2020 - Mika Denny
Mika Denny’s roots take her back to the Orange County coastline. With childhood visits to the Ocean Institute and residing in Dana Point during her art school days, it’s only fitting that the experiences that shaped her artistry have led her logo design to be selected for the 49th annual Festival of Whales in 2020.
Denny, who currently resides in Santa Ana, submitted an entry in a previous year’s design contest for the festival. The Festival of Whales Foundation Board was very impressed with the submission, says festival coordinator Andrea Swayne.
“This design really stuck out to the board,” Swayne said. “Mika’s artwork is the perfect celebratory feel to represent all the fun new additions we have planned for the Festival of Whales in 2020.”
Denny solely used Adobe Illustrator to create her design. She says it all came down to color and shape. “I picked out the complementary colors that I know would make the eye happy,” Denny said. “I love playing around with interesting shapes. I love distinguishing shapes within other shapes. And I think that’s pretty evident in this design.”
Read the full story here: The Shape of Things to Come
By Lillian Boyd, Dana Point Times
2019 - Robyn Rogers
“Robyn Rogers’ fascination with whales began when she was about five years old. Her older brother had been preparing for a school project on whales when he had Rogers hold one end of string as he unraveled it about 100 feet – roughly the size of a blue whale. Now at 27 years old, Rogers has been announced as the artist chosen to create the official logo for next year’s Festival of Whales.”
Read the full story here: Logo for Next Year’s Festival of Whales Announced
By Lillian Boyd, Dana Point Times
2018 - Frankie Michinock
1st place winner: Festival of Whales logo design contest
“It shouldn’t have been a surprise when Frankie Michinock, 23, of Laguna Niguel, admitted that she didn’t have a printed copy of her award-winning 2018 Festival of Whales graphic.
After being identified as one of the top five logos by the Festival of Whales Board of Directors from over 70 entries, Michinock—who is rather humble—was blown away after being named a finalist…”
Read the full story here: Third Time’s the Charm: Former Dana Hills High graduate wins Festival of Whales logo design contest
By Daniel Ritz, Dana Point Times
2017 - Alex Van Brasch
1st place winner: Festival of Whales logo design contest
“Using his love of whales as inspiration for a design, Alex Van Brasch, a Simi Valley native, who recently relocated to Portland, Oregon, took home the top prize in the 2017 Festival of Whales logo design contest.
For Van Brasch’s logo, he said he used colored pencils and pen, and then the computer to add the text and align everything.”
Read more: Festival of Whales Logo Contest Winner Uses Passion for Whales as Inspiration
By Kristina Pritchett, Dana Point Times
2016 - Camden Butterworth
1st place winner in Dana Hills High School logo design competition
“This year’s winner is sophomore Camden Butterworth from Dana Hills High School, whose logo design will become the official brand of the event, emblazoned on everything from printed advertising, event programs and online media to souvenir logo wear…”
Read more: Full STEAM Ahead for Festival of Whales
Andrea Swayne, Editor, Dana Point Times
2015 - Alec Brady
1st place winner in Dana Hills High School logo design competition
“The Dana Point Festival of Whales committee has chosen Dana Hills High School student Alec Brady as this year’s logo design winner from entries received via an annual program charging the art departments at the school with a student art contest.”
Read more: Festival of Whales Logo Design Winner Named
Andrea Swayne, Editor, Dana Point Times
2014 - Sarah Holen
1st place winner in Dana Hills High School logo design competition
“I was ecstatic to find out that once again Dana Hill’s art department would be participating in the contest for the Festival of the Whales logo. My love for design and competition was really set free in this project.”
Read more about Sarah: Dana Point Times – Students Create Art with a Festival Focus (page 4)
2013 - Steven Kazarian
1st place winner in Dana Hills High School logo design competition
Read more: Dana Point Times – Artistic Festival of Whales Tradition Continues
Andrea Swayne, Editor, Dana Point Times
2012 - Carver Moore
1st place winner in Dana Hills High School logo design competition
2011 - 40th Anniversary
The original version of this logo was designed in 1992 by Nestor/Johnson Design, San Juan Capistrano. This retro version of the logo ignited many a trip down memory lane for visitors that have been collecting Festival logos over the past few decades.
