Laguna Beach’s Festival of the Arts and Sawdust Art Festival are back, drawing large crowds along Laguna Canyon Road and the main beach this summer.
The 56th annual Sawdust Art Festival, open daily until Aug. 28, features work from 162 of the city’s own artists.
Artists have their own vending booths where visitors can purchase from their gallery and watch them create their work. These range from up-and-coming young talent to long-time respected local artists.
Bands perform live music from three stages around the venue.
Complimentary art classes are available as well as live glassblowing demonstrations.
Outdoor dining options are available onsite with six concession stands and the Sawdust Saloon serving a wide variety of specialty wine and beer.
Adult tickets are available on the Sawdust Festival site for $10 per person. There are discount options for seniors and children as well.
The 90th annual Festival of the Arts is open until Sept. 2, just down the road from the Sawdust Festival. Here, art enthusiasts can view exhibits, live art demonstrations and music, and meet some local artists.
This festival is a nonproft event that gives back to art educational programs, funds art exhibits, and gives scholarships to high school students. Its goal is to promote and encourage the appreciation, study, and performance of the arts.
The open-air art gallery offers several exhibits, including the gallery’s permanent art collection, this year’s Festival of the Arts collection, a junior collection, and an “art-to-go” exhibit for those wanting to purchase the works of art.
General admission tickets on weekdays is $10 and on weekends, $15. There are also discounts for seniors and children available.
