More than 200 pieces of artwork created by budding artists — ranging from transitional kindergarteners to seniors in high school — are on display at the 2024 Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach in the Junior Art Exhibit.
Set in an open-air gallery, the festival features pieces from students who submitted their work to the Orange County Department of Education.
Since its inception in 1947, the exhibit has become a highlight of the festival’s fine art show. It provides a platform for young artists to showcase their talent and creativity for a wider audience, nurturing their artistic abilities. The exhibit emphasizes the importance of art education in schools, promoting skills such as self-expression, problem-solving and creativity.
The exhibit also aims to preserve art programs in educational institutions while engaging the community and fostering a deeper appreciation for the arts.
“Celebrating student creativity through events like this is critical to student well-being and their sense of connectedness to the community,” said Scott Fitzpatrick, OCDE’s visual and performing arts coordinator. “The OCArts4All Student Art Showcase is a great opportunity to provide space for discussions between teachers at TK-12 schools and colleges and arts organizations in Orange County that will support OCDE’s vision that Orange County students will lead the nation in college and career readiness and success.”
Selected from thousands of entries from traditional public schools, as well as charter, private and homeschool art programs, these young artists also had the opportunity to feature their work in OCDE’s OC Arts4All Showcase at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa and Laguna College of Art & Design’s “Color It Orange” exhibit this spring.
According to Fitzpatrick, two pieces on display at the Junior Art Exhibit will be selected for the ceremony program and award certificate for the 2025 Orange County Music and Arts Administrators Awards. That event will take place in February at the Samueli Theatre at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Additionally, some artwork from the OCArts4All display was recently honored at the 2024 California MTSS Professional Learning Institute — held at the Anaheim Convention Center.
Also featured in the festival this year are 21 pieces of artwork created by students with disabilities. Their work was originally displayed at the Orange County Arts and Disability Festival, which was held in May. Directed by Marleena Barber, who also serves in the department as a visual and performing arts consultant, the daylong event spotlights the artistic accomplishments of local artists with disabilities.
This year, the showcase also included 12 student-produced films and animations that were screened at the Frida Cinema in Santa Ana.
Emphasizing the importance of collaboration within the arts community, Emma Zent, the exhibits and events assistant for the festival, says the Festival of Arts is proud to partner with OCDE for the annual exhibit.
“We share their vision of Orange County leading the way in arts careers and believe recognizing student artists is vital to their continued involvement in the arts,” said Emma Zent. “The Festival of Arts is excited to support OCDE’s ongoing efforts to promote student art in Orange County throughout the OCArts4All Showcase.”
“We are also pleased to feature Laguna College of Art and Design, another partner with OCArts4All, in this year’s Emerging Artist exhibit, to demonstrate a clear pathway from college to a future in the arts.”
The exhibit premiered in Laguna Beach in July and will continue through Aug. 30.