While exhibitors prepare their booths and classes fill with eager students, another mission at Sawdust unfolds: expanding access to the arts through the Sawdust Art Enrichment Fund (SAEF). Longtime exhibitor John Eagle founded SAEF which provides hands-on, artist-led workshops to underserved children and adults throughout Orange County. He leaves behind an amazing legacy that offers not just creativity, but confidence, connection, and belonging.
John launched SAEF more than a decade ago with a simple goal: to make professional art experiences available to those who need them most. What began as a modest outreach effort has since grown into an essential program, both on festival grounds and through partnerships with local nonprofits like Project Access.
These aren’t one-off craft sessions. SAEF’s classes are immersive and skill-focused, giving participants access to quality tools and materials in an environment that nurtures both creativity and respect for the craft.
Mariana Ortiz experienced this impact firsthand. As a child, she visited Sawdust through Project Access. “Entering into Sawdust Art Festival always made me feel like I was in a different world,” she recalls. “To this day, when I get asked what my favorite childhood memories are… I always say it was going to Sawdust and having the opportunity to learn more about the different artists.”
Today, Mariana works at a Project Access site, providing similar creative and educational experiences to the next generation of youth. “This program has impacted me in so many ways,” she says. “It has taught me that anything and everything you set your mind to is possible… and anything can become art.”
Her evolution from participant to mentor exemplifies SAEF’s lasting impact. These classes bring the power of art front and center, offering a safe space for expression, growth, and self-discovery.
Looking ahead, SAEF is focused on expanding its reach, with plans to serve foster youth, veterans, and military families. These are communities that often lack consistent access to arts education. For each group, art becomes more than a creative outlet. It becomes a tool for healing, expression, and connection.
Sustaining that growth requires ongoing support. Contributions to SAEF fund teacher stipends, materials, and transportation. These resources help remove the barriers that too often determine who gets to participate in the arts.
Art doesn’t ask where you come from or what you can afford. Neither should access to it. Supporting SAEF helps ensure it never does.
To contribute, click here to donate and help make art more accessible to those who need it most.
