creates mood, and leads the viewer’s eye. Remarkably, all lighting effects are created in real-time and captured by Allwine’s camera. These images are not Photoshop creations, but rather unique designs blending physical props with photographic innovation.

Allwine will debut his latest light painting series capturing the magic of the forest floor at the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts this summer. To find out more about upcoming exhibits and to see more of Allwine’s work, visit www.cwallwine.com.

The entire collection of work is viewable pre-security. Artworks span from the upper Departure Level near security in Terminals A, B, and C and on the lower Arrivals Level by Baggage Carousels 2 and 4.

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-via OC Air

Art Inscribed: The ekphrastic energy between two of our town's talented artistic organizations

(L-R) Poet Ellen Girardeau Kempler, photographer Christopher Allwine and author Barbara DeMarco-Barrett pose with Allwine’s photo “Date Night.” Both women wrote pieces with the same title.

Photo by Jeff Rovner

BY MARRIE STONE, Stu News Arts Columnist

LAGUNA BEACH, CA - Last Sunday afternoon, on the Festival of Arts (FOA) stage, a giant screen showed a pastel painting of a glass bowl filled with white eggs nestled in black and white striped sateen fabric by FOA exhibitor Marie Tippets.

”Good afternoon,” read Third Street Writer Linda Winslow from her piece entitled “Bowl of Eggs.” “I’m Martha Stewart. Coming to you live today from Alderson Federal Prison Camp in West Virginia, also known as ‘Camp Cupcake.’ Well, we’ll see about that.”

Winslow was one of 16 writers who responded to 18 FOA exhibitors’ visual works. Some wrote poetry and others narrative fiction. Several, like Winslow, wrote short prose (otherwise known as flash fiction or micro-fiction, which typically doesn’t exceed a few hundred words). Inspired by more than one of art, several writers penned a few pieces. And two reacted to the same photograph.

The event was the first time the Third Street Writers partnered with the FOA for an ekphrastic exercise in creative synergy. Made possible by a grant from the FOA Foundation, the Third Street Writers created a book of all the art and readings entitled Art Inscribed. It immediately sold out. The organization donated all proceeds to The Artist Fund to help Festival artists in need.

Two well-known local writers both responded to Christopher Allwine’s photograph “Date Night.” Local poet Ellen Girardeau Kempler recalled a dangerous drive-in movie date when she was only 15 years old with an “unlicensed” boy who drank Colt 45. “It’s about freedom and sexual awakening (also, indirectly, poor choice of men),” said Kempler. “And ends with the humorous line from the movie [Young Frankenstein], “What knockers.” But in Kempler’s piece, that laugh-line is described as “now serious,” giving the poem its sinister edge.

Corona del Mar author and podcast host Barbara DeMarco-Barrett wrote about the same photograph from the point of view of the hollowed-out 1959 Chrysler Imperial that awaited its end in a junkyard. “They talk about my long lines and elegance and fancy tail lights and ‘all that chrome! You don’t find it in newer models,” wrote DeMarco-Barrett. “It’s fitting the end comes here for me at the Starview - though it’s not the end end. I hear I’ll be reincarnated. As for the drive-in, the stars may no longer visit the big screen, but they mob the sky like daisies in the spring.”

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-via Stu News Laguna

The Festival of Arts - Laguna's "Intellectual Carnival" - Celebrates 90 Years of Creativity

BY MARRIE STONE, Stu News Arts Columnist

LAGUNA BEACH, CA - When the Festival of Arts began in 1932, its creators envisioned an “Intellectual Carnival.” They proposed a week-long festival to attract tourists and counter the severe economic impacts of the Great Depression. That August, roughly two dozen artists hung their paintings on trees, buildings, and fences in a vacant lot behind the old Sandwich Mill on the corner of Coast Boulevard and Forest Avenue. Other artists opened their home studios to the public. Music, banners, parades, and entertainment set the stage for what would become the “Festival of Arts,” one of the top art festivals in the nation. Annual visitors grew from 2,200 that first year to roughly 225,000 today. The Festival of Arts (FOA) has been named one of the Top Five Art Fairs in the West and Top 5 Art Festivals in the nation by USA Today. The Orange County Register named it the Best Place to Buy Original Art.

