The Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center will present "Rainbow River," a visual art exhibition by 16-year-old artist Clara Woods during First Thursdays Art Walk on August 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. It is Clara’s first art show in California.

 
This inaugural exhibition took place in Florence, Italy, where Clara was born. Since then, Clara has had 30 exhibitions on three continents. In 2021, Louis Vuitton hosted Clara's art show at Art Basel in Miami. She has sold more than 700 paintings internationally and moved to California with her parents and younger brother after receiving her American visa as an extraordinary talent.
 
“Clara's success story has proven to be an inspiration to many,” said her mother Betina Genovesi, who with her husband manages their daughter’s exhibition schedule. “Clara is thrilled to exhibit for the first time her largest artwork to date, ‘Rainbow River.’ What makes this piece so special is that Clara painted it using her right hand – the same hand that was affected by her stroke. For this show, Clara chose artworks that express her emotions about living in California, losing her grandfather, facing her teenage years, finding happiness in pursuing her dreams despite difficult circumstances surrounding her disability, and being her authentic self. Our family believes that art has the power to heal — and that is the greatest gift of all.
 
On Tuesday, August 9 at 7:30 p.m., the Center will present "Painted Words," a storytelling show about Clara's art and life. Actor and art therapist Lavinia Constantino met Clara in 2018 and worked with her to create this traveling show that offers audiences an opportunity to learn about inclusion, diversity, and equality. With their presentation, the pair of artists aim to raise disability awareness and promote the right to be different, self-loving, and happy. 

"I'm thrilled for Clara to exhibit in the Cultural Arts Center and Laguna Beach. It's a huge career milestone for her and her art. And it's Clara's first California exhibition since we moved here from Italy. Clara and I are both so pleased that Lavinia Costantino is bringing the Painted Words storytelling show to the event. It's so important because it brings a lot of hope to people. It can also change perspectives on disability and diversity. It introduces a new perspective on inclusion and how to be more inclusive."