Sawdust's Winter Fantasy Returns This Weekend

Submitted story from the Sawdust Festival:

The 22nnd Annual Winter Fantasy, “Art for the Holidays,” begins Saturday, November 17 at the Sawdust Art Festival and will run over four weekends, including the Friday after Thanksgiving, from 10 am to 6 pm each day:

• November 17, 18
• November 23, 24, 25
• December 1, 2
• December 8, 9

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 artisans handcraft each piece of artwork, creating a truly unique holiday shopping experience for visitors. Art mediums include glass, ceramics, jewelry, clothing, textiles, painting, photography, mixed-media and more.

Opening weekend entertainment schedule as follows:

Saturday, November 17

• 10:30 am-5 pm – Visits with Santa at Santa’s House in Towne Square
• 10:30 am-11:30 am – The Festival Singers, ensemble performance on the Main Deck
• 11 am-3 pm – Balloon Diva roams the grounds creating balloon artistry
• 11:30 am-4 pm – Michael Ubaldini, Americana music at the Tavern stage
• 11:30 am-4 pm – Andrew Corradini, acoustic folk at the Grill stage
• 12-4 pm – Magic Matt roams the grounds performing magic tricks
• 12-4:30 pm – Tricia Freeman, blues and country rock on the Main Deck
• 5-5:30 pm – T.O.W. Elementary School Chorus, ensemble performance in Towne Square
• 5:30-6 pm – 12th Annual Community Tree Lighting Ceremony

Sunday, November 18

• 10:30 am-5 pm – Visits with Santa at Santa’s House in Towne Square
• 11 am-3 pm – Balloon Diva roams the grounds creating balloon artistry
• 11:30 am-4 pm – Chris & Sue, jazz and blues at the Tavern stage
• 11:30 am-4:30 pm – Dave Cross; jazz, blues and pop at the Grill stage
• 12-4 pm – Magic Matt roams the grounds performing magic tricks
• 12-4:30 pm – Upstream, reggae on the Main Dick
• 2-4 pm – Fireside Carolers roam the grounds singing holiday carols

Opening weekend art class schedule as follows:

Saturday, November 17

• 10 am-4:30 pm – “Throw a Pot” at the Ceramic Center with Sawdust Staff; Ages: all; Fee: FREE for greenware, $8 to glaze and fire; $16 to glaze, fire and ship to your home
• 10:30-11:30 am – “Clothespin Characters” with Mary Keating at Studio One; Ages: 7 to adult; FREE of charge
• 10:30 am-12:30 pm – “Sponge Paint a Tree” with Sawdust Staff at the Children’s Art Spot; Ages 4+; FREE of charge
• 12-2 pm – “Cork Mushrooms” with Sawdust Staff at Studio One; Ages: 6 to adult; FREE of charge
• 1-3 pm – “Paper Bag Puppets” with Sawdust Staff at the Children’s Art Spot; Ages: 5+; FREE of charge
• 2:30-3:30 pm – “Eco Book of Dreams” with Terrell Anansi at Studio One; Ages: 6 to adult; FREE of charge
• 3:30-5:30 pm – “Woven Gift Basket” with Sawdust Staff at the Children’s Art Spot; Ages: 6 to adult; FREE of charge
• 4-5:30 pm – “Origami Ornaments” with Leila Ehdaie at Studio One; Ages: 6 to adult

Sunday, November 18

• 10 am-4:30 pm – “Throw a Pot” at the Ceramic Center with Sawdust Staff; Ages: all; Fee: FREE for greenware, $8 to glaze and fire; $16 to glaze, fire and ship to your home
• 10:30-11:30 am – “Air-dry Clay Ornaments” with Mary Marquez at the Children’s Art Spot; Ages: 4+; FREE of charge
• 10:30 am-12:30 pm – “Watercolor Cards” with Linda Velasco at Studio One; Ages: 7 to adult; FREE of charge
• 12-12:30 pm – “D is for Doggies” with Michael Thorstensen at Children’s Art Spot; Ages: 1 to 5; FREE of charge1-2:30 pm – “Trash Treasures” with Michelle Holt at Studio One; Ages: 6 to adult; FREE of charge

• 1-2:30 pm – “Pinecone Turkeys” with Evelda Loftsgaard and Sawdust Staff at the Children’s Art Spot; Ages: 4+; FREE of charge
• 3-4 pm – “Paper Poinsettias” with Lupe Blanton at Studio One; Ages: 6 to adult; FREE of charge
• 3-5:30 pm – “Stained Glass Window” with Sawdust Staff at the Children’s Art Spot; Ages: 4+; FREE of charge
• 4:30-5:30 pm – “Felt Gnomes” with Greta Silva at Studio One; Ages: 6 to adult; FREE of charge

The 12th Annual Community Tree Lighting Ceremony, a Laguna Beach holiday tradition, will take place opening day on Saturday, November 17, at 5:30 pm when the winners of the community tree and artist booth decorating contest will be announced. Laguna Beach City Council Member Kelly Boyd will formally light the Community Tree, officiating the 2012 holiday season. 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 only.

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 every Sunday of the festival. Toys for Tots is 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 2012 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 22nd Annual Winter Fantasy at the Sawdust Art Festival runs four weekends: November 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 and December 1, 2, 8, 9. Hours are 10 am to 6 pm. Adult admission is $6; $5 for Seniors (65+); $3 for children (6-12); FREE for children (5 & under); 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.