S ince its genesis in 1967 , Sawdust Art Festival has played an indispensable role in supporting the careers of Laguna Beach artists . With its two annual events — the summer festival , typically held from late June through August or early September , and Winter Fantasy in November and December — the Sawdust organization was founded to engage and educate visitors on Laguna ’ s remarkable arts culture . Around 20 years later , the festival ’ s philanthropic reach toward local artists stretched even further with the creation of the Artists ’ Relief Fund . When Sawdust exhibitors learned of a fellow artist struggling to make ends meet due to a terminal illness , they rallied to help with a donated collection of art to sell at auction .
“ It sparked the realization that a more robust fund for artists could be
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meaningful ,” says Candice Brokenshire , who serves as treasurer on the Artists ’ Benevolence Fund board of trustees . “ The fund was established , and the first auction was held with artists donating their art .”
Initially created for Sawdust artists , the board of trustees broadened its criteria in the mid-1990s to include any artist who lived in Laguna Beach and the effort was renamed the Artists ’ Benevolence Fund .
To seek one of these grants , an application form is available on the Sawdust website or by calling 949-494-3030 . The Artists ’ Benevolence Fund trustees review applications , and monies are awarded if the parameters are met . The fund charter only allows trustees to give money to artists who have suffered unexpected calamity or tragedy that prevents them from working .
“ For that reason , there is a lot of
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trauma and deep humility that comes along with each application ,” Brokenshire says . “ We ’ ve had applicants who have to undergo serious surgeries or have applied because of a fire that caused loss of their equipment or displacement due to domestic violence .”
The fund has helped replace tools or provided an emergency fund while artists are temporarily unable to work . The ultimate goal is to help affected artists get back on their feet .
“ I think that the Sawdust Art Festival has a lot of heart with what it does in terms of teaching , being a nonprofit and being an environment for people to enjoy ,” says Sawdust exhibitor Joan Gladstone , who donates her artwork to the auction . “ The Artists ’ Benevolence Fund is just one more aspect of the heart and soul of the show .”
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THIS SPREAD : COURTESY OF SAWDUST ART FESTIVAL |
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