Laguna Beach Arts Alliance (LBAA) Art Star Awards

ART STAR AWARDS

The Art Star Awards is an annual award ceremony hosted by the Laguna Beach Art Alliance to recognize excellence in outstanding achievements and contributions in the arts in Laguna Beach. The award categories are Best Arts Program, Individual Arts Patron of the Year, Corporate Arts Patron of the Year, Outstanding Arts Collaboration, Arts Leadership, and Artist of the Year.  A special award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts is also presented. The various category winners are given one-of-a-kind sculptures (Louies) created by local artist and celebrity Louis Longi. The “Louies” are created specifically for the Art Star Awards with no molds or editions. The awards ceremony was first held on March 21, 2007 and featured guest speaker Robert Lynch, Americans for the Arts President and CEO.  Since then, keynote speakers have included Donald McKayle, Michael Ramirez, Wylie Aitken, Lee Rocker, Dana Gioia, Rita Rudner, Carl St. Clair, and Joe Mantegna.