2010 - John VanHamersveld
American graphic artist and illustrator who designed record jackets for pop and psychedelic bands, since the 1960s. Albums include Magical Mystery Tour by The Beatles, Crown of Creation by Jefferson Airplane and Exile on Main Street by The Rolling Stones. Many know VanHamersveld best for his famous “Endless Summer” illustration.
2009 - Rick Erkeneff
Rick Erkeneff is a multi-talented artist, active surfer, skateboarder, and snowboarder. He and his partner Denise operate R&D Design in Dana Point, CA and have two active daughters who are in following their father’s artistic and sports enthusiast path.
2008 - Bill Atkins
Laguna Beach artist specializing in poster design, illustration, and most recently one of two designers that created the California Coastal Commission’s new “Whale Tail” license plate.
http://www.lagunaposter.com
http://www.ecoplates.com/home.php
2007 - Howard O'Donnell
Mother Gray Whale and Her Baby
“While planning this watercolor scene of a mother gray whale with her baby in tow, I was inspired, by both personal sightings and videos observed of the great whale migration, to paint the giant mammals as they make their journey up and down the coast of the western seaboard.
I tried to capture the elegant graceful movements of a 50-ton mother gray whale and her baby as they glide effortlessly through the warm and shadowy depths of the ocean.”
2006 - Phil Roberts
Phil Roberts is an Artist, Architect, Master Painter, Surf Artist, Movie Poster Illustrator. Click on the link below to learn more.
2005 - George McGhee
Dana Point Rendezvous
“The Dana Point Rendezvous painting was inspired by several factors that involve the annual migration of the Gray Whales along the pacific shelf near the coastline of southern California…
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“The Dana Point Rendezvous painting was inspired by several factors that involve the annual migration of the Gray Whales along the pacific shelf near the coastline of southern California.
After reading about the history of Dana Point and the seaman/author Richard Henry Dana after which this beautiful city was named, I set out on a venture to find out what exactly inspired Richard Henry Dana to call these 200 foot cliffed coves known as the Headlands, “the only romantic spot in California.”
So I went out one morning for a cruise just before sun rise just to see for myself what all the excitement was about, and what an eye opening revelation.
The sunrise was spectacular with the sky’s many shades of blues and lavender, with hues of orange, red and gold dusting the clouds and ocean.
At that point it was clear to me that the Dana Headlands will be a great source of inspiration. (Especially after also spotting a pair of whales on that trip).
I’m positive that Seaman Dana encountered various forms of wildlife during his travels along the California coastlands some of which must have been the majestic Gray Whales as he approached the headlands, therefore making his voyage complete with a rendezvous with the whales and his beloved coastland.
The painting “Dana Point Rendezvous” is about what I envision, and imagine that Seaman Dana experienced during his many trips to this enchanted coastal area now called Dana Point.”
Both George McGhee and Howard O’Donnell are members of the Dana Point Fine Arts Association (DPFAA) which began as the Niguel Art Association and had its roots in a group formed by six area artists in 1968. These local artists were interested in offering South County residents greater exposure to the fine arts, and to create a venue promoting the many talented artists within the community. In May 1989, the Niguel Art Association became an official non-profit 501(3)(c) corporation. The association was renamed in February 2007 to Dana Point Fine Arts Association. The current priorities of the DPFAA remains in line with the goals of the founding artists, most significantly of which is the most active show schedule of any art association in Southern California; promoting the marketing knowledge and capabilities of our member artists; and support of the development of the local high school art program.
2004 - George Sumner
For the Love of Whales
http://www.sumner-studios.com/
As a pioneer in the “save the whales” movement in the late 60s, George Sumner has influenced an entire generation of marine artists. This environmental impressionist painter chose the theme of the incredible bonding between mother and calf immediately after birth. For the first two years after birth, mother and baby are inseparable, constantly touching and nurturing each other.
“For the Love of Whales”, a 4′ x 5′ original oil painting seeks to share a touching moment of a young gray whale calf snuggling lovingly against her mother’s warm embrace. The abundant giant kelp beds that help conceal the baby from predators symbolically form a heart shape to reflect the logo’s theme.
1992 - Nestor/Johnson Design, San Juan Capistrano
