SAWDUST ART FESTIVAL INSTALLS SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE SCULPTURE

August 13, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SAWDUST ART FESTIVAL INSTALLS

SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE SCULPTURE

(Installation will take place Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at 10 am)

Laguna Beach, CA – On Tuesday, August 21 at 10 am, the Sawdust Art Festival will honor over 80 long-time Sawdust artists, founders and contributors that have passed away, when they install a hand-blown glass and stainless steel sculpture that stands 8.5’ tall created by the Sawdust glassblowers’ guild and sculpture artist Larry Gill. The commemorative sculpture named “Torch of Light” will have 80 names engraved in the metal base and the glass portion will light up once installed near the waterfall on the festival grounds.

The “Torch of Light” piece is made up of a 4’ stainless steel base created by Gill and has a clear glass “torch” portion that was hand-blown one month ago by the entire team of Sawdust glassblowers. The Sawdust glassblowers’ guild includes John Barber, Loren Chapman, Bruce Freund, Gavin Heath, Christopher Jeffries, Jason and Nicole McQuaid, Michael Panetta, Muffin Spencer-Devlin, Michele Taylor and Marcus Thesing. The glassblowers’ guild spent 2.5 hours forming the sculpture in a collaborative team effort. Board member Jay Grant, who witnessed the experience, describes the event as “the most extraordinary moment” in his 38 years at the Sawdust. Grant said, “When they were creating the glass portion all together in the studio, I felt an emotional connection with all the friends I have had who passed. It was really really inspiring.”  

The idea of the commemorative sculpture started as a follow-up to the Sawdust history book, which was published in 2005 in order to capture the rich history of how the Sawdust originated. The “Torch of Light” represents the memory of the legacy left by Sawdust founding members and long-time exhibitors and contributors, where individual names of those who have passed will be engraved on the base of the sculpture. Among the 80 names engraved are Sawdust founding members Ed Van Deusen, Dolores Ferrell, Everett Macdonald, Dwight Morouse, Hal Pastorius and Bob Young.     

The official ribbon-cutting ceremony will begin promptly at 10 am. President Gavin Heath will say a few words, followed by Board secretary Jay Grant. All are invited to attend the event. Family members of those being remembered will also be in attendance.

To check out more details about the Sawdust Art Festival’s 46^th annual summer season and calendar of events, please visit www.sawdustartfestival.org or call 949-494-3030. The Sawdust Art Festival is open 10-10 daily June 29 through September 2, and is located at 935 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach with free City trolley service to and from the Act V parking lot. Admission prices are: Adults $7.75, Seniors (65+) $6.25, Children (6-12) $3.25, Children (5 & under) Free; Summer Season Pass $15; Annual Pass $20.

The Sawdust Art Festival is a non-profit art organization dedicated to educating the public and promoting the art created in Laguna Beach.

The Sawdust Art Festival thanks its 2012 sponsors Honda, 104.3 MYfm, Hoegaarden and Kendall-Jackson.

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