SAWDUST ARTISTS’ BENEVOLENCE FUND HOSTS ANNUAL LIVE AUCTION SUNDAY, AUGUST 12

August 6, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SAWDUST ARTISTS’ BENEVOLENCE FUND
HOSTS ANNUAL LIVE AUCTION SUNDAY, AUGUST 12
(Artists’ Benevolence Fund live auction is Sunday, August 12 from 2-5pm on Main Deck)

Laguna Beach, CA – Sunday, August 12, the Sawdust Art Festival will host the annual 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 artwork and for patrons to support this great cause, which will help replenish the moneys that have been granted to those Laguna Beach artists in need. 

The Artists’ Benevolence Fund is a non-profit source of financial assistance 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, a tradition that has continued ever since. The fund was reorganized in 1993 as a non-profit shelter under the umbrella of the Sawdust Art Festival and now includes consideration for all local Laguna Beach artists, not just Sawdust artists.

Recently on June 1, artist John Genesta fell off a ladder while building his Sawdust booth in preparation for the summer season, breaking his neck, shoulder, ribs and lower back.  Within 48 hours after this horrific accident, the Artists’ Benevolence Fund issued a monetary grant to help cover immediate financial expenses necessary for John, his wife Lisa, and their son Adam, to survive. By raising moneys at the annual live auction, the Sawdust Artists’ Benevolence Fund is able to assist artists such as Genesta, who is “more than grateful for the assistance during such a difficult time of need.” With the Artists’ Benevolence Fun assistance, Genesta’s “family was able to get through such a challenging period where (he) was unable to work.”

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 46th 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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