Media Contact: Richard Chang
Phone: 949.497.0517
Email: rchang@sawdustartfestival.org
SAWDUST ART FESTIVAL WRAPS UP SUCCESSFUL 24th ANNUAL WINTER FANTASY
Attendance up by 2,332 people, or 10 percent over last year.
Laguna Beach, CA – The Sawdust Art Festival’s 24th annual Winter Fantasy, “A Holiday Tradition,” concluded on Dec. 21 with increased ticket sales and attendance over last year. More than 25,250 people attended Winter Fantasy 2014, a 10 percent increase over the 2013 winter art festival.
The festival benefited from an extra weekend, Dec. 20-21, expanding its normal duration from four to five weekends. Closing day saw the highest attendance, with more than 3,075 people attending on Sunday, Dec. 21.
“The 2014 Winter Fantasy was a great success,” said Tom Klingenmeier, general manager of the Sawdust Art Festival. “All our artists, new and continuing, said they sold lots of art and were sorry to see it end.”
More than 175 talented artists created, showcased and sold their original artwork on the Sawdust grounds, which were transformed into a winter wonderland with thousands of holiday lights and decorations and a freshly built “Towne Square” in the center of the festival. The square featured Santa Claus, his house, sleigh and elves, a Children’s Playhouse, Christmas trees decorated by various community groups, and even falling snow. Elsewhere on the grounds were a petting zoo, four outdoor cafés, an espresso bar, a popcorn and candy booth, art classes and more.
The Winter Fantasy artists – many from Laguna Beach but also from other cities and states –handcrafted each piece of artwork, creating a truly unique holiday shopping experience for visitors. Art media included glass, ceramics, jewelry, clothing, textiles, painting, photography, mixed media and more.
Supporting the Sawdust Art Festival’s nonprofit mission of educating the public, artists created work live in front of our guests in the artists’ booths and at our popular Glassblowing Demonstration Booth. Visitors also had the opportunity to explore their own creativity and take an art class at the Ceramic Center, Studio One, Children’s Art Spot and the classrooms of the year-round Sawdust Studio Art Classes.
Special activities for families and kids included pottery wheel throwing in holiday-themed shapes at the Ceramic Center, and many art and craft projects at both the Children’s Art Spot and Studio One.
One special community event that proved popular was the Toys for Tots program, supported by the local Marine Corps Reserve. Their mission was to collect toys on Sundays to distribute as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community. Hundreds of visitors to this year’s Winter Fantasy brought unwrapped toys, filling up more than 10 large cardboard boxes. Those who donated a new toy of $5 or more received free one-day admission to Winter Fantasy.
Next on the schedule for the Sawdust is the 49th annual summer show, which takes place Friday, June 26 through Sunday, Aug. 30. Admission is $8.50 for adults, $7 for seniors, $4 for children 6-12 and free for children 5 and younger. “We are all looking forward to a great summer show in 2015,” Klingenmeier said.
The Sawdust Art Festival is located at 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651. For additional information, please visit www.sawdustartfestival.org or call 949-494-3030.
The Sawdust Art Festival is a nonprofit art organization dedicated to educating the public and promoting the art created in Laguna Beach.