NEW SAWDUST PHOTOGRAPHER USES SAWDUST ARTISTS AS INSPIRATION FOR JCC MACCABI ARTSFEST STUDENTS

  August 13, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW SAWDUST PHOTOGRAPHER USES SAWDUST ARTISTS

AS INSPIRATION FOR JCC MACCABI ARTSFEST STUDENTS

(Sawdust Art Festival runs everyday through August 30, 10 am – 10 pm daily)  

Laguna Beach, CA – New Sawdust photographer, Stacey Taxin, was approached by the Director of Orange County’s division of the JCC Maccabi earlier this year and asked to lead a four-day intensive workshop in JCC Maccabi ArtsFest, an internationally recognized program designed to provide Jewish teens “the chance to delve into their interests and develop their talents.”  

Excited about her first year as an official Sawdust artist, Taxin decided to include the Sawdust Art Festival in the ArtsFest program and brought her group of 18 teen students to the festival grounds on Tuesday, August 11. “I wanted to expose my students to the many photographers and artists at the Sawdust to show the diversity in processes and styles of photography, and to inspire their own photography methods. There is such a wide variety of photographers and artists here at the Sawdust, and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity for the ArtsFest teens to learn from the various talented photographers.” During their daylong visit, many Sawdust photographers took the time to educate Taxin’s students on their own artistic processes and styles of photography from their booths.  

Through JCC Maccabi ArtsFest, “art-loving Jewish teens can play, draw, sing, dance, film, write, perform, and enhance their sense of Jewish identity, all with other Jewish teens who share their passions.” Taxin’s group of teens traveled from across the country to visit Southern California and Sawdust artists, one of whom traveled overseas from Israel. Over 200 teens entering grades 8-12 apply for the program each year and few are selected to participate in the workshops taught by exceptional artists-in-residence in chosen art specialties.              
Visit Taxin and other Sawdust photographers and artisans at the Sawdust Art Festival before August 30. For more info, please navigate to 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: Adult $7.50; Seniors (65+) $6; Children (6-12) $3; Children (5 and under) Free; Summer Season Pass $15; Annual Pass (summer and winter shows) $20.