Sawdust Art Enrichment Fund
SAEF is a philanthropic effort that supports education of the public about the arts while providing hands-on art experiences to underserved populations.
The Sawdust Art Enrichment Fund (SAEF) was created nearly 10 years ago and is a philanthropic effort which supports educating the public about the arts through programs that provide experiences in creating art. SAEF provides hands-on art workshops to underserved populations including at-risk youth and armed forces and their families. Recently SAEF has also worked alongside the non-profit organization American Family Housing (AFH) to provide art classes to formerly homeless at-risk youth. These classes are taught by professional local artists on the Sawdust Art Festival grounds. Our classes provide an opportunity to receive art as therapy or as a pathway to creating a business for entrepreneurship.
The continuation of our program depends on acquiring grants and donations made by individuals like you. If you would like to make a donation to our program please click on the Donate Now button and select Art Enrichment Fund located at the bottom of the page. We truly appreciate donations in any amount. Thank you in advance for your interest in helping with the education of the arts to those who would otherwise not have access to it.
Press Releases
October 26, 2020
The Sawdust Art Enrichment Fund (SAEF) is pleased to announce that it has delivered “Art To Go” kits to at-risk youth in the Project Access program at the Santa Ana Warwick Center. Artist Roseanne Nitti created “Love” Paint Kits for ages 6 to 12, and her “Macrame Owl” kit was a real treat for ages 13 to 17.
A generous donation from John and Lynne Bernard, Laguna Beach, provided kits for 95 youths. The Bernard’s continuing support of the SAEF and Project Access has provided art experiences for the young artists at Warwick Center for the last dozen years.
In the years prior to COVID, SAEF hosted these youths to the Sawdust Art Festival for art instruction in various mediums, lunch, and a tour of the show. With the cancellation of this year’s show, SAEF is excited to have provided a COVID-safe alternative.
About the Sawdust Art Enrichment Fund: SAEF is a philanthropic effort that supports education of the public about the arts while providing hands-on art experiences to underserved populations. In recent years, SAEF has partnered with various organizations, including American Family Housing, Illumination Foundation and Festival of Arts Foundation to provide art classes for at-risk students, seniors, military families, and art therapy for formerly homeless.