When guests step into Ed Chang’s booth at the Sawdust Art Festival, they often notice the dramatic landscapes first. What stays with them is the conversation. Ed lights up when he talks about the experience behind a photo or what the moment felt like when he captured it. That connection, he says, is the real magic of Sawdust.
“People want to meet the artist,” Ed explains. “They want a personal connection and a story. When they look at their artwork later, they remember that interaction too. It makes the piece more meaningful.”
Ed is now wrapping up his fourth year as an exhibiting artist, and he has already established a loyal following. “When people remember you, they come back,” he says. “And seeing returning customers feels like an ongoing relationship. It’s a great feeling.”
The Passing Zone Connection
Although Ed did not grow up attending Sawdust, the festival was still in his orbit. As a child in the 1980s, he lived in Tustin, just a few houses away from Jon and Owen, a talented juggling duo that were often seen practicing on the sidewalk in front of their house. Ed had no idea that these two neighbors performed regularly at Sawdust.
“They would often stop me while I was riding my bike and have me stand between them while they practiced juggling bowling pins, balls, even blades, cracking jokes the whole time. They clearly enjoyed entertaining me with their incredible talent and focus, and I was impressed as much as I was terrified. They were true showmen.”
Last year, Ed spotted their photo in the Sawdust directory and recognized them instantly. After confirming the connection with fellow artist Sheila Lind, he discovered that they later named their act “The Passing Zone” and have been very successful. They’ve been on America’s Got Talent, appeared in films and TV shows, set multiple Guiness records, and toured around the world. Ed reached out to Owen to invite him to the show. “It would be incredible to see them again and reconnect in person,” he says, smiling.
“People want to meet the artist. They want a personal connection and a story. When they look at their artwork later, they remember that interaction too. It makes the piece more meaningful.”
Photography Rooted in Gratitude
For Ed, photography is as much a spiritual experience as it is an artistic one. He speaks about nature with reverence and joy. “My experiences out on photography trips bring up so many emotions. There is excitement, awe, peace, curiosity, anxiety and sometimes frustration. All of it reminds me how grateful I am to be alive. I get to witness the miracles of existence and the countless forms they take,” he says. “What a wonderful world.” Each image is a reminder of those moments.
Recognizing His Creative Path
The first time Ed felt encouraged as an artist, he was in second grade. He remembers drawing a lynx based on a reference photo. “My teacher praised me for it and it felt amazing,” he recalls. “It showed me that maybe I could get better if I continued trying.” Still, Ed does not attach himself to labels. “I do not know if it matters whether someone calls me an artist. I just want to find what inspires and fulfills me and keep improving at it. And if what I do creates something positive for someone else, that is affirmation that I’m on the right path.” He believes everyone has the ability to make art. It is simply a matter of nurturing it.
Choosing Community Every Day
Sawdust has helped Ed find a deeper sense of community. “Community is about sharing space, helping each other, inspiring and learning from each other. It’s a commitment that feels like a test of faith,” he says. With more than 180 artists, vendors, and staff working side by side all summer, the nature of community becomes clear very quickly. “You see who values cooperation and empathy. You see who is willing to contribute. And when people choose community, everything works better. It feels better. That is the kind of world I want to live in.”
Ed is grateful for the friendships he has built at Sawdust. He hopes visitors notice that sense of unity too, because he believes it keeps the Laguna art scene strong and a large part of what keeps people coming back.
What He Hopes You Take Home. More than a photograph.
Ed hopes his collectors leave feeling confident that they made a great choice. He also hopes they take home the memory of the conversation they had with him, the discovery of new art, and the joy of the Sawdust experience. “If they walk away thinking they cannot wait to come back again, then I feel like I have succeeded.”
Advice He Would Share With His Younger Self
Ed encourages artists to stay curious. “Find people who inspire you. Ask questions. Explore different kinds of art. Practice, and then explore again. See what pulls you forward and what you learn along the way.” He believes his younger self would have listened. “Children can tell when someone genuinely cares about them and wants them to succeed. I have always sought those people and try to be one of them.”
Ed’s photography captures the awe he feels in nature, but his presence at Sawdust reveals something deeper. His art is a bridge to human connection, to gratitude, and to a community that continues to inspire him every season.
