Timeshare Information

The Pageant of the Masters is unbelievable, and worth planning a timeshare rental vacation to southern California. Part of Laguna Beach's "Festival of the Arts" held every summer, the Pageant of the Masters is the spectacular centerpiece.

Known as "tableaux vivant" or "living pictures," classical and contemporary works of art are recreated by real people, all volunteers. The amazingly identical look to the original art is accomplished through clever make-up, costumes, and sophisticated lighting. A huge frame completes the picture.

Originated by artist Lolita Perine in 1932 with the concept of creating living works of art, the Pageant of the Masters is held in a beautiful outdoor amphitheater and consists of 90 minutes of "living pictures" accompanied by a professional narrator, an orchestra, and period songs by professional vocalists.

The Festival of the Arts itself has also been a Laguna Beach tradition since 1932 and since then has become a major art tradition. The work of over 150 artists is exhibited in a beautiful 6-acre canyon park. These world class artists display original art in virtually every form of media: paintings, sculptures, pastels, drawings, serigraphs, photographs, ceramics, jewelry, etched and stained glass, fiber arts, and even handcrafted furniture. All of the artwork is for sale.

Daily events at the Festival of the Arts include docent-led tours describing the artistic process and features of various works and media. You'll also see hands-on demonstrations of painting, ceramics, and printmaking. The 2010 schedule is July 7 through August 31, with a gala benefit on August 28.

Occurring basically at the same time is the fun Sawdust Art Festival. This is where Laguna Beach artists themselves come together to exhibit their work. Held in a 3-acre sweet-smelling eucalyptus grove, you'll stroll through soft sawdust as you view the arts and crafts of over 200 local artists, in many different types of media. Live musical entertainment and some great food accompanies this festival. You can also participate in hands-on mini-classes with artists, and watch demonstrations as artists share their experiences.

California timeshare rentals are available not only in Laguna Beach and just up the road at Newport Coast, but also less than an hour's drive south through-out the greater San Diego area, and north just 45 minutes in Anaheim next to Disneyland.

Photo courtesy artsblog.com

The Marriott Newport Coast Villas in southern California offers an exciting opportunity to rent a timeshare and experience a fabulous California beach vacation. Perfect all year round, this getaway resort has something for everyone - families and retirees alike - at any time of the year. Perched on a cliff, spectacular views of the blue Pacific, glorious sunsets, beaches, tide pools and easy driving to many southern California activities are all included in your one low price.

The resort itself offers so many amenities that you may just want to stay local. Besides two pools (and a third is under construction), you can enjoy a sauna, a hot-tub, spa services and tennis. For the children there is a kiddie pool and a game room. Babysitting referral, and child care with a great kid's program, are available as well. With a fully-equipped kitchen and a BBQ area, you can save on meals and enjoy great beach cuisine you prepare yourself.

If you venture out, you'll find plenty to do within short driving distances of the Villas. You are planning your visit this fall, the Annual Oktoberfest will be held at the Balboa Bay Club & Resort. Available for both lunch and dinner, Chef Josef Lageder creates authentic German and Bavarian specialties and many of the ingredients are flown in from Germany and Austria. The Pacific Symphony Presents “Halloween Spooktacular" a concert of "spooky thrills and musical chills" - to which you are invited to wear your Halloween costume!

Only a half-hour drive north is Disneyland, where you can enjoy more Halloween merriment. See our previous article: “Disneyland and Halloween for Family Fun” for all the details. Sea World and the world-famous San Diego Zoo are just an hour south. Beach hop from La Jolla all the way up the coast to Redondo Beach and become an expert on the art of luxuriating in surf and sand.

Laguna Beach is well-known as an art community, and any time of year you'll find art galleries and even artists' studios to visit. If you plan to rent your Villa timeshare during the summer, see our previous post: “It’s Art Festival Time in Laguna Beach” to learn more.

The Marriott Newport Coast Villas will be undergoing some construction through 2009, so when renting be sure to check with the timeshare owner to see if that will affect your stay in the unit you want to rent. Learn more about the Marriott Newport Coast Villas.

Summer is here, which means it’s time to travel to California for an annual visit to historic Laguna Beach, to see the art festivals. Since the first painting was created in 1878, the exquisite natural beauty of Laguna Beach has been a magnet for artists, who supported themselves by selling their artwork to tourists who flocked to the beach for vacation. By the early 1900s, the village had gained a reputation as an art colony, and in 1918, with a population of only 300 residents, the community established the Laguna Art Association to promote and support the fine arts. Laguna Beach has a lot to offer visitors year round with their beautiful beaches, quaint antique shops, art galleries and studios, restaurants and a small old movie theatre. But, June 26th, Laguna kicks off their annual art festivals, which is expected to attract over 200,000 visitors from across the country, now through the end of August. You’ll experience a cozy, home town feeling in Laguna Beach, and the artists are happy for you to attend one or all three of the festivals to see and buy their wonderful, hand made, original creations.

Here’s a little more about each festival and how each is special:

Sawdust Art Festival
Since its inception, the nonprofit, Sawdust Art Festival organization has celebrated and supported the work of local artists and is designed to both entertain and educate visitors. Stroll and shop along sawdust-covered paths through a hand-crafted village of fine arts and superb craftsmanship. The Festival also features demo booths such as glass blowing, complimentary hands-on art workshops where you can create your own masterpieces, a children’s art booth, refreshments from three restaurants, live music and more. All forms of fine arts and crafts will be on display including: Ceramics, Art glass, Watercolor and Oil painting, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Sculpture, Illustrating, Clothing, Photography, Print, and Furniture.

Art-A-Fair
Nestled in a colorful garden setting in romantic Laguna Canyon, the Art-A-Fair Festival is where you’ll find treasures from national artists. An exciting variety of two and three dimensional art is represented including oils, watercolors, pastels, acrylics, drawings, mixed media, photography, sculpture, jewelry glassworks, pottery, and furniture. Special artist demonstrations and lectures are highlighted where you can see first hand how artistic masterpieces are created from conception to completion. Free workshops and supervised children's art activities are offered on: mask painting, sketching, foil painting, scratchboard, watercolor, and colored pencil techniques. Gourmet lunches and dinners are available by the waterfall in a pleasant outdoor setting.

Festival of Arts with Pageant of the Masters
The Festival of Arts has matured into a world-renowned cultural institution with a mission to promote, produce, and sponsor events and activities that encourage the appreciation, study and performance of the arts. Originally started in 1932, this festival displays over 140 of the Southland’s most accomplished artists. It is a rigorously juried show, requiring artists to demonstrate and maintain very high aesthetic standards. The artworks represent a wide spectrum of art media including: paintings, sculpture, pastels, drawings, serigraphs, photographs, ceramics, jewelry, etched and stained glass, fiber arts, handcrafted furniture and even scrimshaw. All of the works are original art for sale and opens July 5th.

The Pageant of the Masters is truly a special experience, not to be missed. Sitting in an outdoor amphitheater, accompanied by a professional orchestra, and live narration, you’ll see ninety minutes of "living pictures" you won’t believe even when you see them. The performance is incredible. Real people are posing (and painted) to look exactly like their counterparts in original classical and contemporary masterworks. After viewing these life sized art re-creations, you’ll leave asking yourself, “were those really live people in each piece”? It’s visually stunning. Shows start July 8th.

So, now you’re convinced that you must take a trip to Laguna Beach this year and experience their famous art festivals that are like no other. Here’s a few suggestions on where to stay in Laguna Beach. Bring your sketchbook. You might be inspired!