Laguna Art Museum - Research Paper Example

Laguna Art Museum Laguna Art Museum is located at Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach focuses on artworks of California, in general. Its mission is to “providethe public with exposure to art and to promote understanding of the role of art and artists in American culture through collection, conservation, exhibition, research, scholarship and education” (Laguna Art Museum, par. 1). The museum is proud to have a roster of about 65 permanent collection artists with artworks of various designs, styles, and genres.

It has a current exhibition showcasing art designs of John Paul Jones (a painter, sculptor, printmaker, and arts educator), E. Roscoe Shrader (painter specializing in post impressionistic landscapes, figures and still life), Sean Duffy (installations), a tribute to Megan Hart Jones (daughter of John Paul Jones,specializes in paintings and ceramic sculpture) and Masterstrokes (members of Laguna Plein Air Painters Association).I was intrigued by the artworks of Megan Hart Jones who died at an early age of 20.

Her Soul Portrait was sublime with an essence of ethereal beauty that captivates the viewers by her looks. Her painting was fairly simple in style, color and design (portraits, flowers, cloud studies) but are a beauty to behold.The Pierced Red Square by Suzanne Williams is a painting in oil on canvass appears very simple in design with geometric triangular shapes in red predominantly appearing. Painted in 1998, the painting actually appears timeless due to the utter simplicity in style. Kevin Arcell’s Media Miracle in 1999 combined elements of contemporary subjects in Maverick surf sport and the images of cherubs or angels descending from the sky.

The Two Headed Coin by Travis Somerville is a contemporary rendition of oil, oil stick, collage on blueprints, mounted on canvas. The collage had prominent images of a rabbit, an old man, and some shadowed figures in the center. It is unique in its expression and style but not as beautiful as traditional paintings in oil.The Untitled acrylic on canvas by Tim Ebner, created in 1988 was mostly monochromatic with the color green seen predominantly in geometric columns of diverse shades. It does not provide opportunities to highlight the creative talent of the artist.

A Piece of Cake by Scott Hess was disturbing in message being relayed by the artist due to the focal point of the painting, a black woman seated and indicated that she was recently raped. The spectators at the party offered her the piece of cake with others curiously appearing to get information from her.Michael Davis’ interpretation of Water was made from copper stain on cement and pine which actually poorly resembles water in any way. Further, an Untitled art work made from mixed media on board by Jeff Colson appeared to be lifeless and devoid of meaning, with matte colors of black, grey, and tan.

Overall, the contemporary art works exhibited at Laguna Art Museum were more on the conservative side emphasizing on minimalism in design, style and genre. Only a few outstanding painting stand out with real life depictions of beach activities and landscapes. Kathleen Dunphy’s Pacific Grove Morning painted in 2007 is an exceptional painting from the rest as the artist used styles of shading, colors and hues that highlight the indicated landscape and time of the day. Her paintings are part of the Masterstrokes exhibit which can be seen until January 23, 2011.

The visit to Laguna Art Museum provided me with the opportunity to appreciate art in its various forms, styles, designs and mediums. It actually enhanced one’s awareness that there is beauty in simplicity in artworks. The talent of artists can be honed by constant and regular rendition and personal expression of art in whatever form and style chosen to showcase it.Work CitedLaguna Art Museum. (2010). Laguna Art Museum Mission Statement. 2010. Web. 14 December 2010.