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Catalina Museum for Art & History Presents Work by Sonia Romero

06.15.25

The Catalina Museum for Art & History is now showcasing From Los Angeles to Catalina: The Art of Sonia Romero, an intimate and visually rich exhibition by celebrated Los Angeles-based artist Sonia Romero. On view through Sept. 27, 2025, the exhibition features Romero’s iconic silkscreen prints, paintings, and a new site-specific piece capturing the nostalgic charm and layered cultural history of Catalina Island.

Romero, known for her intricate paper cutting, printmaking, and mixed-media paintings, spent summer 2024 in Avalon connecting with the local community. During her stay, she led museum workshops and explored the museum’s extensive archive of vintage Catalina ephemera, gathering visual references and historical insight for her latest work.

Deeply rooted in Chicano culture and shaped by the landscapes of California, Romero’s art explores themes of identity, community, and connection to place. The exhibition marks the beginning of her ongoing exploration of Catalina Island, a journey sparked by her first visit to the island at age 14. With plans for future works already underway, Romero intends to return to Avalon to continue expanding the series.

Visitors to the museum will be the first to experience this evolving body of work, a visual dialogue between artist and island that blends memory and imagination.

Exhibition details

From Los Angeles to Catalina: The Art of Sonia Romero

On view through Sept. 27, 2025

Catalina Museum for Art & History
217 Metropole Ave., Avalon, CA 90704

Museum hours
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Mondays from September (after Labor Day) through May
Closed New Year’s Day, July 4, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day

Admission
Adults $18
Seniors 60 and older, active military and veterans, healthcare workers and students $15
Catalina Island residents with proof of residency $12
Golden State Advantage cardholders with up to two adults and their children under 18 Free
Children 15 and under with paid adult Free

For more information about the Catalina Museum for Art & History, visit CatalinaMuseum.org. 

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RJB Restaurant Group Expands Parlor and Olea Footprints

06.14.25

Orange County restaurateur Russ Bendel continues to grow his collection of popular dining destinations, recently expanding two of his standout restaurants: Parlor Woodfire Kitchen & Cocktails in San Clemente and Olea, Cellar. Craft. Cook in Newport Beach. Each gained more than 1,200 square feet of new space, the result of creative thinking and impeccable timing.

Parlor’s Lower Level

When Parlor opened in San Clemente last July, the building’s underused lower level served only as storage. But as the restaurant quickly gained a loyal following—and increasing demand for more bar and private dining space—Bendel and his team saw an opportunity to transform the downstairs into a vibrant new area.

Now called the Lower Level, the space features two distinct rooms: El Camino Lounge, a cozy private space with an eight-seat bar and vintage décor, and Mae Mae’s Den, a 14-seat private dining room. The Lower Level offers complimentary arcade games, darts, a billiards table, and multiple large-screen TVs. Mae Mae’s Den also features a custom table cover that allows guests to enjoy a meal before converting the space back into a game room. Since opening in mid-May, the Lower Level has been a popular venue for private events and helps accommodate weekend overflow.

Olea 2.0

Bendel’s Olea, a Newport Beach favorite for seven years, has also seen an expansion driven by customer demand. Frequent requests for private dining and weekend wait times made it clear that additional space was needed. When a neighboring retail space became available, Bendel took action.

The newly added 1,200-square-foot space seats 54 for dining and 65 for cocktails and blends seamlessly with the existing restaurant. A motorized screen can close off the area for private events, and a baby grand piano provides either live music or automated background entertainment.

At the heart of the addition is the Mariner’s Room, an intimate private dining room that accommodates up to 16 guests and features its own restroom. A 65-inch flat screen offers an elegant solution for business presentations or entertainment, doubling as wall art when not in use.

With these two expansions, RJB Restaurant Group continues to deliver new experiences for its loyal guests, proving once again that opportunity favors those who are ready to innovate.

Parlor, Woodfire Kitchen & Cocktails is at 216 N El Camino Real, San Clemente. 949.503.1509.

Olea is at 2001 Westcliff Dr Suite 100, Newport Beach. 949.287.6807

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