July 22, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAWDUST ART FESTIVAL PARTNERS WITH PROJECT ACCESS
TO INSPIRE LOW-INCOME STUDENTS WITH FIRST-HAND ART EXPERIENCE
(Sawdust will host group of Project Access students on Tuesdays, July 23 & 30, August 6 & 13)
Laguna Beach, CA – The Sawdust Art Festival is hosting a group of students from the Project Access Family Resource Center at Warwick Square Apartments, a low-income housing unit in Santa Ana, to participate in a unique two-part class on the festival ground, that will further their first-hand experience of interacting with Laguna Beach artists.
The Project Access group, consisting of 24 students between the ages of 8-17, is scheduled to visit the Sawdust Festival again on Tuesday, July 30, August 6 & 13 to take a class from long-time Sawdust artist and ceramicist Ora Sterling, where they will learn the craft of hand-building clay pottery.
For many of the students at Project Access this will be the second time they are exposed to high quality art and professional artists, last year’s Sawdust visit being the first. The idea behind this collaborative experience is to offer low-income children the opportunity to spark an interest not only in expressing themselves through art, but also to be inspired to create art as a living. The students were hand-selected based on having a propensity for art.
“This is a prime example of the type of groups the Sawdust Art Enrichment Fund seeks to serve with art outreach mentorship. At this year’s summer art camp, Ora Sterling instructs in ceramics, making wonderful masks. She is an amazing Sawdust instructor and is adoringly referred to as “Orita” by the kids!” said Maggie Spencer, Sawdust artist and committee member of Sawdust Art Enrichment Fund. The students will tour the grounds, interacting with Sawdust artists, participating in other festival art classes offered at the Children’t Art Spot and Studio One.
Project Access is the leading provider of vital health, education and employment services for families, children and seniors living in low-income housing communities. Their goal is to keep families employed, children in school and seniors active.
Project Access was founded in 1999 by Jonathan B. Webb and has continuously delivered programs and services to residents by way of family and senior resource centers established in the low-income housing communities where they live, as well as through providing outreach and referral services. Project Access believes in eliminating barriers and setting individuals up for success. Today, Project Access serves residents in more than 45 low-income housing communities in California, which benefited nearly 10,000 youth, adults, and seniors in 2012.
Project Access, Inc. (IRS EIN# 33-0834635) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with corporate offices located in Newport Beach and Oakland, California. For more information about Project Access, contact Rachel Sanchez at 949-253-6200, ext. 305 or visit www.project-access.org.
To check out more details about the Sawdust Art Festival’s 47th annual summer season and calendar of events, please visit www.sawdustartfestival.org or call 949-494-3030. The Sawdust Art Festival is open 10-10 daily now through September 1, and 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: Adults $7.75, Seniors (65+) $6.25, Children (6-12) $3.25, Children (5 & under) Free; Summer Season Pass $15; Annual Pass $20.
The Sawdust Art Festival is a non-profit art organization dedicated to educating the public and promoting the art created in Laguna Beach.
The Sawdust Art Festival thanks its 2013 sponsors Subaru, 104.3 MYfm, Kona and Kendall-Jackson.
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