Sawdust Art Festival

Sawdust Art Festival — Keeping Art Real
By Shelley T. Hudson

With the reemergence of Little League, pool parties and the jingle of the ice cream truck comes another local summer tradition. The Sawdust Festival’s 46th Annual Summer Show is already in full swing and better than ever. You’ll find all the familiar family-friendly fare as in years past, but several new elements have been added to this year’s packed line up of activities.

As one of the centerpieces of Laguna Beach’s busy summer arts scene, the Summer Show welcomes over 200,000 visitors annually to the grounds. Art enthusiasts from all over flock to this mini artist colony to appreciate art in a most unusual way. The 200-plus artists—all Laguna Beach residents—create, display and demonstrate their talents as passers by stop and look on. Guests are encouraged to interact with artists, providing an especially intimate experience for both. This collaboration gives the artists an opportunity to use the real-time feedback of the daily roaming audience as inspiration. Since the art pieces are available for sale, spectators can become art patrons on the spot—without the stuffy and sometimes intimidating setting of a gallery. The Summer Show isn’t juried, so accomplished, seasoned artists display their talents alongside rising stars.

With an impressive variety of art forms including sculpture, painting, leather work, photography, glass-blowing, ceramics and jewelry making, the show offers something for everyone. This event is more than a feast for the eyes, however. Themed days, live entertainment on three stages, an array of food and beverage options and a full calendar of activities designed for both kids and adults all enhance the experience as well. The charming artist-built booths and sawdust-lined paths create an idyllic setting in which to enjoy a perfect summer afternoon and evening.

The Sawdust Festival’s mission is to educate the public about local artists and the art they create. In support of this goal, promotions focus on fundraising, year-round classes and workshops and collaboration with other art events. This year’s fundraising efforts include the raffle of a 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas, the 2012 Original Collectors Panels auction, the Artists Benevolence Fund auction and Art Supplies Donation Day. Revenue generated from these charity drives will benefit art education, needy artists and their families and CHOC.

Studio Art Classes are held year-round at the Sawdust Festival grounds, and the Summer Show is no exception. Classes are offered on Fridays and Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Just check out the schedule at www.sawduststudioartclasses.com to reserve a spot, and you can walk away with your own hand-made work of art. Once you’ve ignited your inner artist, you can come back in April for Sawdust’s more intensive two-day workshops, Spring Into Art.

A wide range of hands-on classes and demonstrations aimed at kids will also engage the imaginations of the little ones. The Children’s Art Spot and Sawdust Studio One will host classes on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the Summer Show. Maybe your little Picasso or Renoir will finally get their chance to shine!