Arts And Crafts

The Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot went to the Laguna Beach Public Library, and asked the kids engaged in a story and arts and crafts activity, on Wednesday morning, the question, 'Who is your favorite story book character?' "All the Amelia Bedilia story books and Einstein Anderson too." DANIEL RING, 5 "Cats and princesses -- I love all the characters in the world and I like to read all the books in the world." LAUREN RING, 4 "Max and Ruby, they are brother and sister little rabbits."

GETTING INVOLVED runs periodically in the Coastline Pilot. If you'd like information about getting your organization listed, call (949) 494-4321. Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach provides sports, homework, arts and crafts and mentoring services for children of all ages. Information: Kim Maxwell, (949) 494-2535. Bridge Learning Center for Homeless Children Inc. is seeking mentors to talk to children living in this transitional shelter to improve their self-esteem, President Howard Levin said.

The Neighborhood Congregational Church is hosting a special evening of arts, crafts and a musical review at 6 p.m. on Sat., May 4. "All the proceeds from the arts and crafts sale and the performance will support the programs that the church supports," said church spokeswoman Nancy Pearlman. The programs benefited include the Children's Ministry, Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry, Labyrinth Walk, Taize, Laguna Outreach and Friendship Shelter. "This is truly a community event," said Pearlman.

For Laguna Beach, June isn't only the first month of summer — it's the start of an annual migration to the city's "big three" art festivals. On June 24, the 45th annual Sawdust Art Festival opens its doors to unveil a talented colony of local artists who not only sell their art, but also teach their craft during workshops. Susan Wade, Sawdust treasurer and painter, said the festival is integral to the city's character. "I think we are part of the reason that people consider coming, living, making a home and being part of something extremely unique," Wade said.

For at least 33 years, the Laguna Craft Guild has given artists and artisans a place to show and sell their wares in arts-friendly Laguna Beach, without the rigors of a jury or expensive setup costs. The Craft Guild sets up its tent on the Main Beach Cobblestones 14 times a year over a nine-month period, always on a Sunday. The next show is 9 a.m. to sundown Oct. 23. "It is a stepping stone for many artists," said guild president Rachel Goberman, a jewelry-maker. "It's a good place for young, new artists because it's easy, affordable and friendly.

Suzie Harrison The Festival of Arts likes to say aloha with its annual Hawaiian Cultural Day, held Saturday. It's a family-centered event with activities going all day long that coincide with the event. "Hawaiian Cultural Day was a very enjoyable event and gave our patrons an opportunity to participate in some of the customs of our 50th state," said Sharbie Higuchi, marketing and public relations director for the Festival of Arts. The event featured Hawaiian culture, traditions, fine art, hands-on crafts music and other influences through demonstrations.

Mary A. Castillo Pirates took over the Laguna Beach Boys and Girls Club this week as part of the "theme days"that children can help organize throughout the summer. The members ran through the building, eagerly searching for hidden treasures. The prize? Many long, summer days spent with friends, said Susie Hird, program director. "There are so many programs this summer it's hard to keep track of them all," she said. Although attendance drops from an average 150 children per day to only 65, the club still bustles with activity.

Laguna Beach is in the process of its annual transformation from a small, local beach and surf town to a summer destination for sun-and-art seekers from around the world. You could call it the season of "Festivus," (with due recognition to the "Seinfeld" show for inventing the name). This weekend, the "big three" art festivals will throw open their doors with fanfare to welcome what they hope will be throngs of the art-loving and art-buying public for two months of exciting and exhausting "festivalling."

Suzie Harrison Put your shoes on, it's time to do the Sawdust shuffle. The sawdust arrived Wednesday and the artists are busily attending to the last detail for the Sawdust Festival, the annual arts and crafts festival that features the best artists in Laguna Beach. All mediums of fine arts and crafts will be exhibited, including art glass, ceramics, clothing, jewelry, leather, oil painting, printmaking, sculpture, watercolor and woodworking. The doors open to the public next Friday and will remain open everyday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., through September 1. This year the festival boasts an even larger group of Laguna Beach artists than previous ones, with 197 artists exhibiting, including 29 newcomers.

