SAWDUST HOSTS ITS 2011 ANNUAL ARTISTS’ BENEVOLENCE FUND AUCTION

Media Contact: Cynthia Fung
Phone: 949.497.0517
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August 1, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


SAWDUST HOSTS ITS
2011 ANNUAL ARTISTS’ BENEVOLENCE FUND AUCTION
(Live Artists’ Benevolence Fund Auction takes place August 7, 2 pm-5 pm)


Laguna Beach, CA – Sunday, August 7, the Sawdust Art Festival will host the Artists’ Benevolence Fund Art Auction on the Main Entertainment Deck from 2 pm to 5 pm. The live art auction, “helping working artists during extreme financial hardship,” is a chance for Sawdust exhibitors to donate their art for this great cause, which raises the majority of the revenue for the fund. 

The Sawdust Artists’ Benevolence Fund is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping working artists, living in Laguna, during catastrophic events and extreme financial difficulties due to natural disaster, personal illness or any debilitating circumstance that prevents the artist from doing their craft. The Artists’ Benevolence Fund was started in 1987 to help a critically ill Sawdust artist suffering from a catastrophic event and unable to work.  His fellow exhibitors joined forces, donated their artwork and sold it to obtain financial support for their colleague.

This support by Sawdust artists has continued for years, earning over $100,000 in relief to artists.  And in 1993 the fund was reorganized as a non-profit shelter under the umbrella of the Sawdust Art Festival and now includes consideration for all local artists, not just Sawdust artists. During the recent winter floods of December 2010, the Artists’ Benevolence Fund granted over $30,000 to local artists.

All are welcome to the live auction – participation is complimentary with admission into the festival, and anyone may donate to the fund by sending contributions to the Artists’ Benevolence Fund, Sawdust Art Festival, 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.

To check out more details about the Sawdust Art Festival’s 45th 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 24 through August 28, 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 2011 sponsors Honda, 104.3 MYfm, Hoegaarden and Kendall-Jackson.

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