things to do in Orange County

Storyboard Workshops with John Ramirez!

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Learn from the best!In conjunction with the Art Institute of Orange County, the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity is pleased to present a storyboard workshop with John Ramirez at the Art Institute of Orange County on Saturday, July 8 and Saturday, July 15, 2017 from 9 AM to 12 PM. The workshop on the 8th is designed for students 13 and younger; the one on the 15th for students, ages 14-19. The workshops are limited to only 24 participants. Reserve your space today by clicking here. 

Ramirez's work can be seen in Toy Story II and Beauty and the Beast, among other animated film projects. He is an award-winning theme park and Rose Bowl float designer. He cites Chuck Jones as one of his major influences. 

Class to take place at Art Institute of Orange County campus, 3601 W. Sunflower Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92704. Call the Center with questions or for more information.949-660-7793 x 1007. Reserve your space by clicking on this sentence.

A Twisted Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Waste

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Chuck Jones Center for Creativity Presents a Creative Classroom Led byLeigh Rubin, Author & Illustrator of the Syndicated Comic Strip, Rubes®

Sunday, November 15 from 2 to 4 PM

A Musical Performance by Andrew Rubin Will Close the Workshop

Costa Mesa, Ca: Need more humor in your life? The world is a serious place and let’s face it, we all need to lighten up. There really is humor in almost any situation, but how do we find it? All it takes is a bit of mental twist to look at your world in a funny way. Discover the humor in your own life by mentally stepping out of your normal routine and into your very own twistedly absurd and funny world! This illustrated lecture and workshop is a comic adventure inside the ridiculously twisted mind of Leigh Rubin, Rubes® cartoonist and “sit down” comic. This afternoon presentation is free and open to the public and is recommended for ages 10 and above. At the end of the lecture, Leigh’s talented musician son, Andrew, will perform for approximately one-half hour.

Leigh Rubin began his cartooning career in 1978 by establishing his own greeting card company, Rubes® Publications. His first cartoon collection, the popular Notable Quotes musical cartoons was published in 1981. Originally self-syndicated, 2014 marked the 30th anniversary of his daily cartoon, Rubes®, which is now distributed by Creators Syndicate to more than 400 newspapers and media outlets worldwide. Rubes® appears in major daily metropolitan newspapers, such as the Los Angeles Daily News, the Vancouver Sun, the Oregonian, the Staten Island Advance, the Washington Times, the Sacramento Bee, the Houston Chronicle, and the Orange County Register. Rubin recently launched a new website, WhyGrowUp.Club, celebrating life’s simple pleasures.

The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity’s Creative Classroom began with a workshop led by children’s author and illustrator, Kelly Light, in February 2015 and is a quarterly free-to-the-public workshop presented by the Center. Award-winning actor and illustrator, Richard Kinsey delighted the summer crowd with his innovative take on storytelling. The Center is pleased to present “A Twisted Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Waste”, led by the funny and charming, Leigh Rubin, as part of this ongoing series.

Andrew Rubin, of California's Central Coast, has been cultivating his passion for music since he was thirteen years old. He is best known as the lead guitarist of the rock trio, The Spaces Between, and has a background of various musical projects involving Pop, Jazz, Funk, and more. In more recent times, Andrew discovered a new-found love for classical music and, with support from peers and mentors, has taken up composition. Now 20, he is currently working on his third classical piece, and aims to continue with great vigor the writing and performance that brings him so much joy, as well as further exploration and progress in all branches of his musical career. The Center is pleased to present Andrew Rubin in a short concert appearance after his father’s workshop.

The Leigh Rubin Creative Classroom is on Sunday, November 15, 2015 from 2 to 4 PM. It is free and open to the public. RSVP is required. Please contact Programs@ChuckJonesCenter.org or call 949-660-7793 x 107 to reserve your seat.

Author & Illustrator, Kelly Light, to Lead Workshop at the Center!

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Kelly Light is the author and illustrator of the picture book Louise Loves Art.  It is a story about the importance of creativity in all its forms. Louise loves art more than anything; it's her imagination on the outside. She is determined to create a masterpiece—her pièce de résistance! Create your own pièce de résistance on Sunday, March 8 from 3 to 5 PM as author and illustrator Kelly Light leads a one-day only workshop at the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity, 3321 Hyland Ave., Suite A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Admission is free and open to the public, but reservations are a must. Call 949-669-7793 x 20107 or email Sasha@ChuckJonesCenter.org for more information and to RSVP. This program is appropriate for ages 7 to 12. 

Kelly will talk about the connections between cartoons and children’s books. How she used what she learned in animation to write and create characters that may be still on the page, but alive to the reader.  How acting with your pencil can put personality into your drawings.  

Together, doing drawing exercises with character prompts, the children can create a character of their own and a short story board to start them on their own creative journey. 

