Media Contact: Cynthia Fung
Direct Tel: 949-497-0517
Email: cfung@sawdustartfestival.org
June 1, 2010
For Immediate Release
44th Annual Sawdust Art Festival Begins
(The 2010 Sawdust Art Festival runs June 25 through August 29)
Laguna Beach, CA – The Sawdust Art Festival celebrates its 44th annual season this summer, opening its gates to the public Friday, June 25 with a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 am. The Sawdust President Jim Stanaland will make the kick-off announcement and Laguna Beach Mayor Elizabeth Pearson will officially cut the ribbon, marking the 2010 season commencement. The show will run everyday from 10 am to 10 pm through August 29.
Over 200 Laguna Beach artists, 22 first-timers in the Sawdust, excitedly await a fresh summer season in hopes of drawing in an even greater attendance than last year and seeing an increase in their art sales. Two major marketing improvements this year support this positive initiative.
New this year are the “Original Collectors’ Panels” project in support of the Sawdust Art Education Fundraiser. These impressive 60+ art panels created by Sawdust artists are destined to draw a crowd and will be on display around the festival grounds and pre-auctioned during the run of show. Compared to last year’s 14 fundraiser participants, the enthusiasm of more than triple the number of artists behind this year’s fundraiser exemplifies the coming together of the Sawdust family for a unified cause. A final live auction will take place Sunday, August 22 from 3-5 pm on the Main Entertainment Deck, and proceeds will benefit the Sawdust Art Education Fund.
Also new this year is the Sawdust’s title sponsorship with American Honda. For the first time, the Sawdust membership, Board of Directors and staff have agreed to pursue a fruitful relationship with a corporate sponsor, designed to drive additional revenue to the show while maintaining the organization’s mission integrity. Two Honda hybrid vehicles will be on display on the grounds, one of which is a 2011 CR-Z to be raffled off, providing
revenue which will go back into the operating costs of the festival. Tickets will be sold throughout the show at $5 per raffle ticket or 5 for $20. Sawdust acrylic painter and muralist Doug Miller will paint a scenic backdrop to this display.
The other Honda hybrid on display will be the 2010 Insight, which will be “wrapped” in a white vinyl cover and painted by contest winner and long-time Sawdust artist Ryan Gourley. To seamlessly integrate the Honda displays into the art theme of the show, both the Sawdust’s educational and environmentally conscious qualities are apparent not only in the types of vehicles chosen for display, but also in the participation of the Sawdust artists on these displays.
In addition to the two new marketing initiatives other exciting special events are planned throughout the season including:
• Saturday, July 10 – 80’s Day
• Saturday, July 24 – Hawaiian Surf Day
• Saturday, August 7 – Green Day
• Sunday, August 8 – Artists’ Benevolence Fund Auction
• Saturday, August 21 – Beatles Day
• Sunday, August 22 – Sawdust Art Education Fundraiser Auction: “Original Collectors’ Panels”
• Every Tuesday – Tropical Tuesdays
• Every Wednesday – Wine-tasting Wednesdays
• Every Thursday – Laguna Beach Residents Night
• Every Sunday – Latin Jazz and Blues Sundays
Visitors can also expect to see exciting live entertainment, improved outdoor café restaurants, many art demonstrations and classes, and overall great atmosphere this year at the Sawdust. Don’t miss the diversity in character, creativity and action at the Sawdust!
To check out more details about the Sawdust Art Festival’s 44th annual summer season and calendar of events, please visit www.sawdustartfestival.org or call 949-494-3030. The Sawdust Art Festival is located at 935 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach with free City trolley service to and from the Act V parking lot. Admission prices are: Adults $7.75, Seniors (65+) $6.25, Children (6-12) $3.25, Children (5 & under) Free; Summer Season Pass $15; Annual Pass $20.
The Sawdust Art Festival is a non-profit art organization dedicated to educating the public and promoting the art created in Laguna Beach.
The Sawdust Art Festival thanks its 2010 sponsors Honda, 104.3 MYfm, Hoegaarden and Kendal-Jackson.
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