Artists show their true colors

There was art, music and even a raffle at the fifth annual “Colors of Long Beach” fine arts exposition, held at the Long Beach Community Center on Magnolia Boulevard on Nov. 15.

Presented by West End Arts Visual Artists Guild, the free event featured an array of artist and photography exhibits and artist demonstrations. The Magnolia Jazz Band, composed of local musicians, had everyone’s toes tapping throughout the lively exposition, as Long Beach music entertainer and arts advocate Joanne “J-Bird” Phillips kept everything flowing as mistress of ceremonies.

At one point, a large and anxious crowd gathered around the main stage for the calling of the 50/50 winner and a free raffle for a “Basket of Cheer” to benefit the Interfaith Nutrition Network, which helps to support the Long Beach Soup Kitchen.

West End Arts President Kathleen Regan, along with Bob Shanley, Scott Miller and the rest of the WEA crew organized the event. The City of Long Beach, along with Pat McCormack, director of Youth and Family Services sponsored the space for this annual community event. And local politicians and Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg obtained a grant from the state Department of Parks & Recreation to help fund the event.

Membership information for West End Arts can be found at www.westendarts.org.