This week, the FOA welcomed guests back to celebrate their 90th anniversary. One hundred and twenty artists, including 14 newcomers, opened their booths to visitors on Tuesday (July 5) showing work across 16 mediums.

”Avid art collectors and festivalgoers will have an outstanding variety of fine art to browse and purchase as they walk among the artists’ displays,” said Marketing and Public Relations Director Sharbie Higuchi.

Though the tagline “Intellectual Carnival” fell by the wayside long ago, it remains an interesting description for what goes on behind the scenes in the artists’ studios. I caught up with six of this year’s exhibitors to get a peek inside their minds and process, learning about their inspirations and influences, and getting some artistic advice.

Painting with Light: Photographer Christopher Allwine

“I’ve always had a thing for urban exploration,” said photographer Christopher Allwine. “Something about the atmosphere of pilfering through abandoned sites fuels my drive to create.”

Allwine, a five-time FOA exhibitor, centered this year’s theme around remote wrecking yards in the middle of the desert. “Daylight hours were spent scouting vehicles and envisioning how I was going to tell their stories, all the while factoring in the very surreal context of the environment,” he said. “Even though the cars are barely intact, I feel like they are inherently evocative enough to be effective ‘models' for this group of photographs.”

Born into a family of creatives that goes back generations, both of Allwine’s parents worked in the film and television industry. “Having that kind of endorsement at a young age played a big role in my development as an artist,” he said. “I’m also a very curious and inquisitive person by nature. I love classic cars and that passion carried over into this series.”

Darkness is Allwine’s canvas. He uses handheld light tools as faux-paintbrushes to create “light paintings” with his camera. The effect, drawing perhaps from those parental influences, is wholly cinematic. “I think the best art needs to showcase the artist’s technique along with provoking a visceral response,” he said. “In this particular series, the dynamic combination of night photography and light painting at a remote scrapyard in the middle of nowhere fulfilled that for me.”

Allwine’s advice to new artists? “Don’t be afraid to try new things,” he said. “Especially in a field as oversaturated as photography, it’s imperative to stand out from the crowd. Modern advances in camera technology have expanded the boundaries of the art form exponentially, which is great for anyone who is just starting out. Also, don’t hesitate to put yourself out there when it comes to applying to art shows. The experience of showcasing at FOA has done wonders for my career and confidence. It continues to serve as motivation to keep on creating.”

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-via Stu News Laguna

Festival Of Arts Showcases Top Artists At Laguna Beach Exhibit

BY ASHLEY LUDWIG, Patch Staff

LAGUNA BEACH, CA - Laguna Beach’s Festival of Arts is letting creativity run wild with the return of the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show July 5 - August 31, 2019.

”All summer long, the Festival will open its doors daily for guests to enjoy original artwork by award-winning artists and a uniquely immersive art experience featuring an array of demonstrations and interactive workshops, daily exhibit tours, live music, special events, and more.” a spokesperson said.

As one of the nation’s oldest and most highly acclaimed juried fine art shows, the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show offers avid art collectors and festival-goers an outstanding variety of fine art to browse and purchase as they walk among the artists displays.

”As a young artist, I feel a great sense of honor being a part of the unique social fabric that makes Laguna Beach the mecca of art and creativity that it is today,” shared photographer Christopher Allwine. “Given the Festival of Arts’ decorated history and prestige within the fine arts community, I consider it a high calling to be showcasing my work here.”

Luminous, striking and intriguing, Allwine’s progressive style of art photography has been exhibited in top art shows throughout Southern California - predominantly within the artist colony of Laguna Beach. “I know many artists who got their start at Festival of Arts and went on to have prosperous careers both domestically and internationally; I hope to have similar success with my own experience this summer.”

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Festival of Arts Laguna Beach Presents: Patron Picks 2017 Exhibit

February 1 - April 12, 2017

The Festival of Arts is pleased to announce its newest exhibit, Patron Picks 2017, at the historic Wells Fargo Building in downtown Laguna Beach. Visitors of the 2016 Festival of Arts fine art show had the opportunity to vote for their favorite exhibitors and the top twelve artists are featured in this multi-media show.

