In conjunction with the exhibition Joseph Kleitsch: Abroad and At Home in Old Laguna, please join us for a fascinating look at past and present Laguna Beach through the eyes of painters. Curatorial Fellow Jean Stern will connect and contrast Kleitsch’s century-old paintings of Laguna Beach with contemporary paintings by four distinguished artists from the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association in an exploration of the evolution of the city and an artist’s relationship with their surroundings. Artists include Rick J. Delanty, Calvin Liang, Lisa Mozzini-McDill and Michael Obermeyer.

Advance tickets recommended.

Museum members: $20

LPAPA Member: $20

Non-members: $35

A California native, Rick J. Delanty has been painting landscapes and seascapes for over four decades.  He works in an impressionistic style both plein air and in the studio, using an exuberant calligraphy of color and brushstroke which conveys emotion and movement. His featured subject is the California landscape, and he focuses on compositions built around mood and a deep appreciation for life. Rick maintains a Home Studio & Art Gallery in San Clemente, California.

Delanty’s work has been included in invitational plein air events across the West, and has been exhibited in museums and galleries across the nation. Delanty has received awards at regional, national and international levels, including Finalist in 15th Art Renewal Salon competition in January of 2021; Finalist “Best Acrylic”  in the September 2016 Plein Air Salon; Best of Show in 2014 from Plein Air Magazine editor Stephen Doherty in “The American Landscape” national exhibition; twice Outstanding Acrylic in the international “Boldbrush” painting competition; Best of Show in the 2013 ISAP Online Exhibition; Best of Show at the Borrego Plein Air Invitational; two awards in the Sedona Invitational; the Peterson Award at the annual exhibition of the National Society of Painters in Casein and Acrylic; and both the Boseker and Surfrider awards at the Laguna Plein Air Invitational at the Laguna Art Museum. Rick served as curator for the “California Impressionism” show in 2015 at the Huntington Beach Art Center in California, as judge for the Art Muse international painting competition in 2019, and as faculty for the 2019 Plein Air Convention in San Francisco.

Delanty originals have also been selected for such national and international shows as the Art Renewal Center, Plein Air Salon, Oil Painters of America, California Art Club, American Impressionist Society, Boldbrush International Painting Competition, National Art Muse Competition, National Oil and Acrylic Painters, and International Society of Acrylic Painters.

Calvin Liang was born in Canton, China. He began painting in high school and completed his art education at the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts, recognized as one of China’s most prestigious and competitive art academies. In China, his skills as a fine artist were applied to the theatrical industry where he designed and created sets for operas and musical dramas for the Canton Opera Institute. Liang moved to the United States in 1987 and continued his profession as a full-time artist. He had a long and successful career creating visual art for the entertainment industry in animation, which included Walt Disney Studios and Nickelodeon Studios where he worked for the Little Mermaid and SpongeBob SquarePants. However, he decided to quit working for the studios to pursue a full-time career as a fine artist, painting themes of his choosing. Since leaving his animation career in early 2002, Liang has definitely been noticed.

His accomplishments include winning several top awards in important exhibitions including the Irvine Museum Award in the California Art Club 110th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition 2021, The Lifetime Achievement Award at the 18th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational in 2016, The Bronze Medal in the 25th National Juried Exhibition of Oil Painters of America in 2016, Edgar Payne Award for Best Landscape in California Art Club 104th Annual Gold Medal Juried Exhibition 2015, Artist Award in Masters of the American West Fine Art Exhibition and Sale 2015, Juror’s Best of Show-38th Annual C.M. Russell 2006, “Art-Talk Award of Excellence” Oil Painters of America Juried Exhibition 2005, “People’s Choice Award” 6th  Annual Laguna Plein Air Painting Event in Bowers Museum 2002, “Best of the Show” American Impressionist Society’s 4th Annual Juried Exhibition 2002. Thus assuring his position as one of the nation’s leading artist. National art magazines also took notice.

Lisa Mozzini-McDill graduated from San Diego State University with Honors, Distinction in Art, and a BA in Graphic Communications. She worked as a graphic artist, illustrator, and portrait artist in San Diego for over ten years. Today she works primarily in oil on plein air landscapes, larger studio work, and commissioned portraits. In addition to teaching in her studio and en plein air she has been asked to judge shows and demonstrate for various groups such as The Riverside Art Museum and MVAL’s “Saturday in the Park with the Masters.” Lisa has continued her education with workshops by Elizabeth Tolley, John Budicin, Ken Auster, Michael Obermeyer, and Joseph Todorovitch. Lisa’s work has received many awards including Juror’s Choice by The California Art Club 2009 & 2014, artwork selected for the 2008 & 2010 Top Dog Award by The Riverside Art Museum and second place winner of Emerging Plein Air Artist Award. Lisa’s work has been accepted into The Art Renewal Center International Salon 2011-2012 & 2019, OPA National and Western Regional Shows, and The Greenhouse Gallery Salon International. She has been published in Orange County’s Best Magazine, featured in the artist’s spotlight of The Press-Enterprise, July 14, 2008, “Artist to Watch” in Southwest Art Magazine, and “The Elements” in Plein Air Magazine, August/September 2021.

Lisa is an Artist Member of California Art Club and a signature member of Laguna Plein air Painters Association.

A native of Southern California, Michael Obermeyer received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration at California State University, Long Beach. A twenty-year career in illustration included works for Disney Studios, the Anaheim Angels, McDonnell Douglas, Coldwell Banker, and the United States Air Force. Because of his illustration background, he is equally comfortable with the landscape and the figure. Many of his paintings are in the U.S. Air Force Historical Art Collection in the Smithsonian Institute and the Pentagon.

Michael was presented with the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association “Lifetime Achievement Award” in 2015. He recently won the “Collector’s Choice Award”, “Artist Choice Award” and the “Fine Art Connoisseur Award” at the Laguna Beach Invitational Plein Air Competition as well as the “Best of Show” at the Grand Canyon Celebration of Art and the Kern County Plein Air Festival, and the Gold Medal at the Carmel Art Festival. Collectors include the Marriott Hotels and Resorts, The Irvine Company, Hoag Hospital, California State Parks and many corporate as well as private commissions.

Michael serves as the President of the prestigious California Art Club and is a Signature Member of both the California Art Club and the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association.

Currently, his paintings are showing at galleries in Carmel, Pasadena, Balboa Island and in Laguna Beach, where he is a regular exhibitor at the Festival of Arts.

He maintains his studio in Laguna Beach, California.