Having recently returned from Southeast Asia, where he was gathering material and inspiration for a new art series, Anderson is now gearing up to build his first booth at the 19th annual holiday-themed Winter Fantasy Sawdust Festival, where he will share his new works.
He will be one of 35 new artist exhibitors, who will join 135 returning Sawdust veterans including jewelry-maker David Nelson, glass blower Jason McQuaid and fellow mixed-media artist Judy Kearby.
“This has been an awesome experience so far,” he said. “It’s artistically inspiring to be surrounded by real, down-to-earth and encouraging artists and to feel such a great sense of community.”
The Fantasy will unfold Saturday, with a tree lighting ceremony with appearances by Mayor Kelly Boyd and Santa Claus, and will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends through Dec. 13.
This year’s theme, “A World of Art and Imagination,” serves to unite artists from all over Southern California and celebrate their various types of art, said Cynthia Fung, public relations and marketing representative for Sawdust.
“The theme represents the wide variety of art media and diversity in artists,” she said. “A globe ornament surrounded by holiday lights and flags created by the artists with images of paint brushes, pallets, jewelry, pottery, and glass represent the different media.”
Festival-goers can watch art being created in the artists’ booths and the ever-popular glass-blowing booth, and will also have the opportunity to explore their own creativity through an array of classes and workshops being offered at the Sawdust Studio, Ceramic Center and Children’s Art Spot.