The artists and their mediums presented in Patron Picks 2017 are Mary Aslin (pastels), Christopher Allwine (photography), Ron Azevedo (photography), Joel Brown (photography), Jordan Dimitrov (sculpture), Brian Giberson (mixed media), Rick Graves (photography), Varsha Patel (printmaking), John Repka (oils), Barry Robin (wood), Fabrice Spies (acrylics), and Patrick Whelan (oils). 

"It was really interesting to see the diversity of artwork the patron's selected as their favorites," said Exhibit Curator Pat Sparkuhl.

- via Art Lux Magazine February 2017

Festival of Arts Laguna Beach Presents: "Young Guns" Exhibit Featuring Christopher Allwine

January 10 - April 7, 2017

FoaSouth’s newest exhibit spotlights seven of the Festival of Arts’ younger exhibitors from the 2016 summer art show. Artists featured include Christopher Allwine (photographer), Stefan Cummings (charcoal), Katlin Evans (charcoal), Elizabeth McGhee (painter), Mariana Nelson (mixed media) and Hugo Rivera (painter).

“Young Guns gives the public a glimpse of seven younger exhibitors whose inspired visions will define the next chapter of artists at the Festival of Arts,” said Exhibit Curator Pat Sparkuhl.

The art ranges from explorations in time-lapse photography, 3-D art made from recycled materials and paintings that capture the atmosphere of the landscapes they depict. This exhibit illustrates the skills developed by these artists whose fascination with common scenes and objects are transformed into fresh and unexpected results.

- via Aliso Laguna News

The Ramona Flowers - 'Run Like Lola' (Official Music Video) featuring light painting by Christopher Allwine

"'Run Like Lola', the new single taken from our second album 'Part Time Spies' out now. Get the album here: https://trf.lnk.to/pts Director: Anders Rostad Producer: Lauren Solie Creative Director: Tom Bird Executive Producer: Isaac Rice Production Company: Hound Content (http://www.houndcontent.com) https://www.theramonaflowersmusic.com https://www.facebook.com/theramonaflowersmusic https://www.twitter.com/theramonaflower" http://vevo.ly/42rgGp

C.W. Allwine Project: Victoria Skimboards

Christopher Allwine is a young talented fine art photographer who contacted us with the craziest idea in mind. We loved the project and the idea and have been collaborating with Chris for few months now. From the first tests, to the first actual pictures, it has been a challenging one. Riding in the dark with a glowing skimboard isn’t easy, and long exposure photograph with another person dedicated to flash the scene at the best moment is an interesting challenge to say the least. It takes practice and dedication, but we are now pretty confident that we are getting closer to the final goal!

Laguna Beach local Jared Green poses with Allwine’s LED skimboard prototype

Christopher will produce big prints and display his best shots at the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts this Summer. You can find all the information on his fine art photography on his website:

www.cwallwine.com

Stay tuned for more night session pictures with the glowing skimboard very soon!

Photo by Kim Knowlton

Group Exhibition at Hugo Rivera Gallery, Laguna Beach | First Thursdays Art Walk, Nov. 2015 |

(L-R) Hugo Rivera and Christopher Allwine

Solo Exhibition at Wyland Studio Gallery, Laguna Beach | First Thursdays Art Walk, Sept. 2015 |

(L-R) Darlene Wyland and Christopher Allwine

Orange County Register: Artists of All Variety Stand Out At Festival

BY KRISTINE LIAO, Staff Writer

With another year winding down at Laguna Beach's signature Festival of Arts, here's a look at three diverse artists who helped to bring the show to life this year:

CHRISTOPHER ALLWINE, PHOTOGRAPHER

Christopher Allwine was strolling around a remote scrapyard in the Mojave Desert and listening to his iPod when he came across a beat up 1959 Chrysler in front of an old freeway sign. 

"When I walked past this car, Ritchie Valens came on, 'Oh Donna', from the 50's," Allwine said. "And I just saw this car, along with this blank wooden board - and I saw a drive-in. I knew that as soon as night came around, I was going to try to recreate a nostalgic, dreamlike visual of a classic drive-in theater featuring this great vehicle from that era."

