Our Laguna: Landscape painters feted at soiree

It fulfills its mission through mentoring, scholarships to emerging artists and by forming alliances with complementary arts organization such as LAM.

Among the artists showcased Saturday: Ken Auster, Richard Abraham, Greg LaRock, Daniel Aldana, Michael Alten, Calvin Liang, Ebrahim Amin, Ronaldo Macedo, Doug Martin, Roger Dale Brown, Jennifer McChristian, Larry Moore, Jim Lamb, Jeff Yeomans, Marcia Burtt, Jim Wodark, Eric Neubert, Paul Kratter, Nancy Bush, Niles Nordquist, Thomas Kitts, Michael Obermeyer, Larry Cannon, April Raber, Jill Carver, Camille Przewodek, Greg Scheibel, Rick Delanty, John Kilduff, Julia Seelos, Kay FlierlCQ, Doug Stotts, Joe Forken, W. Jason Situ, Hai-Ou Hou, Jeff Sewell, Fred Hope, Michael Situ, Carolyn Hesse-Low, Randall Sexton, Kirk McBride, Debra Groesser, Robert Watts and Caglayan.

Awards were presented to participating artists Bryan Mark Taylor, John Burton, Gavin Brooks, and Joan LaRue.

The Collectors Choice Award went to Taylor. Burton was the Artists' Choice winner. Brooks won the Southwest Quick Draw Award. La Rue was honored with the Edward. H. Boseker Award.

Most, although not all, of the participating artists are members of LPAPA.

Membership in the non-profit is divided into tiers: artist or patrons, which allows the member to participate in association activities and exhibits; donors; and Signature Members.

Signature members are juried into the category.

"There are 32 signature members currently," said Rosemary Swimm, wife of artist Tom Swimm and LPAPA program and events chair for the past two years. "Work by current members will be exhibited in the Masterstrokes show opening Oct. 30 here in the museum."

"Masterstrokes" will be the first museum exhibition of signature members. Jean Stern will curate the show, billed as the best of the best works from the group.

In an effort to make the association as accessible as possible to everyone, memberships are kept at an affordable level.

Students can join for $25 or 25 volunteer hours. Artist members pay $50, patrons pay, $50 to $100. The dues for signature members are $100.

The group relies on charitable contributions for a portion of its operating income. Donations make possible the exhibitions, workshops, education and the critical purpose of preserving the legacy of early Laguna Beach painters.

A donor form is on the group's website: http://www.LPAPA. Click on memberships.