Behind the construction fencing that now surrounds the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts, heavy demolition is underway as the art grounds are being demolished to make way for an improved renovated art facility. Demolition crews from Turner Construction are at work tearing down the cement canopies that contained the Festival’s exhibit space, art center and concert stage since 1964.
Construction crews clear the way for the a newly renovated Festival of Arts facility
The grounds improvement project, approved by the Laguna Beach City Council in July 2015, was postponed for a year due to the threat of El Nino conditions. “We are very excited that the project is finally proceeding,” commented Festival of Arts president Fred Sattler.
In September, before construction had begun, the design for the grounds won a Citation Award from the American Institute of Architects’ Orange County Chapter for its innovative concept that is an extension of the recently finished Festival façade. Upon completion this multi-million dollar renovation will offer a new layout for gallery spaces, concert area, and art workshops. The plans also call for additional and updated restrooms and wider pathways. Tensile roof pavilions will shelter artwork from sun and rain, the green lawn where patrons picnic and enjoy concerts will be nearer to the entry, the gift shop will be relocated and expanded, and the junior art exhibit will have a prominent location near the entrance. The more user-friendly grounds are brought into compliance with all current accessibility standards and incorporate progressive sustainability features including storm water bio-retention, LED lighting, natural ventilation and the use of rapidly renewable and recycled materials.
Video Clips:
Here are some short clips of the demolition
https://youtu.be/D0e2Ch5nMIc and https://youtu.be/JGI2NvMklV0
This extensive overhaul is expected to wrap up just in time for the Festival of Arts opening next July. “We hope that the community is looking forward to our new ‘digs’ as much as we are,” said Sattler.
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Festival of Arts / Pageant of the Masters
650 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Main Office
949-494-1145
Ticket Office
949-497-6582
1-800-487-3378 ( toll free )
Contact via Email
Meghan Perez – Marketing/PR Coordinator
Sharbie Higuchi, Director of Marketing and Public Relations
