LAGUNA BEACH, CA – In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Festival of Arts has unveiled its newest offsite exhibition, Women of the Festival: Celebrating Women’s History Month, now on view at the Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center through April 30, 2026. Curated from the Festival of Arts Permanent Art Collection, the exhibition highlights the lasting influence of women artists who have contributed to Laguna Beach’s rich artistic legacy and the Festival’s nearly century-long history.
Featuring 28 artworks by 17 women artists, the exhibition spans nearly a century, from early pioneers of Laguna Beach’s art colony in the 1920s to contemporary artists exhibiting with the Festival today. Through paintings, prints, drawings, and sculpture, Women of the Festival showcases the evolving styles, mediums, and perspectives of women who helped define the cultural fabric of Laguna Beach.
“Women have always played a vital role in the Festival of Arts, from the early Laguna Beach art colony to today’s artists and leaders,” said Sharbie Higuchi, PR, Marketing and Merchandising Director for the Festival of Arts. “This exhibition celebrates their creativity, determination, and vision, honoring those who shaped our community and continue to inspire future generations.”
Featured Artists
Highlights from the exhibition include works by contemporary Festival artists such as Sandra Jones Campbell, Jessica DeStefano, Susan Hoehn, Kathy Jones, Pegah Samaie, Vinita Voogd, Ishii Mariko, and Kirsten Whalen. Historical figures include Elanor Colburn, Anna Althea Hills, Joane Cromwell, Alice Verema Fullerton, Louise Leyden, Elsie Palmer Payne, Virginia Woolley, Miriam Shelton, Mia Krantz, Julita Jones, and Jacquie Moffett.
Among the featured works are Joane Cromwell’s Festival in Laguna (c. 1935), depicting one of the Festival’s earliest locations and the vibrant artistic community of the time, and Virginia Woolley’s Flower Stalls (1932), the first documented artwork purchased from the Festival. Contemporary highlights include Pegah Samaie’s Heart of Gravity (2019), reflecting themes of identity and resilience, and Sandra Jones Campbell’s Every Soul is a Circus (2009), which captures layered social narratives through dynamic expressionist-inspired compositions.
Visit the Exhibition
Women of the Festival: Celebrating Women’s History Month is on display through April 30 at the Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center, located at 235 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach, CA 92651. In addition to the exhibition, the Center will host a series of events throughout March in celebration of Women’s History Month. For more information and the full schedule, visit lbculturalartscenter.org.
Stay connected with the Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters on social media by following @FestivalPageant. To support the Festival of Arts and its cultural programs, visit foapom.com/supportnow.
About the Festival of Arts: The Festival of Arts is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and a longstanding cultural leader in Laguna Beach, dedicated to supporting the arts and enriching the community. Established in 1932, the Festival produces two world-class events — the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show and the Pageant of the Masters — which together attract nearly 200,000 visitors annually. For general information, visit LagunaFestivalofArts.org or call (949) 494-1145.