The 23rd annual Winter Fantasy, “A Whole New World of Art,” begins Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Sawdust Art Festival and will run over four weekends, including the Friday after Thanksgiving, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, concluding Dec. 14 and 15.
Opening day entertainment, free to Laguna Beach residents after 3 p.m., includes late afternoon carolers and TOW’s school chorus preceding the 5:30 p.m. tree lighting. Mayor Pro Tem Elizabeth Pearson will through the switch and the winners of the community tree and artist booth decorating contest will be announced. Complimentary holiday cookies and apple cider will be provided.
Over 170 artisans – including 24 new artists — will create, showcase and sell their original artwork on the Sawdust grounds in Laguna Canyon, 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 artisans handcraft each piece of artwork; art mediums include glass, ceramics, jewelry, clothing, textiles, painting, photography, mixed-media and more.
Among the newcomers is jewelry maker Beth Kukuk, in Booth No. 314, who made coming to the Sawdust Winter
Fantasy part of her family tradition, “where we’ve enjoyed throwing pots, sitting on Santa’s knee, strolling through
the eucalyptus, listening to great music with a nice drink and shopping for unique gifts.” This year, she expresses excitement for “living out my own ‘winter fantasy’ by joining this great community of artists.”
Opening weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 23 and 24, the festival offers an array of free art classes in the Children’s Art Spot and Studio One.
Bring a camera to take advantage of Towne Square scenery, where you will find a Children’s Playhouse, Santa’s house and sleigh, a reindeer barn, a grove of decorated trees and even falling snow.
Guests can also participate in special community events planned for the show, including contributing to the Toys for Tots campaign on Sundays, where a new unwrapped donation earns a free one-day admission.
Adult admission is $6; $5 for seniors, $3 for children under 12 and free for those under 5.
[…] year, 33 new artists join 142 others for the five-weekend long Winter Fantasy. As in previous years, the festival grounds main square will be transformed into a Towne Square of trees decorated by […]