Festival of Arts Children Plein Air Painting Program Made Possible By American Express Co.

City Desks & Entertainment Editors

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 5, 2002

Beginning Tuesday, Aug. 6, the Festival of Arts will conduct a four-week Children Plein Air Painting Program for 7- to 15-year-olds.

This program, made possible by a $10,000 grant from the American Express Co., is designed to educate children on the basics of Plein Air painting with a hands-on approach. Activities will focus on artistic perception, creative expression, historical and cultural context and aesthetic valuing.

The children will be painting from life outdoors throughout Laguna Beach, including the Festival of Arts grounds, Heisler Park and Main Beach. The development of this program is the direct result of a successful one-day Plein Air art class conducted by the Festival of Arts this past April.

The classes will be instructed by Mark Kerckhoff, Festival of Arts exhibitor and winner of the 2000 Laguna Beach Invitational Plein Air painting competition. "I'm happy to teach kids to paint outdoors and interpret what is in front of them," Kerckhoff said.

In preparation for this class, young people will be provided with the easels, canvas, and paint to try their hand at painting in the great outdoors.

"This is a chance of a lifetime for children in this age group. They will remember this exciting and joyful experience for the rest of their lives," said Patrick Kelly, who oversees the Festival of Arts Education Department.

The Festival of Arts has expanded its art educational programs in recent years to help fill the arts educational gap in schools by exposing children to more complex and challenging art activities. "Ultimately, we hope that the programs have a positive impact on a child's development and view of the world.

"We expect the long-term results will include the pursuit of continual arts education for the students and will create awareness for the cultural, historical and societal views of the arts in Orange County," said Festival of Arts president Scott Moore. Moore continued, "We are very pleased and thankful that American Express Company shares our vision for arts education and is supporting this program."

"It is a part of American Express being good citizens in the communities in which we live and work," said Wendy Boyd, manager of account development with American Express Establishment Services.

The Festival of Arts is a non-profit organization whose proceeds go to support the arts in and about Laguna Beach. Its mission is to promote, produce and sponsor events and activities that encourage the appreciation, study and performance of the arts. The Festival of Arts -- California's Premier Fine Art Exhibition is open daily Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. through 11:30 p.m. through Sept. 1, 2002.