Kelly Light also loves art, especially cartoons. Growing up she loved watching cartoons and drawing cartoon characters. She went off to art school determined to start a career in animation which lead to working as a character artist for cartoon licensing. She spent a very long time drawing some of the most beloved cartoon characters, including the characters created by her favorite artist of all time, Chuck Jones.  

It was a chance meeting with Mr. Jones that sparked the desire to create her characters. Years later, Louise was created and published and is now a seven book series that hopes to inspire kids to be creative and pick up their own pencils and draw out their imaginations. 

Louise Loves Art will be available for sale that day and Ms. Light has agreed to sign copies purchased at the Center.

Creativity Season 2014 The "UN"GALA--A Looney Masquerade!

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Chuck Jones Center for Creativity presents Creativity Season: The 'Un'Gala, A Looney Masquerade where "character required, costume optional" is the motto. Join us Saturday, October 11, 2014 from 6 to 10 PM for an 'un'gala like none you have ever been to before with Silent and Live Auctions, Creativity Stations (Mask Making, Performance Poetry by Jacqueline Suskin, Caricatures by Naylene, Photo Booth, Hands-on Animation, Guitar Playing, Mural Painting to Beautify the Orange County Zoo), and Creative Culinary Delights provided by 24 Carrots, CeCe Le Creme, Susan Heaton--Authentic Chef, and other local Cuisine Artists! Buy your tickets by October 10, 2014 for $50 per person or $75 per at the door the night of the event. A limited number of VIP tickets for $100 per person are available. VIP tickets include hosted bar and a gift bag. But that's not all, folks! Buy your tickets before Wednesday, October 8th, and be automatically entered to win a Chuck Jones "In Character" cel art edition or a Fabio Napoleoni "Seriously" fine art edition on paper. Go VIP and if you win the raffle a Kindle Fire will be included!

Become a Benefactor of Creativity Season by donating $10,000 to $500 and receive a special gift! All sponsorships offer additional entitlements which may include program book recognition, audio visual inclusion, and event signage. Please call 949-660-7791 x 107 for more information on these benefits. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Tax I.D. #45-2982522

Buy your tickets here by clicking on this sentence. Visit our online silent auction and bid on fun, delicious, and beautiful stuff!

Thanksgiving Creativity Camp in Full Swing

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The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity's Thanksgiving Week Creativity Camp got off to a rousing start this morning with camp-goers descending upon a partially prepared mural on which they added their own creative input, painting Chuck Jones cartoon characters, flowers, birds, trees, and rainbows. The Center's resident teaching artist, Chris Scardino, guided each of them with his usual steady mien and program director, Sasha Advani, made sure they were well-nourished with snacks such as yogurt and fresh fruit. Yummy! The Center is planning four weeks of Creativity Camp in the summer of 2014. For more information write Sasha@ChuckJonesCenter.org or call 949-660-7793 x 20107.

The Center's Fall Fundraiser, Creativity Season, Scheduled for September 28

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Learn How the Center Has Enriched the Lives of Young PeopleAnd Have Fun Doing It!

Chuck Jones Center for Creativity Fall Fundraiser, Creativity Season Scheduled

September 28, 2013

Musical Entertainment by Broadway Star, Steve Landes

Costa Mesa, CA: The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity announced today that some of children whose lives have been enriched by its programs, will be the special guests at Creativity Season, to be held Saturday, September 28, 2013 from 6 PM to 10 PM at the Center, 3321 Hyland Avenue, Suite A, Costa Mesa, CA in the South Coast Collection (SoCo).  

“Gala” tickets are $75.00 and include hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and dinner. Silent and live auctions will be presented throughout the evening and after dinner the Center is pleased to present a song cycle by Steve Landes, star of the Broadway revue, “Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles.”

“Premiere” tickets are $125.00 per person and include all of the above plus the opportunity to sit with one of the ten noted artists that have worked with Chuck Jones or are respected artists in their fields such as: Eric Goldberg (Disney animation director “Aladdin”, “The Princess and the Frog”), Mike Peraza (Disney Art Director “The Little Mermaid”), Ron Burns (noted animal portraitist), Jeff DeGrandis (producer and director “Dora the Explorer”), as well as with Chuck’s wife, Marian Jones, a well-known photographer and writer, and his daughter, Linda, the founder of Linda Jones Enterprises, his publisher and art representative.

The evening will be catered by the Center’s partner, 24 carrots Catering & Events. Tickets may be purchased online at http://shop.chuckjonescenter.org/collections/tickets or by phone at 949-660-7793.

“Creativity is me just being me,” said Laura Tanimoto, one of the evening’s special guests. Inspired by Chuck Jones, Laura has participated in classes and volunteered at the Center over the past year. Her donated artwork for the Red Dot Auction was one of the most hotly contested of the evening’s silent auctions. 

“We are excited to share the major milestones the Center has produced this past year,” said Craig Kausen, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Center and Chuck’s grandson. “And it will also help explain the important work we do. It is a challenge these days to find adequate arts education; creativity is one of the most important attributes of highly successful scientists, mathematicians, and business leaders. The Center is committed to helping everyone, but particularly children, find the creative genius that resides in each of us.”

