Art Education has roots in the Sawdust Art Festival’s history. While visitors come to see art, the festival’s deeper mission has always been to help people experience it for themselves.
In the 1990s, the organization began emphasizing public education through live artist demonstrations inside exhibitor booths. This initiative encouraged artists to share not only their finished work, but also the techniques and tools behind it. That first step toward open, hands-on learning became the foundation of what would later grow into the Sawdust Art Education Department in 2010.
As those early demonstrations gained popularity, a small group of exhibiting artists and organizers recognized a growing interest among visitors who wanted to do more than watch, they wanted to create. From those early efforts, the festival began offering workshops and short art sessions led by exhibiting artists. What started as a few informal classes has since evolved into a year-round education program serving over 38,000 participants each year.
”I truly believe everyone is an artist. The creative spark is something we’re all born with – it just tends to get pushed aside as we grow up. Creativity isn’t about talent or perfection; it’s about giving yourself permission to play, explore, and experiment the way you did as a child. When people let go of expectation and reconnect with that sense of curiosity, their confidence grows and their creativity naturally follows. My goal is always to create spaces where that spark can be rediscovered”.
AnnJo Droog, Director of Art Education
Today, the Art Education Department offers a wide variety of programs designed to make art accessible to everyone. During the summer and winter festivals, visitors can take complimentary walk-in classes in painting, ceramics, printmaking, jewelry, mixed media and so much more. Beyond the festival grounds, Art Education provides year-round programming: Sawdust Art Classes (SAC) for private classes and small-group workshops; youth art with local schools and youth groups; private art events for corporate groups; and outreach with other community organizations.
Every class is led by a Sawdust exhibiting artist or talented member of staff. This creates a unique learning environment where participants gain both technical instruction and personal insight into the artistic process. It also provides working artists with new opportunities to share their craft, connect with audiences, and earn additional income.
As part of the Sawdust Art Festival’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit mission, the Art Education Department plays a vital role in fulfilling the organization’s goal to educate and inspire the public. Proceeds from classes and workshops are reinvested into educational outreach, free community activities, and continued support for local artists. In this way, every class helps sustain the creative ecosystem of Laguna Beach.
The department’s long-standing philosophy is simple: art is for everyone. Classes are designed to remove the fear of failure and to encourage experimentation and self-expression. That philosophy comes to life in every class, something AnnJo sees firsthand; “So many students arrive unsure of their ability but leave with a finished piece they’re proud of, and often a renewed sense of confidence and curiosity.”
Looking ahead, the department is focused on improving its studio spaces and expanding its impact in the community. Plans include updating teaching areas to better serve students and artists, hosting more free art events that bring creative opportunities to local families, and strengthening school partnerships to reach even more young people through art education. These efforts aim to make the Sawdust Art Education Department an even more vibrant and welcoming center for learning, creativity, and connection.
Learn more or sign up for a class at www.sawdustartfestival.org
