For immediate release – November 18, 2013
Laguna Beach, CA – The 23rd Annual Winter Fantasy, “A Whole New World of Art,” begins Saturday, November 23 at the Sawdust Art Festival and will run over four weekends, including the Friday after Thanksgiving, from 10 am to 6 pm each day:
- November 23, 24
- November 29, 30, December 1
- December 7, 8
- December 14, 15
Over 170 talented artisans, will create, showcase and sell their original artwork on the Sawdust grounds, which will be transformed into a winter wonderland with thousands of holiday decorations and a freshly built “Towne Square” in the center of the festival. The featured Winter Fantasy artisans handcraft each piece of artwork, creating a truly unique holiday shopping experience for visitors. Art mediums include glass, ceramics, jewelry, clothing, textiles, painting, photography, mixed-media and more.
Opening weekend entertainment schedule as follows:
Saturday, November 23
- 10:30 am-5 pm – Visits with Santa at Santa’s House in Towne Square
- 10:30 am-12 pm – The Festival Singers, ensemble performance on the Main Deck
- 11 am-3 pm – Balloon Diva roams the grounds creating balloon artistry
- 11:30 am-4 pm – Chris & Sue, soul folk music at the Tavern stage
- 11:30 am-4 pm – Graham Robby, country at the Grill stage
- 12-4 pm – Magic Matt roams the grounds performing magic tricks
- 12-4:30 pm – Barry ‘n Pete & the Helpers, rock music on the Main Deck
- 2-4 pm – Lil’ Dickens Carolers, carolers roaming the grounds singing holiday carols
- 5-5:30 pm – T.O.W. Elementary School Chorus, ensemble performance in Towne Square
- 5:30-6 pm – 13th Annual Community Tree Lighting Ceremony in Towne Square
Sunday, November 24
- 10:30 am-5 pm – Visits with Santa at Santa’s House in Towne Square
- 11 am-3 pm – Balloon Diva roams the grounds creating balloon artistry
- 11:30 am-4 pm – Aaron Broering, original contemporary at the Tavern stage
- 11:30 am-4 pm – Zach Churchill; jazz, blues and classic rock at the Grill stage
- 12-4 pm – Magic Matt roams the grounds performing magic tricks
- 12-4:30 pm – The Girls, harmony soft rock on the Main Dick
- 2-4 pm – Lil’ Dickens Carolers roam the grounds singing holiday carols
Opening weekend art class schedule as follows:
Saturday, November 23
- 10 am-5 pm – “Throw a Pot” at the Ceramic Center with Sawdust Staff; Ages: all; Fee: FREE for greenware, $8 to glaze and fire; $16 to glaze, fire and ship to your home
- 10:30 am-12:30 pm – “Wet Chalk Poinsettias” with Greta Silva at Studio One; Ages: 7 to adult; FREE of charge
- 10:30 am-1 pm – “Snow People” with Sawdust Staff at Children’s Art Spot; Ages 4+; $1 materials fee
- 1-1:45 pm – “Eco Book of Dreams” with Terrell Anansi at Studio One; Ages: 7 to adult; FREE of charge
- 1:30-3:30 pm – “Owls in a Tree” with Sawdust Staff at Children’s Art Spot; Ages: 4+; FREE of charge
- 2-2:45 pm – “Eco Book of Dreams” with Terrell Anansi at Studio One; Ages: 7 to adult; FREE of charge
- 3:15-4:15 pm – “Holiday Bling Rings” with Greta Silva at Studio One; Ages: 4+; FREE of charge
- 4-5:30 pm – “Happy Headbands” with Carmen Gundelach at Children’s Art Spot; Ages: 6 to adult; FREE of charge
- 4:30-5:30 pm – “Acrylic Painting Experience” with Donita Lloyd at Studio One; Ages: 7 to adult; $5 materials fee
Sunday, November 24
- 10 am-5 pm – “Throw a Pot” at the Ceramic Center with Sawdust Staff; Ages: all; Fee: FREE for greenware, $8 to glaze and fire; $16 to glaze, fire and ship to your home
- 10:30-11:30 am – “Air-dry Clay Ornaments” with Mary Marquez at the Children’s Art Spot; Ages: 4+; $1 materials fee
- 10:30 am-12:30 pm – “Clothespin Elves” with Mary Keating at Studio One; Ages: 7 to adult; FREE of charge
- 12-2:30 pm – “Seasonal Stamps & Stencils” with Sawdust Staff at Children’s Art Spot; Ages: 4+; FREE of charge
- 1-2:30 pm – “Flower Bracelets” with Elizabeth Bernbeck at Studio One; Ages: 7 to adult; FREE of charge
- 3-4 pm – “Paper Poinsettias” with Lupe Blanton at Studio One; Ages: 7 to adult; FREE of charge
- 3-5:30 pm – “Snow People” with Sawdust Staff at Children’s Art Spot; Ages: 4+; $1 materials fee
- 4:30-5:30 pm – “Acrylic Painting Experience” with Donita Lloyd at Studio One; Ages: 7 to adult; $5 materials fee
The 13th Annual Community Tree Lighting Ceremony, a Laguna Beach holiday tradition, will take place opening day on Saturday, November 23 at 5:30 pm when the winners of the community tree and artist booth decorating contest will be announced. Laguna Beach City Mayor Pro Tem Elizabeth Pearson will formally light the Community Tree, officiating the 2013 holiday season. Complimentary holiday cookies and apple cider will be provided during the opening ceremony. Laguna Beach residents are admitted FREE with ID after 3 pm on opening day only.
Don’t miss out on the many photo ops in Towne Square, where you will find Children’s Playhouse, Santa’s House and Sleigh, Reindeer Barn, Community Tree and even falling snow! Throughout the remainder of the festival, guests can participate in the special community events planned for this winter show, including Toys for Tots every Sunday of the festival. Toys for Tots is 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 2013 Winter Fantasy can show their support by contributing new unwrapped toys for children, newborn to 17, every Sunday during the festival. Those that donate a toy with a value of $5 or more will receive free one-day admission to the Winter Fantasy that Sunday.
The 23rd Annual Winter Fantasy at the Sawdust Art Festival runs four weekends: November 23, 24, 29, 30, December 1, 7, 8, 14, 15. Hours are 10 am to 6 pm. Adult admission is $6; $5 for Seniors (65+); $3 for children (6-12); FREE for children (5 & under); and $9 for a Season 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 art organization dedicated to educating the public and promoting the art created in Laguna Beach.