We ended our Laguna Beach stay at the truly iconic 53rd Annual Sawdust Festival.

The Sawdust Art Festival is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public and promoting art created by local artisans in Laguna Beach. Since its inception, the festival has celebrated and supported the work of its hometown artists.
This is non-juried, so it plays a vital role in supporting the careers of many local artists. For nine weeks during the summer, the Festival draws more than 200,000 visitors. Guests are invited to shop along sawdust-covered (placed originally to keep the dirt dust down) paths in a hand-built village of fine art and eclectic craftsmanship.
I have been attending this event, on and off, since the 80s. This was the first time I was aware of the Festival's history. In the mid 1960s, personal freedom of expression broke out and with it, a vibrant arts and crafts movement. In Laguna Beach, that creative energy brought together an influx of young artists and craftspeople, as well as talented local artists who had been juried out of the only summer art festival in town. Fueled by a passionate desire for artistic independence and wanting something fresh and exciting, the Sawdust Festival was born. I was enthralled, with perhaps the most memorable booth ever built, face-painter Star Shields and the Rainbow Kids' walk through Space ship (c. 1973). This place has always been groovy!
Sawdust Art Festival remains true to its humble beginnings, with the intention to always to be different from other art venues, visualizing itself as an artists’ happening rather than an art gallery. To that end, each summer the artists themselves build a handcrafted village of 200 booths to reflect each individual style. The architectural designs are as varied and interesting as the work they showcase, providing guests with a unique experience within the world of the arts.
Live music just added to the magicalness. We loved Offshore Drift, a very talented band from San Diego.

Here exists talent, cleverness, nice people and very unique art.
You know Have'A Corn Chips are worth having when an artist turns their packaging into a permanent zippered bag and sells them for $20. I loved all of Lilo's repurposed items.
And how true is this ceramic fortune cookie? "We are not here for a long time. But we are here for a good time." Yep!
This was a common sighting here, "No Photos Please". There was so much amazing art to share. You'll just have to go and see it for yourself.
The setting truly added to the wonderment of it all as well.


Not only did we get to see Monarch Butterflies in various stages...

I got to become a Monarch Butterfly. So very, very cool.
Two days are never enough for playing in the Laguna Sun. We will be back.