60th Annual Sierra Madre Art Fair Featured Artist
The Friends of the Sierra Madre Public Library are proud to announce that the Featured Artist for the 60th Annual Sierra Madre Art Fair is Laura Wambsgans.
A native Californian, Laura Wambsgans embarked on her journey into landscape oil painting nineteen years ago, following a successful tenure as the managing director of a major recording studio and two decades as a sculptor. Under the guidance of renowned artist Matt Smith and other esteemed landscape painters, she immersed herself in intensive studies, painting daily to master the intricacies of capturing the interplay of light and land through color and paint quality.
Wambsgans’ artistic contributions have graced both solo and group exhibitions nationwide, including prominent venues such as the Riverside Museum, Bakersfield Museum, Lancaster Museum, and Ventura Museum. Since 1986, she has actively participated in numerous national plein air events. In 2006, Laura took the lead in the “Chasing Open Spaces” environmental project, dedicated to depicting the open spaces of the Santa Clarita Valley. The exhibits resulting from this initiative played a pivotal role in the preservation of Elsmere Canyon in Santa Clarita, CA.
An engaged member of artistic communities, Laura Wambsgans is associated with esteemed organizations such as the Oil Painters of America, Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore, California Art Club, and serves as a founding member of the PAC6 Painters.
Laura shares her thoughts about being chosen as Featured Artist: “At the close of last year’s Art Fair, I was approached by Sharon and Alison, who asked if I would be interested in being the Featured Artist for the 2025 show, marking its 60th year. I was truly caught off guard and at a loss for words. It’s an incredible honor to be selected from among so many talented artists participating in the fair. What makes this opportunity even more meaningful to me personally is that my mom, Carolyn Gravatte, was the featured artist for the 50th anniversary of the show.”
My thoughts about the Art Fair: “I always tell my art buddies that the Sierra Madre Art Fair, benefiting the Friends of the Sierra Madre Library, is the best outdoor fair in all of Southern California. Tucked in the heart of town, the fair offers something for everyone, young and old. In addition to a well-juried and widely diversified roster of artists showcasing their best work, there are plenty of activities for kids, while live music fills the air. The staff is professional and organized, yet always ready to help. Lastly, the camaraderie amongst the artists is fantastic. We spend the weekend catching up, sharing art tips, and cheering one another on.”
This year’s Art Fair is being held in Memorial Park on Saturday, May 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, May 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Laura’s landscape oil painting “Sycamores Graceful and Glowing” will appear on all post cards, posters, flyers, and other promotional materials. Be sure to stop by her booth (#31) to admire and purchase her inspiring creations.