SAWDUST WINTER FANTASY PRESENTS 21st ANNUAL WINTER FANTASY, “PUT A LITTLE SPARKLE IN YOUR HOLIDAY”

Media Contact: Cynthia Fung
949-497-0517
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

October 24, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SAWDUST WINTER FANTASY PRESENTS
21st ANNUAL WINTER FANTASY, “PUT A LITTLE SPARKLE IN YOUR HOLIDAY”
(2011 Winter Fantasy opens four weekends: November 19 – December 11)

Laguna Beach, CA – The 21st Annual Winter Fantasy, “Put a Little Sparkle in Your Holiday,” begins Saturday, November 19 at the Sawdust Art Festival and will run over four weekends, including two Fridays, from 10 am to 6 pm each day:
•    November 19, 20
•    November 25, 26, 27
•    December 3, 4
•    December 9, 10, 11
Over 170 talented artisans, will create, showcase and sell their original artwork on the Sawdust grounds, which will be transformed into a winter wonderland with thousands of holiday decorations and a freshly built “Towne Square” in the center of the festival. The featured Winter Fantasy artists and craftspeople handcraft each piece of artwork, creating a truly unique holiday shopping experience for visitors. Art media include art glass, ceramics, jewelry, clothing, textiles, painting, photography, mixed-media and more.

Following the Sawdust’s mission of educating the public, artists will create artwork live in front of our guests, in the artists’ booths and at our every-popular Glassblowing Booth. Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore their own creativity and take an art class at the Sawdust Studio, Ceramic Center, Children’s Art Spot and even the classrooms of the year-round Sawdust Studio Art Classes.

Special activities for families and kids include pottery wheel throwing in holiday-themed shapes at the Ceramic Center, and many art and craft projects at both the Sawdust Studio and Children's Art Spot. Art classes appropriate for all ages offered on the festival grounds include

(Continued)
Page 2/SAF Winter Fantasy

"Upcycled Decorative Ornaments," "Create Your Own Wrapping Paper," "Air-dry Clay Snow People," holiday cards and decorations, and much more. All art classes are taught by Sawdust artists and staff using a wide variety of unique materials, instruction and supplies.

“Winter Art Series” classes scheduled during the Winter Fantasy are highlighted below (all complimentary with admission):
•     “Winter Watercolors” with Linda Velasco – Get excited about watercolors and take a class with visiting watercolor artist Linda Velasco. Create a beautiful and daring watercolor scene to take home. Sunday, November 20 in the Sawdust Studio from 10:30 am-12 pm, ages 6 to adult.
•    “Embellished Holiday Gift Holder” with Judy Kearby and Susan Leonhard – Create a multi-purpose embellished holder with artists Judy Kearby and Susuan Leonhard. This hanging cone-shaped holder is great for holiday gifts or to hold a tealight candle or small plant. Friday, November 25 in the Sawdust Studio from 3:30-5:30 pm, ages 6 to adult.
•    “Digital Photography” with Mary Gulino – Beginners welcome! Bring your digital camera and creativity to this digital photography workshop. Winter Fantasy photographer Mary Gulino will walk you through tips and tricks of this modern art form. Sundays, November 27 and December 4 & 11 in the Healy House from 4-5 pm, all ages.
•    “Challenging Location Photography” with Ret Talbot – Join new Winter Fantasy photographer Ret Talbot in this unique class where you will learn photo-journalism in less-than-ideal conditions (i.e. in humid, wet, dusty conditions with no power at a place where no one speaks the same language). Saturdays, November 26 and December 10 in the Healy House from 4-5 pm, ages 12 to adult.
•     “Aspects of Photography” with Paul Renner – Learn to get the most out of your digital camera with famous travel and safari photographer Paul Renner. Saturday, December 3 in the Healy House from 4-5 pm, ages 12 to adult.
•    “Weaving with Natural Dye” with Antonio Mendoza – Take advantage of this opportunity to learn the traditional methods of weaving using natural dye. Sunday, December 4 in the Healy House from 2:30-3:30 pm, ages 12 to adult.

The 11th Annual Community Tree Lighting Ceremony, a Laguna Beach holiday tradition, will begin on opening day, November 19, at 5:30 pm when the winners of the community tree and artist booth decorating contest will be announced. Laguna Beach Mayor Toni Iseman will formally light the Community Tree, kicking off our official 2011 holiday season. To help celebrate the opening event, special guests and community performers including the Laguna Community Concert Band, Magic Matt, Top of the World honors chorus, Lil’ Dickens Carolers, Tricia Freeman, Balloon Diva and, of course, Santa will entertain the crowd. Complimentary holiday cookies and apple cider will be provided during the opening ceremony. Laguna Beach residents are admitted free with ID after 3 pm on opening day.

Don't miss out on the many photo ops in Towne Square, where you will find Children's Playhouse, Santa's House and Sleigh, Reindeer Barn, Community Tree and even falling snow! 

Throughout the remainder of the festival, guests can participate in the special community events planned for this winter show, including Toys for Tots, a foundation supported by the Marine Corps Reserve. With a mission of collecting toys to distribute as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community, visitors to the 2011 Winter Fantasy can show their support by contributing new unwrapped toys for children, newborn to 17, every Sunday during the festival. Those that donate a toy with a value of $5 or more will receive free one-day admission to the Winter Fantasy that Sunday.

The 21st Annual Winter Fantasy at the Sawdust Art Festival runs four weekends, November 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 and December 3, 4, 9, 10, 11. Hours are 10 am to 6 pm. Adult admission is $6; Seniors $5, age 65 and up; $3 for children ages 6-12; children under five years of age are free; and $9 for a Season Pass. The festival is located at the Sawdust Art Festival, 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651. For additional information, please visit www.sawdustartfestival.org or call 949-494-3030.

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