11/17/06

Groundbreaking art museum that gives equal prominence to popular culture and traditional fine art.

by Martha Burr

The Scene
Conveniently located in the heart of Laguna Beach, this innovative museum has been offering thought-provoking exhibits since its 1918 beginnings as a local art association. An expansion in the mid-1980s boosted both the audience and the collection.

The Collection
In recent years, the museum has been a breath of fresh air in the SoCal art scene, offering cutting-edge commentary on pop culture and local California art--even besting LACMA and MOCA in these areas. Past exhibits have focused on surf culture, the relationship between technology, nature and culture, and Sandow Burk's artistic portrayal of a mythical modern-day war between Northern and Southern California. The museum's permanent collection of California art includes many exemplary works, dating from the late 19th century to today's emerging artists. New contemporary acquisitions have made the collection even stronger.