SAWDUST GIVES BACK TO MILITARY THIS WINTER SEASON

Posted on December 1, 2010 by Sawdust Art Festival

Laguna Beach, CA – In honor of the US Military, the Sawdust Art Festival is proud to host an arts education day for military spouses of deployed troops on Sunday, December 5 at 10:30 am, in the new jewelry studio on the festival grounds during the Winter Fantasy show. With such holiday cheer and goodwill at the winter art festival, Sawdust members thought it would be fitting to offer this unique event.  

Ten military spouses are scheduled to come in from Camp Pendleton to take a vocational jewelry class from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm on Sunday, December 5. Sawdust Board Member, Marla Burns, will lead the art instruction and teach immediate and useful skills in jewelry-making, which require little expense in needed tools. A vocational and cost-effective approach to jewelry-making will enable the military spouses to continue the skill on their own as a means of additional income, and also as a positive outlet while they wait for their spouses to return from their military services abroad. “The reception we have gotten from Camp Pendleton has been great. We are all excited about being able to give back. I visited the VA hospital and I learned that some of the spouses are looking for ways of additional income. This jewelry-making class will also give them something to take their minds off waiting for their deployed spouses to return,” said Burns.

With the assistance of Sawdust artists and jewelers, Georgette Cerutti, Mike Heintz, David Nelson, and Sawdust Board Member, Sally Wilde, Burns will cover the jewelry-making skills of stamping, dapping, planishing and metal-smithing in both silver and copper. Students will create an original set of earrings and a pendant to take home.  

The day’s special event is not limited to only wives of deployed troops. Children of deployed troops are also invited to the Sawdust grounds on Sunday, December 5 and are scheduled to take an “Animal Ornament Class” at the Children’s Art Spot, while their mothers are immersed in the jewelry class. Complimentary to the Sawdust’s military guests that day will be parking, festival entrance fee, supplies, equipment, instruction, lunch at Deb’s Deli and snacks and candies and Fran’s Popcorn booth.            

In support of the US Military, the Sawdust is also happy to announce a new gift certificate option for its year-round art workshops, the Sawdust Studio Art Classes. On sale NOW, the public can purchase a gift certificate for a Sawdust Studio Art Class for $95, with 10% of the proceeds going to Camp Pendleton’s art education program. Visit www.sawdustartfestival.org/gift-shop to purchase a gift certificate.

Lastly, continuing every Sunday of the winter festival will be Toys for Tots, a foundation supported by the Marine Corps Reserve with a mission of collecting toys to distribute as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community. Visitors to the 2010 Winter Fantasy can show their support by contributing new, unwrapped toys for children, newborn to 17 years old, and receive FREE one-day admission into the festival.

The 20th Annual Winter Fantasy at the Sawdust Art Festival runs two more weekends, December 4, 5, 10, 11 & 12. Hours are 10 am to 6 pm. Adult admission is $6; Seniors $5, age 65 and up; $3 for children ages 6-12; children under five years of age are free; and $9 for any Season’s Pass. The festival is located at the Sawdust Art Festival, 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 non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public
and promoting the art created in Laguna Beach.

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