Sawdust Art Festival features around 180 Laguna Beach artists at booths along paths covered in sawdust . Clockwise from top right : art classes at the festival ; a glassblowing demonstration ; musician David Rosales performing during a past year
SAWDUST GOES SUSTAINABLE The annual Sawdust Art Festival also has deep roots in the community . It ’ s been around since the mid-1960s , when the first two shows were held in various spots including the Peacock lot near Coast Highway before moving in 1968 to the current 3-acre eucalyptus grove in Laguna Canyon .
“ The Sawdust Festival is deeply embedded in the history of Laguna Beach and spans generations of local families that have either been artists at the show or employees for summer jobs ,” says Sawdust President Andrew Soliz . His advice for first-time visitors ? “ Take your time and have an open mind ,” he says .
In a bid to be more sustainable this year and lower participation costs , the artists ’ booths won ’ t be torn down at the end of the event so they can be used again next summer . Around 180 Laguna Beach artists working in ceramics , jewelry , glass , photography , painting and other mediums will take the spotlight at this year ’ s show .
There will also be art demonstrations , complimentary art classes as well as three stages of live music , plus outdoor dining and drinking options . Beloved local favorite Taco Loco , which closed its South Coast Highway eatery last year , will open a food booth at Sawdust this summer including many menu items that were offered at the old location .
Roaming balloon artists , magicians and acoustic guitarists will add to the festive atmosphere . Special themes include Beatles Day on Aug . 24 and Country Western Day on Aug . 3 . A Sip , Talk & Walk wine tasting and docent-led tour is at 3 p . m . Wednesdays while a fashion show is set Aug . 4 from noon to 2 p . m .
Most of the art classes operate on a firstcome , first-served basis , so the sooner you get there the better . Sawdust opens at 11 a . m . daily for the duration . The festival runs from June 28 to Sept . 1 . For more information , visit sawdustartfestival . org . /
COURTESY OF SAWDUST ART FESTIVAL
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