Winter arts in Laguna

SUZIE HARRISON

If this weekend’s art and entertainment options were a skiing event,

it would definitely be the giant slalom: You need a lot of speed, but

you have to make each turn to execute the course. Perhaps it’s

obvious that I have the ski bug, but there is a cold front blowing in

with the Winter Fantasy, after all.

WALKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND

Saturday starts the winter season in Laguna with the 13th annual

Sawdust Art Festival’s Winter Fantasy. More than 170 artists will be

exhibiting and selling their original art including jewelry,

ceramics, blown glass, clothing, sculpture and more.

It’s easy to see why they call it the “Winter Fantasy” with the

lights twinkling on the outside and the grounds decked out with all

the lights, decorations and trees.

One of the differences between the Sawdust’s summer and winter

show is that the winter show allows artists outside of Laguna to

exhibit. Artists will be coming from Hawaii, Arizona and Colorado, as

well as other parts of the country and state.

Admission is free for Laguna residents from 3 p.m. to close during

the first day of the festival, also known as “Community Day.” It’s an

aptly named occasion with plenty of festivities. The Laguna Community

Concert Band will play holiday favorites on the main stage from 3 to

5 p.m. There will be a judging contest -- I am thrilled to be one of

the selected judges who will be choosing my three favorite “most

holiday themed” artist’s booths and my three favorite holiday trees

decorated by community groups.

Mayor Toni Iseman will light the community tree at the Fantasy’s

Town Square at 5 p.m. Following that will be a dance performed by the

California Choreographers Dance Festival, songs by LaguneTunes chorus

with Pat Kollenda and Roxanna Ward and the announcement of the

winners.

Additionally the Top of the World and El Morro Elementary School’s

Honor Choruses will be performing, as will carolers.

A snowfield is available for children to play in and Santa Claus

will be there listening to wish lists.

This year the Winter Fantasy committee, its members having endured

the fires 10 years ago, are reaching out to the Julian-Cuyamaca Fire

Department to help out the firefighters who lots their homes while

saving other people’s homes.

“We are taking donations in the wishing well,” community and media

relations manager Rebecca Meekma said. “The Sawdust is going to be

doing a significant contribution. We’re a small town helping another

small town.”

The Winter Fantasy runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for four weekends

-- Nov. 22 and 23, Nov. 28, 29 and 30, Dec. 6 and 7 and Dec. 13 and

14. Adults and children can sign up for a variety of art classes from

ornament making to watercolor painting and others. Admission is $4

for adults, $2 for children 6 to 12 years old and a season pass is

available for $5. The Winter Fantasy is located at 935 Laguna Canyon

Road. For more information call 494-3030 or go to

www.sawdustartfestival.org.

OBERMEYER ON DISPLAY

Laguna artist Michael Obermeyer will be on exhibit at Gallery

McCollum, at 206 N. Coast Highway, with his new paintings of

California and Hawaii. An artist reception is scheduled from 6 to 9

p.m. Saturday.

In July Obermeyer won the “Collector’s Choice Award” at the Fifth

annual Laguna Beach Invitational Plein Air Competition, and he

recently won the “Award of Excellence” at the La Quinta Desert Plein

Air and the Gold Medal at the Carmel Art Festival.

Obermeyer is a member of the Oil Painters of America, The

California Art Club, The American Impressionist Society and The

Society of Illustrators and is a Signature Member of the Laguna Plein

Air Painters Association.

His paintings are showing at galleries in Carmel and Laguna Beach,

where he is also a regular exhibitor at the Festival of Arts. He has

paintings in the U.S. Air Force Historical Art Collection in the

Smithsonian Institute and the Pentagon.

For more information about the event, call the Gallery McCollum at

497-4027 or go online to https://www.gallery mccollum.com.