This photograph, "Date Night," is part of Allwine's 'light painting' series debuting at the Festival of Arts this summer. Allwine worked on the collection for two years and returned to the scrapyard several times. 

The process of Allwine's light painting photographs requires pitch dark conditions, along with a camera, tripod, remote shutter release, and handheld lighting tools. He enters the composition to create effects using lights while his camera's shutter stays open. 

"It's definitely not a simple matter of just pressing a camera button and hearing a couple of clicks," Allwine said. "I'm constantly in motion and I have to be very meticulous about where to shine the lights. It can take a very long time, sometimes hours, and a lot of trial and error."

Allwine has been fascinated with photography since childhood. Raised by a father who voiced Mickey Mouse and a mother who animated many of the original "Star Wars" films, Allwine grew up in a creatively talented family. 

He spent time studying business, voiceover, and daytime landscape photography until he took an astrophotography workshop in 2013 - which introduced him to the long-exposure techniques he now utilizes in his light painting photographs. 

"Once I discovered long-exposure techniques, I became enamored with the storytelling qualities," Allwine said. 

Exhibiting at the Festival of Arts had been a goal of Allwine's since he first decided to focus on fine art imagery. He has previously exhibited at the Orange County Fair, Sawdust Art Festival and Art-A-Fair before appearing at the Festival of Arts this summer.

"I really wanted to challenge myself as an artist for this debut series, so I decided, you know what, I'm going to go to a junkyard and find things people have thrown away and give them new life," Allwine said. "Because a beat-up '59 Chrysler still has some dignity to it."

Allwine's photography is showcased at booth No. 49 now through August 31.

Christopher Allwine in Laguna Beach ART Magazine - Fall 2015

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Los Angeles Times: Where to start? Try these 12 artists

BY CATHERINE GAUGH

1. Christopher Allwine

Where: Festival of Arts

Christopher Allwine's photographs have been shown at Art-A-Fair and Sawdust Art Festival, but this is his first showcase at the Festival of Arts.

His series of "light paintings" are nighttime landscape photographs punctuated with touches of light. One series shows sleek old cars with bright spots, one in headlights, another on the tires. A third is of a metro bus with a lighted destination sign on the front. The atmospheric effect comes from long exposures and other manipulations using hand-held lighting gear. 

"Working at night offers endless creative opportunities, especially when it involves painting with light," Allwine said. 

He told Arts and Entertainment, a Laguna Beach cultural blog, that his tools include small lighting items - pocket-sized flashlights, gelled strobes, glow sticks and LED pens - to create the visual effects in his photos. 

Info: cwallwine.com

 

Festival of Arts Exhibit Opens at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

DANA POINT, CALIF. - As the official hotel partner of Pageant of the Masters and Festival of Arts, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel is showcasing original works from 25 Festival of Arts artists. The exhibit will be on display in the Art Exhibit Space from May 8 through September 30, 2015.

Artists on display include:

• Christopher Allwine, "Date Night," Pigment Ink Print

• Paul Bond, "The Girl Who Circumnavigated the World in a Dream of Her Own Making," Giclee on Canvas

