Big Ideas, Real Impact

Get a Quote
Get a Quote

LAGUNA BEACH ARTIST RESEARCH RESOURCES

This guide provides finding aids and resources for researching Laguna Beach artists and the art colony from 1918 to the present. Whether you’re interested in painters, potters, photographers, or other creators, these local archives, libraries, databases, and specialized collections offer starting points. Many resources focus on the historic Laguna Beach Art Association (predecessor to the Laguna Art Museum) and the broader California art scene.

Local Institutions & Archives

  • Laguna Art Museum – Carole Reynolds Art Research Library: One of the premier non-circulating collections on California art and history. Holds over 4,000 books/exhibition catalogs and 2,000+ ephemera items, including artist files. Strong focus on painting, sculpture, prints, photography, and more from the early 19th century to today. Search the catalog online via LibraryThing. On-site use only; ideal for Laguna-specific research. 

  • Laguna Beach Library (local history/special collections): Houses materials collected by art historian Nancy Dustin Wall Moure, including resources on Laguna Beach art, the Laguna Beach Art Association, exhibition records, newsletters, and her index covering 1918–1972. Great for local context.

Online Databases & Digital Collections

  • AskArt.com: Comprehensive database with artist biographies, auction records, exhibition histories, and images. Newport Beach Library often provides free on-site access to the premium version—excellent for sales data and career overviews of Laguna artists. 

  • Archive.org & California Revealed (Laguna Beach Art Association materials): Digitized scrapbooks (1918–1953), studio/gallery log books (1922–1931), and more from the early art association years. Free and searchable—contains visitor names and early California Impressionist references. 

  • Calisphere (Laguna Art Museum & related institutions): Digitized photos, documents, and artifacts from Laguna Beach art history.

Publications & Indexes (confirm availability of thes)

  • Nancy Dustin Wall Moure’s Index to California Art Exhibited at the Laguna Beach Art Association, 1918–1972: Essential reference indexing 37,000+ artworks and providing biographical info on hundreds of artists. Available in university libraries or via Dustin Publications (print-on-demand). Moure also donated research materials and books to the Laguna Art Museum library. 

  • Art in America Annual Guide to Galleries, Museums, and Artists: Comprehensive directory (historically the August issue) listing galleries, museums, and artists nationwide. Check Newport Beach Library or recent digital versions for current dealer/artist info. 

Specialized ResourcesPottery & Copper

  • Brayton Laguna Pottery (1927–1968): Iconic Laguna Beach studio producing ceramics, dinnerware, and figures. Collector sites and auction records often reference marks and history. 

  • Craftsman Studios (Laguna Beach): Known for hand-hammered copper arts & crafts items (vases, bowls, etc.) produced in Laguna. Historical info and examples appear on collector/antique sites; marked pieces often note “Laguna Beach, Calif.”

Photography

  • William Mortensen: Operated the Mortensen School of Photography in Laguna Beach (1931–1965). Pioneer in pictorialist/glamour and experimental techniques; strong local ties. Laguna Art Museum has held dedicated exhibitions on his Laguna period. 

  • George Hurrell: Began his career in Laguna Beach (mid-1920s), photographing local artists before moving to Hollywood glamour portraits. Laguna Art Museum holds examples and has featured his early Laguna work. 

Additional ideas

Research Tips

  • Start with the Moure Index and Laguna Art Museum library for broad coverage.

  • Many resources require appointments or on-site visits—call ahead.

  • For digitized materials, try keyword searches like “Laguna Beach Art Association” + artist name.

  • Check local newspapers (via library databases or Newspapers.com) for exhibition reviews.