About the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity: The Center was founded in 1999 by four-time Academy Award recipient and legendary animation creator and director, Chuck Jones. The Center’s vision is to inspire the innate creative genius within each person that leads to a more joyous, passionate, and harmonious life and world.

These are important goals, particularly in today’s world, when arts education is practically non-existent; we are dedicated to re-invigorating the creative spirit and we are doing it through art classes, exhibitions, lectures, and film festivals, all of which spring from the material in the Chuck Jones archive. Jones was a determined saver and his writings, art, and other ephemera from a nine-decade life, along with his philosophy of guiding and nurturing instruction, form the basis of our programs.

About Steve Landes: From New York’s famed Broadway to the West End in London, Steve Landes has been performing to packed houses. An original Broadway cast member of the show, “RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles” (Winner, 2011 Drama Desk Award for ‘Outstanding Revue’), Steve is currently touring worldwide with the show, in the role of John Lennon. When not on tour with RAIN, Steve performs solo with acoustic guitar, singing soulful versions of some of the greatest pop songs from the past five decades.

For more information, photo files, or to arrange an interview, please call Robert Patrick at 949-660-7791 x 22103 or via email rpatrick@ChuckJonesCenter.org.

Calling all parents! This is the program for you! Drop Off & Dine on April 4 at 5:30pm

Enjoy dinner without the kids, but have them nearby! "Drop Off" your children at the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity and "Dine" at one of the restaurants at SoCo or the The OC Mix. Your kids will participate in various creative activities with the inspiration of Chuck Jones's animation, film, and fine art.-Ages 4+ (must be potty-trained)

-Introductory Prices: 1 Child=$30.00, 2 Children=$35.00, 3 Children=$40.00

-They have to be your children, no piggybacks allowed!

-Parents must stay within SoCo or The OC Mix premises

-Parent will sign-in & sign-out each child and provide a cell phone number

-Dinner for children can be purchased or bring it from home

 

Drop Off & Dine is on Thursday, April 4, 2012 from 5:30-8:30pm at the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity, 3321 Hyland, Suite A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.

 

Reserve your spot today!!  Sasha Advani (949) 660-7793 x107 or Sasha@ChuckJonesCenter.org

**April participants recieve 2 FREE Class Vouchers per child for Pastelicious or Dynamic Dioramas taught by Christopher Scardino!

The Chuck Jones Essential Reading List Book Club & Discussion Group!

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The Chuck Jones Essential Reading List Book Club and Discussion Group(Served with Tea & Cake)

New Program at Chuck Jones Center for Creativity Launches in February

Costa Mesa, CA: Linda Jones Clough, daughter of legendary animation director and creator, Chuck Jones, and founding trustee of the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity located at 3321 Hyland Ave., Suite A, Costa Mesa, CA—in South Coast Collection (SoCo), announced today the formation and first meeting date of theChuck Jones Essential Reading List Book Club & Discussion Group for Wednesday, February 27 from 7 to 8 PM at the Center. A suggested donation to the Center for participating is $15.00 per meeting.

“Many years ago, my father made a list of what he considered to be an essential reading list for any literate, English-speaking person. He felt that all 49 books should be read at least once, if not more often.The Chuck Jones Essential Reading List Book Club & Discussion Group will work its way through the list one book per month,” said Mrs. Clough, “we’ll start with James Stephens’ “The Crock of Gold”, a rich mix of folklore and philosophy by one of Ireland’s renowned authors.”

No one is too old or too young to join the club as long as they are willing to read the book and participate in the discussion. The book club will meet every fourth Wednesday of the month from 7 to 8 PM at the Center. Participants are expected to read the book or story prior to the discussion meeting and be prepared to share ideas, inspiration, or short passages of interest. The leader for the discussion will rotate among participants; each leader for the next month’s meeting will volunteer the prior month.

The books selected for the first half of 2013 from the Chuck Jones Essential Reading List are: February 27, “The Crock of Gold” by James Stephens; March 27, “Cabbages and Kings” by O’Henry; April 24, “Farewell My Lovely” by Raymond Chandler; May 22, “The Red Pony by John Steinbeck; June 26, “Peter Rabbit” by Beatrix Potter. The entire year’s worth of books and meeting dates can be found at the Center’s website calendar of events, www.ChuckJonesCenter.org/calendar.

Many of the books are available for free by downloading them to your Kindle or other tablet/computer or for a few dollars through Amazon and other venues for those who prefer the sweet smell of paper and turning actual pages instead of virtual ones.

The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity is  a not-for-profit 501(c)3 charity located at 3321 Hyland Ave., Ste. A, Costa Mesa, CA. Founded in 1999 by four-time Academy Award recipient and legendary animation creator and director, Chuck Jones, the Center’s vision is to inspire the innate creative genius within each person that leads to a more joyous, passionate, and harmonious life and world.