Sawdust Art Festival
The Sawdust Art Festival has become as much a cultural and artistic landmark as a well known sight along Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach. Starting on the vacant Peacock lot near Park Avenue in 1965, the festival moved to its present three-acre site in 1968. After the exhibitors spread sawdust on the ground to keep the dust down, the local media unofficially named it the Sawdust Festival. The site was purchased in 1972, but it wasn’t until the late 70s/early 80s that some infrastructure with a permanent fence, restrooms and other buildings, especially the front facade, were built. The unusual, eclectic booths the artists use to display their work are built and designed by the artists. Over the years, the Sawdust Festival has evolved into its own Village, with classes, glassblowing demonstrations, dining areas, a water wheel, and several concert stages.
Laguna Beach, Orange County
Photographer: Andrew Schmidt