Enter the land of make believe in Laguna Beach ...Middle East

Pacific Coast Highway may not be the Yellow Brick Road, but if you follow it south from the heart of Laguna Beach, you’ll find a fairy tale land tucked into a small corner storefront nearly hidden from the street.

The Museum of Make Believe is an enchanting place of magical realism that is the brainchild of artist Geoff Mitchell and his wife, writer Amy Mitchell. It opened about a year and a half ago, becoming reality after several years of planning.

“Geoff was doing exhibits of his paintings here and there, and did one for fun that centered on ghost stories,” Amy Mitchell said recently.

The couple thought it might be even more fun to have a place for a permanent exhibit and started thinking of immersive elements they could add to the viewer’s experience, she said.

“Seeds were planted by many people over the years,” Mitchell said of the final result.

Geoff Mitchell had been making miniatures in addition to his paintings. He was also writing music that has been incorporated into the museum experience.

The space is small, only 1,000 square feet, but packed with visual treasures that overwhelm the eyes and the senses as you adjust to the lower light level and your own air of anticipation.

The walls are covered with large paintings by Geoff Mitchell and local Laguna artist Kelsey Irvin. These are standalones like Irvin’s “The Watchdog,” a collage depicting a cowboy composed of vintage leather, denim and wood. Irvin specializes in turning vintage elements into eye-catching artworks.

Geoff’s larger paintings include “Lady Amherst” featuring a cuckoo clock. Time indeed seems to stand still as you venture through the exhibits.

“We wanted to combine stories with art, to make viewing art an entertaining experience,” Amy said of the venture.

The museum was originally intended for adults nostalgic for their childhoods and the stories they loved back then. The couple was surprised that many of their first guests were children, for whom they had to adapt some of the displays.

The major part of the museum space showcases miniature scenes and figures that are the characters from stories written by Amy. The visitor can’t help but be struck by the imagination and creativity that went into creating this unique space.

Just beyond the entrance is a large mockup of a dragon, one of the mythical creatures that evokes mystery and magic. In a nearby glass case, a large white dog dressed in a black suit holding a sled illustrates the story of a boy and his beloved dog that is written out beneath.

The majority of displays are accompanied by stories written on parchment and displayed beneath them.

A series of delightful miniature rooms illustrates the accompanying story of a sister who disappears and her twin who searches for her via a treasure map that involves Bird Island (not the one you can see from Laguna’s Main Beach because this one has a lighthouse).

The treasure map motif is carried through with an optional treasure hunt that one can undertake for a special prize.

The several admission packages end with the visitor inserting a token into a machine to receive a “magical” golden egg that holds a special stone and a fortune cookie-like message for the believer.

Other stories involve a boy searching for an elixir to cure his ailing mother, and a girl searching for her heart’s desire. The stories are heartwarming and touching, newly old fairy tales that evoke timeless themes and human yearnings.

“We  want people to slow down, take their time and enjoy the exhibits,” Amy said. “In this fast-paced world, people are hungry for a little imagination in their lives.”

The museum, located at 1590 South Coast Highway, is now a nonprofit organization, funded by the California Arts Council and the local Samueli Foundation. It is staffed by volunteers, with all profits plowed back into the museum.

There are two package options. The treasure hunt, which includes the map and prizes (a choice of pins for adults or prizes out of the treasure chest for kids) is $15 for adults and $10 for children.

There’s also the Storybook package, which includes all of the above plus a copy of the storybook detailing the museum’s unique fairy tales.

There’s even a small gift shop chock full of branded merchandise as well as unique themed keepsakes.

Groupon is offering a special adult ticket price of $10 that includes general admission, the treasure hunt and either a keepsake decal or a sweet treat.

Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Use the link  feverup.com/m/160158 for tickets. Tickets are also available at the door.

The website is museumofmakebelieve.org.

Penny Schwartz’s occasional Yellow Brick Road columns feature places of interest within a day’s drive of Laguna Woods.

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