Blog

An Unforgettable Night of Giving, Miracle of Mobility Gala
08.05.19
The 16th annual Miracle of Mobility gala was an unforgettable evening on July 25 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts filled with surprises, inspiration and the pure joy of giving culminated with Free Wheelchair Mission (FWM) receiving over $1.8 million in donations in one night. It was the most funds raised at this event and enough to transform the lives of more than 22,500 individuals living with disabilities in under-resourced nations around the world. Already, the humanitarian nonprofit has distributed 1.2 million wheelchairs around the world.
TV personality and gold medalist Victoria Arlen had an incredible story of regaining mobility after a decade of being paralyzed from the waist down. And then, guests virtually traveled to a small Guatemalan village using Oculus VR glasses on a mission to distribute wheelchairs. Lastly, there was a live auction where generous donors bought wheelchairs for individuals living with a disability in an under-resourced nation. Each $80 donation will buy one wheelchair – changing that person’s life forever as he or she begins a life of mobility.
FWM provides renewed dignity, independence and hope through the gift of mobility at no cost to the recipient. Just $80, the cost to manufacture and deliver one wheelchair, can change a person’s life forever. Founded in 2001 by Don Schoendorfer, Ph.D., the organization reached the milestone of distributing one million wheelchairs in 2017. FWM currently intends to distribute the next million wheelchairs by 2025.
For information or donations, visit freewheelchairmission.org.

Blog

The Festival of Arts Fine Arts Show weekly events
08.05.19
The Festival of Arts Fine Arts Show offers weekly events that you won't want to miss. From live music to workshops and art classes, here is the schedule for the week of Monday, Aug. 5 to Friday, Aug. 9.
Weekday Nightly Music Schedule
Daily at 5:30 p.m. through Sept. 1
Cost: Free with $10 Festival Admission
- Monday, August 5: Terry Wollman
- Tuesday, August 6: The Surf City All-Stars (part of the Tribute Tuesday music series)
- Wednesday, August 7: Anne Walsh and “Pretty World”
- Thursday, August 8: Kleber Jorge (part of the Art, Jazz, Wine & Chocolate series)
- Friday, August 9: Girl’s Jazz Night (part of the Step into the Spotlight Music series)
Youth Arts Education Workshops
Dates/Times: July 8 – August 16
Mondays – Fridays 1pm & 3pm
Cost: $20+ material fee/session
Bring out that creative spark in your young artist at the Youth Art Classes this summer at the Festival of Arts. Kids will enjoy art classes taught by professional Festival artists in mixed-media, watercolors, collage and more. Meanwhile, parents will have free time to view the artwork on display throughout the Festival grounds. Festival artists will also share some of their creative techniques in a fun and friendly environment that will inspire your kids to come back every week! Open to children ages 5 – 12. Reservations required. For schedule and reservations, visit LagunaFestivalofArts.org.
- Monday, August 5: Cartoons (1 p.m.), Pastels (3 p.m.)
- Tuesday, August 6: Ceramics (1 p.m.), Printmaking (3 p.m.)
- Wednesday, August 7: Ceramics (1 p.m.), Assemblage (3 p.m.)
- Thursday, August 8: Recycled Art (1 p.m.), Ceramics (3 p.m.)
- Friday, August 9: Sculpture (1 p.m.), Mixed Media (3 p.m.)
Art & Story Time on Monday, August 5 from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Free with $10 Festival admission
Art and Story Time is a weekly series for children 5 and under.
Portraits on the Green on Tuesday, August 6 from 1 – 2 p.m.
Free with $10 Festival admission
Watch as Festival of Arts exhibitors paint, sculpt or photograph live models on the Festival’s Concert Stage.
Art Talks and Tea on Wednesday, Aug. 7 from 1 – 2 p.m.
Free with $10 Festival admission
Whether you’re an informed connoisseur, an amateur collector, or an art lover, join the fascinating and informative discussions with the Festival of Arts exhibitors at Art Talks and Tea, sponsored by PBS SoCal.
Art, Jazz, Wine & Chocolate on Thursday, August 8 from 5:30 – 7 p.m.
$20 in addition to $10 Festival admission. Limited seating available in reserved section for $35 per person (includes Festival admission).
Chocolate, wine, and all that jazz sweetens up the Festival of Arts this summer! On Thursday nights, indulge your senses at the Art, Jazz, Wine and Chocolate series.
Accomplished studio musician and renowned singer/songwriter/guitarist/vocalist, Kleber Jorge, has been captivating audiences for over two decades. Kleber Jorge, who tours with Sergio Mendes and others, hails from a family rich in musical tradition.
Art and Yoga with Lululemon on Friday, August 9 from 1 – 2 p.m.
Free with $10 Festival admission
Grab your yoga mat and get ready to flex your creative muscles at the Festival of Arts for “Art and Yoga.”
Adult and Teen Art Workshops Printmaking with Noriho Uriu on Friday, August 9 from 3 – 5:30 p.m.
$60 (includes Festival admission)
Explore the art of printmaking at the Festival of Arts! In this class, students will combine paper collaging with a relief plate to take home their own unique, one-of-a-kind fine art monoprint. Discover your inner artist at the Festival of Art’s Adult and Teen Art Workshops! Ages 13 and up. Reservations preferred. For full schedule and reservations, visit LagunaFestivalofArts.org.
Step into the Spotlight Music Series
Girl’s Jazz Night Friday, August 9 5:30 – 7 p.m. Free with $10 Festival admission. Limited seating available in reserved section for $20 per person (includes Festival admission).
On Fridays, the Festival brings to the center stage some of those amazing voices that are usually seen (and heard) in the background with the music series “Step into the Spotlight.”
Pints, Pinots and Prints on Friday, August 9 from 8:30 – 10 p.m.
Cost: $75 (includes Festival admission)
Create a beautiful one-of-a-kind print with Festival exhibitor Vinita Voogd! Using a variety of colorful handmade papers and hand-cut relief blocks, students will learn the basics of monoprint and overprint techniques in this creative printmaking class. Beginners and all levels are invited – take home your finished masterpiece! All supplies and complimentary wine or beverage are included. For adults 21 and up. Reservations required, visit LagunaFestivalofArts.org.
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