For at least 33 years, the Laguna Craft Guild has given artists and artisans a place to show and sell their wares in arts-friendly Laguna Beach, without the rigors of a jury or expensive setup costs. The Craft Guild sets up its tent on the Main Beach Cobblestones 14 times a year over a nine-month period, always on a Sunday. The next show is 9 a.m. to sundown Oct. 23. "It is a stepping stone for many artists," said guild president Rachel Goberman, a jewelry-maker. "It's a good place for young, new artists because it's easy, affordable and friendly.

Till Friday Montage Summer Sale Salon One at Montage Laguna Beach is hosting a summer sale with 50% off all items including women's and men's fashion apparel, handbags and accessories. All sales are final. The Montage is at 30801 S. Coast Hwy. For more information, call (949) 715-6190. Friday Garden Club Meeting The Laguna Beach Garden Club meets at its new location at 9:30 a.m. at Tankersley Hall at Laguna Presbyterian Church, 415 Forest Ave. Master gardener Sharael Kolberg will discuss the importance of school gardens.

For Laguna Beach, June isn't only the first month of summer — it's the start of an annual migration to the city's "big three" art festivals. On June 24, the 45th annual Sawdust Art Festival opens its doors to unveil a talented colony of local artists who not only sell their art, but also teach their craft during workshops. Susan Wade, Sawdust treasurer and painter, said the festival is integral to the city's character. "I think we are part of the reason that people consider coming, living, making a home and being part of something extremely unique," Wade said.

The Sawdust Festival’s Winter Fantasy gives us all something to be thankful for: We don’t have to fight the post-Thanksgiving crowds at the mall to shop for those special gifts. Opening Day ceremonies Saturday included the traditional tree lighting by Mayor Kelly Boyd — one of his last official and most heartwarming acts before handing over the gavel to his successor to be named at the December council meeting. “It was magical,” said Sawdust General Manager Tom Klingenmeier . “Listening to the people and hearing the oohs and aahs from the children when the lights went on and the three machines were pumping out snow was perfect.

Scouts learn about tools A group of Wolf Cub Scouts from Troop #35 of Laguna Beach were treated to a special afternoon during their Nov. 9 Den meeting. The Scouts needed to become familiar with many of the common tools used in building, and visited Ganahl Lumber in Laguna Beach, where store Manager Chuck Robinson arranged for the Scouts to meet with John Bates, the store?s tool expert, who showed the boys basic tools. The Scouts were also introduced to some heavy machinery and each was given a Stanley measuring tape.

ART-A-FAIR The Art-A-Fair is the only summer festival in Laguna that invites artists from around the world to participate, and hosts 125 exhibitors who offer their paintings, sculpture, digital art, jewelry and more. It will bring back the romantic Venetian carnival theme it introduced last year, adding more elements to immerse visitors in its “Palazzo Laguna,” making the Art-A-Fair a perfect date night option. Daily workshops from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. give visitors the chance to create their own work.

Holding his pristine white hat in one hand, Seaman Nick McConnell — a recent graduate of the Coast Guard Academy — watched kids create valentines for the U.S. Military. On three successive Wednesdays in January, Top of the World Elementary students had the opportunity to go to the multipurpose room during lunch to participate in a variety of arts and crafts as part of the free, PTA-sponsored Local Color program. McConnell’s mother is a kindergarten aide at the school; her son, a 2003 graduate of Laguna Beach High School, was at home on nine days’ leave before departing for his new digs at the Coast Guard military base on Kodiak Island, Alaska — the largest Coast Guard base in the world.

Laguna Beach is in the process of its annual transformation from a small, local beach and surf town to a summer destination for sun-and-art seekers from around the world. You could call it the season of "Festivus," (with due recognition to the "Seinfeld" show for inventing the name). This weekend, the "big three" art festivals will throw open their doors with fanfare to welcome what they hope will be throngs of the art-loving and art-buying public for two months of exciting and exhausting "festivalling."

Cindy Frazier It's all a matter of taste. The city's three major art festivals open this week, turning Laguna Beach into a destination for art lovers and truly providing "something for everybody" in the realm of art. Summer art festivals have been a Laguna tradition since the Great Depression in the 1930s. Over the years, the three festivals have engaged in a friendly competition as they vie for the admiring eyes-- and dollars -- of the public.