Media Contact: Cynthia Fung
Direct Tel: 949-497-0517
Email: cfung@sawdustartfestival.org
May 29, 2014
For Immediate Release
48th Annual Sawdust Art Festival Opens June 27
The 2014 Sawdust Art Festival runs June 27 through August 31, 2014
Laguna Beach, CA – The Sawdust Art Festival celebrates its 48th annual season this summer, opening its doors to the public Friday, June 27 with a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10am. Sawdust President Rachel Goberman will make the Opening Day announcement and Laguna Beach Mayor Elizabeth Pearson will officially cut the ribbon, kicking off the 2014 summer season. The festival will open daily from 10am to 10pm through Sunday, August 31.
Over 200 Laguna Beach artists, 16 new artists, excitedly anticipate a fresh summer season with a projection of drawing an even larger audience than last year to present their unique handmade artwork and interact with new festival visitors. The diverse range of artwork featured at the Sawdust comprises all art mediums, including ceramics, glass, woodwork, jewelry, sculpture, painting, photography, textiles, clothing, furniture, mixed media and much more.
In support of the Sawdust’s mission to educate the public on the arts created in Laguna Beach, Sawdust artists are encouraged to share their creative processes with guests, demonstrating how their artwork is formed. Visitors can experience the awe in artwork being created before their eyes, including the large glassblowing enclosure where glassblowers show off their expertise at the furnace.
In addition to the 16 newbies joining the Sawdust family, also new this year is Sawdust’s auto sponsor, Kia of Irvine. In the booth display by the Greek Restaurant, a brand new 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid will be raffled off to guests. Tickets will be sold during the festival season at $5 per raffle ticket or 5 for $20. The winning raffle ticket will be drawn on Sunday, August 31 at 4pm on the Main Entertainment Deck. Moneys raised from the Kia raffle will benefit Sawdust’s art education programs, a major component of our educational mission statement.
A variety of new and exciting arts and crafts projects will be offered at the Children’s Art Booth and Studio One. The updated class schedule will be available at sawdustartfestival.org/classes and on the grounds during festival season. The year-round Sawdust Studio Art Classes will continue to be offered every Friday and Saturday at 10am and 2pm in the Sawdust studio upstairs. Guests can experience the magic of the Sawdust studio and create their own unique art piece, to wear or to share, in just one two-hour session. For an updated schedule, visit sawduststudioartclasses.com.
The Sawdust Art Festival is happy to welcome a handful of new entertainment groups. Updated entertainment schedule can be found at sawdustartfestival.org/entertainment-schedule. A few of the new acts to look out for this year include:
• Craig Cooley – Singer songwriter
• Folktones – Folk and early country band
• Tini Grey – Tropical Hawaiian musician
• Bill Dempsey – Folk singer
• Grant Langston – Country musician
• Wake the Bard – Celtic band
The annual Artists’ Benevolence Fund Silent Auction, which supports Laguna Beach artists that have experienced a catastrophic event, will take place on Sunday, August 10 from 10am – 2pm on the Main Entertainment Deck. The Artists’ Benevolence Fund benefits all Laguna Beach artist residents in need.
Scheduled special events include:
• Hawaiian Surf Day – Saturday, July 5
• Green Day – Saturday, July 19 from 11am – 5pm
• California Classics Day – Saturday, July 26
• Country Western Day – Saturday, August 2
• Artists’ Benevolence Fund Silent Auction – Sunday, August 10 from 10am – 2pm
• Beatles Day – Saturday, August 16
• Cultural Celebrations Day – Saturday, August 23
• Tropical Tuesdays – every Tuesday
• Orange County Residents Nights – every Sunday through Thursday after 5pm, free admission with ID. Check website for your specific city’s local night.
The Sawdust Art Festival is a non-profit art organization dedicated to educating the public and promoting the art created in Laguna Beach. To check out more details about the Sawdust Art Festival’s 48th 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 $8.50, Seniors (65+) $7, Children (6-12) $4, Children (5 & under) Free; Summer Season Pass $18; Annual Pass $24.
The Sawdust Art Festival thanks its 2014 sponsors Kia of Irvine, Kona Brewing and Kendall-Jackson.
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