The 2011 La Jolla Festival of the Arts showcases two extraordinary artists this year as part of our 25th Anniversary celebration. The images reflect the wide range of styles, colors, textures, and environment of this unique Festival. We are pleased to present Karen McGaw and Linda Pirri.  Please scroll down to meet them and preview their work.

The originals of both images will be auctioned at the Festival. Posters and merchandise featuring the images will be sold in the Festival Store.

Karen McGaw

Karen McGaw has created a graceful and muted palette of colors showcasing the expansive views of La Jolla as seen from the greens of the Torrey Pines Golf Course. She is a nationally-acclaimed artist and Santa Barbara native, who has been capturing the essence of California and European landscapes for the last 30 years with vibrant and sensitive color landscapes of California, Hawaii, Italy, and France. She first exhibited at the La Jolla Festival of the Arts in 1998, which was also her first year as a full time artist.

Linda Pirri

Known for indomitable spirit and desire to love and live, we were thrilled when Linda Pirri stepped forward to paint our 25th Anniversary poster. She is recognized as a contemporary master of the ancient art form called “Serti,” hand painting on pure silk. Her paintings always evoke happy memories of someplace special you have visited. The Anniversary painting exemplifies the Festival itself: location, color, art, music, personality, and commitment to San Diegans with disabilities.