Rosanne Nitti’s journey with the Sawdust Art Festival began long before she ever became an exhibitor. As a young adult in the 1980s, she first wandered the eucalyptus-lined paths as a visitor, captivated by the creative energy that made Laguna Beach feel alive. Though life eventually took her far from California, the spirit of Sawdust stayed with her.
Years later, Rosanne returned with intention, moving back to Laguna Beach with a singular goal: to come full circle and become a Sawdust Art Festival artist.
Before her return west, Rosanne was deeply immersed in photography in Virginia Beach, spending countless hours in the darkroom at the Virginia Beach Art Center. While she refined her technical skills, confidence was still something she was learning to claim. When she relocated to Laguna Beach, she patiently fulfilled the residency requirement, settling into a small beach cottage, working locally, and waiting with purpose.
When she began her first season at the festival, her expectations were modest. She imagined observing quietly, learning from others, and finding her place over time. Instead, she found a community that would shape not only her career, but her life.
“Being surrounded by a supportive creative village taught me how to speak about my work with clarity and pride,” Rosanne says. “The Sawdust didn’t just give me a place to show my art. It helped me find my voice.”
“Being surrounded by a supportive creative village taught me how to speak about my work with clarity and pride,” Rosanne says. “The Sawdust didn’t just give me a place to show my art. It helped me find my voice.”
Over the years, Sawdust expanded Rosanne’s artistic world. What began as a photography practice evolved naturally into mixed media, tile mosaics, macramé, and other forms of creative exploration. Teaching and collaboration became central to her journey, fueled by conversations and shared inspiration with fellow artists.
What makes Sawdust truly different, she believes, is its immersive nature. As a 66-day summer festival, it demands full commitment. Artists build their booths from the ground up, invest thousands of dollars before opening day, and remain present throughout the entire season.
“That extended presence creates something rare,” Rosanne explains. “It allows real relationships to form between artists, visitors, and staff.”
Those relationships have become one of the most meaningful parts of her experience. Families who once visited her booth pushing strollers now return with teenagers or stop by before sending children off to college. Her work hangs in homes that have grown and changed alongside the people who live there.
“Sawdust is about human connection,” she says. “It’s about being part of people’s lives over time.”
After seventeen seasons, certain moments still stand out: the electricity of Preview Nights, walking family members through the grounds to meet fellow artists who have become like family, and serving on the Board of Directors during the festival’s 50th Anniversary.
Behind the magic visitors experience is a reality few see. Artists are builders and business owners long before the gates open. Booths rise from bare ground, long days of physical work are the norm, and financial risk is part of the commitment.
“We do it because we love this village,” Rosanne says. “When someone buys art here, they’re supporting the all-in spirit that keeps this tradition alive.”
When asked why she continues to return year after year, Rosanne smiles.
“Because it’s a rare thing to find a place that holds your history and inspires your future all at the same time. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
After seventeen years, the Sawdust Art Festival remains a creative spark in her life, a whirlwind of art, friendship, and community that continues to shape who she is and what she creates.