• Greg Boratyn, "White Mountain," Photography

• William Brion, "Beaches," Oil on Canvas

• Sean Hunter Brown, "Tide Pool," Aluminum, limited edition print

• Susan Cox, "Piccadilly Puddles," Oil

• Pilar Cristi, "Tranquility," Metal Print

• Gar Crosper, "Desert Sand Dunes," Photography

• Cunningham/Haight Duets, "All-A Twitter," Mixed Media

• Michael Duggan, "Glass Building Peaks," Photography

• Dennis Dunton, "Paris Carousel," Black and White Photography

• Rob Gage, "Rachel on the Stool," Photography

• Brian Giberson, "Pagoda," Mixed Media

• Michael Harnish, "Portrait of Amy," Oil on Canvas

• Hannah Harris, "Virtuous Woman," Oil and Collage on Panel

• Susan Hoehn, "Admiring Monet," Oil on Canvas/Figurative

• Sharon Jackman, "Ocean Platter," Platter

• David Milton, "Perry's Supper Club," Watercolor

• Gary Monji, "Silk Flowers Series, Leaf Top Jar #1," Sculpture

• Sherry Salito Forsen, "Wabi Sabi," Glasswork

• Marie Tippets, "Granny Smiths," Pastel

• Wai-Sin Tong-Darbonne, "Ocean Spirit," Watercolor and Ink on Rice Paper

• Belle Tuckerman, "Iris," Sculpture

• Bruce Vanderwilt, "Lady in Red," Oil on Canvas on Board

• Barbara White, "Walking Meditation," Photography

The Festival of Arts is California's premiere fine art show. The Festival's prestigious juried art show includes a wide variety of media such as paintings, photography, printmaking, sculpture, jewelry, handcrafted wood and furniture, ceramics, glass, and more - all by 140 of Orange County's finest artists. Established in 1932, Festival of Arts promotes, produces and sponsors events and activities that encourage the appreciation, study and performance of the arts.

For a more comprehensive art experience, guests can book one of the two Pageant of the Masters overnight experiences that features incredible seats and exclusive offerings. The Behind the Velvet Rope Experience features ocean view overnight accommodations on The Ritz-Carlton Club Level, two premium seat tickets to the Pageant, a guided docent tour of the Festival, a backstage tour of the Pageant for $1,699 per night. The Pursuit of Happiness Experience includes overnight accommodations and two premium seat tickets to the Pageant with rates starting at $775 per night. Both packages can be booked online at www.ritzcarlton.com/LagunaPageant

Festival of Arts Laguna Beach Presents: Fresh Faces 2015

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April 10 - June 12, 2015

Summer time is just around the corner and the Festival of Arts is excited to announce its newest exhibit, Fresh Faces 2015. Presenting the works of newly juried Festival artists, the exhibit will showcase a wide range of mediums including photography, jewelry, mixed media, sculpture, watercolor, glass and oil paintings. Fresh Faces 2015 runs April 10 through June 12 at the Wells Fargo Bank in Laguna Beach. The public is welcome to join the artists for a free reception on Saturday, May 2 from 11am – 1pm at the Wells Fargo Bank.

Fresh Faces 2015 showcases a fascinating look into the world of the innovative and fresh new artwork of fourteen prestigious artists from Orange County. These exhibitors were recently juried into the Festival of Arts by a panel of seven knowledgeable artists and/or art experts which included Senior Art Director of Blizzard Entertainment Sam Didier, watercolorist Roger Folk, Coastline Art Gallery Curator David Lee, oil painter Michael Obermeyer, Dean of Clair Trevor School of Arts Joseph S. Lewis III, sculptor Jon Seeman and painter Tom Swimm.

“We are very excited to have fourteen of the sixteen new artists joining us for this exhibit,” said Director of Exhibits, Education and Permanent Collections, Ron Morrissette. “Their work, along with our longtime exhibitors, will help create one of the most exciting years the Festival has ever seen.”

The artists and mediums being presented in Fresh Faces 2015 are Christopher Allwine (photography), Gregory Boratyn (photography), Mary Church (photography), Sheri Cohen (jewelry), Jordan Dimitrov (sculpture), Michael Duggan (photography), Brian Giberson (mixed media), Susan Hoehn (oils), Jangwon Lee (mixed media), Richard Moren (ceramics), Jayne Reich (sculpture), Teri Starkweather (watercolors), N.C. Swan (watercolors), and Belle Tuckerman (sculpture).

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(L-R)  Jordan Dimitrov,  Michael Duggan,  Jangwon Lee,  Christopher Allwine

Photo by Ron Morrissette

OC Weekly Presents: Artopia 2015 Featuring Christopher Allwine

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Photo by David Coyne

Artopia is OC Weekly's annual event celebrating the vibrant art scene across Orange County. From visual and performing to fashion and film, art is featured in many forms throughout the venue and paired alongside inventive food and drink sampling booths.

C. Allwine Fine Art Photography in Laguna Beach ART Magazine - Summer 2014

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