Students and professionals alike are showing their talent as they paint the Laguna Beach coastline this week.
The Laguna Plein Air Painting Invitational brings in 30 of the country’s best plein air artists for a week of events and painting Laguna Beach’s landscapes.
Artist Charles F. Kovacic talks to students at Heisler Park in Laguna Beach, CA on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Local students had the opportunity to paint and learn with artists from the Laguna Beach Plein Air Painters Association as part of the group’s annual painting invitational. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A student’s painting is still on the easel at Heisler Park in Laguna Beach, CA on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Local students got to paint with artists from the Laguna Beach Plein Air Painters Association as part of the group’s annual painting invitational. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Students artwork is displayed at Heisler Park in Laguna Beach, CA on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Local students had the opportunity to paint and learn with artists from the Laguna Beach Plein Air Painters Association as part of the group’s annual painting invitational. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Artist Charles F. Kovacic paints at Heisler Park in Laguna Beach, CA on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. The Laguna Beach Plein Air Painters Association is hosting its annual painting invitational through Oct. 12th. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Laguna Beach High School student Stella Mamula paints at Heisler Park in Laguna Beach, CA on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Local students got to paint with artists from the Laguna Beach Plein Air Painters Association as part of the group’s annual painting invitational. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Artist Charles F. Kovacic talks to students at Heisler Park in Laguna Beach, CA on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Local students had the opportunity to paint and learn with artists from the Laguna Beach Plein Air Painters Association as part of the group’s annual painting invitational. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Visitors can watch a work being created and engage with the artists.
Artists can use much of the Orange County coastline as inspiration, but many highlight the local Laguna Beach area, said Celeste Gilles, vice president of Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, which puts on the event.
Artists choose when and where they paint, but most choose the morning or evening hours for ideal light.
One of the week’s events brought 32 local students out for a morning of painting with and learning from professional artists.
Students get to keep the easels, paints and brushes they used during the mentoring, with organizers hoping their interest in art continues.
“We want to inspire them to keep wanting to paint and be engaged with the arts and the art community,” Gilles said.
More information about the invitational and events planned this week can be found at lpapa.org.
