Art and Community
Art and Community
CCA ENSURES THAT THE ARTS CONTINUE TO THRIVE WITHIN THE STATE PARK, SHARING COLORFUL WORKS AND INSPIRATION WITH LOCALS AND VISITORS ALIKE.Art and Crystal Cove have a long, meaningful history. Though plein-air painting began more than a century ago in France, colonies of such artists began to form in the U.S. in the late 1800s. Some of the top American artists of the time, including William Wendt and Edgar Wayne, are credited with providing the first visual documentation of Crystal Cove’s vertical bluffs and white sand beaches. Today, CCA continues to celebrate the arts with numerous events within the Historic District as a way to build a long-lasting community.
One way CCA is bringing its Arts in the Park program to a broader audience is through a partnership with the Saddleback College Emeritus Institute. Throughout summer, the Emeritus Institute is holding a beginning sketching course on Wednesday mornings in the Historic District, with an emphasis on outdoor sketching techniques. Live figure sketching is also being taught, with a student model dressed in period attire. The Saddleback instructor is also teaching two free watercolor classes for the public this summer, scheduled to take place July 2 and July 16 from 12:30 to 1 p.m. (no advance sign-up is required!).
Additionally, CCA is holding its annual “A Splash of Color” art show and sale July 18-20 in the Education Commons. More than 20 California plein-air artists will have their works on display, capturing the beauty and magic of the shores at Crystal Cove. Fifty percent of proceeds will benefit the restoration, education and conservation within Crystal Cove State Park. An opening night VIP reception on July 18 is open to the public as a ticketed event and offers an exclusive preview and sale of the works. To RSVP and purchase tickets, please visit crystalcovealliance.org/SplashofColor.