The Festival of Arts/Pageant of the Masters will hold its on-site contest — Search for Her Smile — on the Festival grounds during the Festival of Arts from July 5 to Aug. 31.
The “Pursuit of Happiness” is the theme of the Festival of Arts/Pageant of the Masters this year, and what better way to reflect happiness than with a smile? But not just any smile — Mona Lisa’s smile.
The “Pursuit of Happiness” is really about the pursuit of that simple smile. One of the charms of the Mona Lisa — arguably the world’s most famous painting — is that her smile seems to come and go. Scientists claim to have come up with an answer to her changing mood — she’s not changing at all; it’s us.
It’s our eyes that are sending mixed signals to the brain. They say our interpretation of Mona Lisa’s expression depends on what cells in the eye’s retina view the painting, and through which visual channel that image is sent to the brain. Whichever channel is dominant will determine whether or not you interpret her expression as a smile.
Search for Her Smile encourages visitors to the Festival of Arts to find the Mona Lisa hidden among the artists’ works on the Festival grounds. In order to win, guests must locate the Mona Lisa, go to the Fine Arts Sales booth and inform a Festival employee which artist has the classic painting. Winners can claim their prize — a commemorative poster — between 10 a.m.-8 p.m. The hidden Mona Lisa will change location throughout the Festival of Arts.
About The Laguna Beach Festival of Arts
The Laguna Beach Festival of Arts is a 501c3 with a mission to promote, produce, and sponsor events and activities that encourage the appreciation, study and performance of the arts. Throughout each year the Festival of Arts sponsors art education and provides art scholarships and grants. Every summer the organization hosts California’s premier open-air fine art show and produces the Pageant of the Masters. For general information, call 949-494-1145 or visit the website at www.LagunaFestivalofArts.org. The event is located at 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, California.
Joe Haakenson
