Sawdust Art Festival extends a philanthropic hand to local creatives.

By Clara Beard

Since its genesis in 1967, Sawdust Art Festival has played an indispensable role in supporting the careers of Laguna Beach artists. With its two annual events—the summer festival, typically held from late June through August or early September, and Winter Fantasy in November and December—the Sawdust organization was founded to engage and educate visitors on Laguna’s remarkable arts culture.

Around 20 years later, the festival’s philanthropic reach toward local artists stretched even further with the creation of the Artists’ Relief Fund. When Sawdust exhibitors learned of a fellow artist struggling to make ends meet due to a terminal illness, they rallied to help with a donated collection of art to sell at auction.

“It sparked the realization that a more robust fund for artists could be meaningful,” says Candice Brokenshire, who serves as treasurer on the Artists’ Benevolence Fund board of trustees. “The fund was established, and the first auction was held with artists donating their art.”

Initially created for Sawdust artists, the board of trustees broadened its criteria in the mid-1990s to include any artist who lived in Laguna Beach and the effort was renamed the Artists’ Benevolence Fund.

To seek one of these grants, an application form is available on the Sawdust website or by calling 949-494-3030. The Artists’ Benevolence Fund trustees review applications, and monies are awarded if the parameters are met. The fund charter only allows trustees to give money to artists who have suffered unexpected calamity or tragedy that prevents them from working.

“For that reason, there is a lot of trauma and deep humility that comes along with each application,” Brokenshire says. “We’ve had applicants who have to undergo serious surgeries or have applied because of a fire that caused loss of their equipment or displacement due to domestic violence.”

The fund has helped replace tools or provided an emergency fund while artists are temporarily unable to work. The ultimate goal is to help affected artists get back on their feet.

“I think that the Sawdust Art Festival has a lot of heart with what it does in terms of teaching, being a nonprofit and being an environment for people to enjoy,” says Sawdust exhibitor Joan Gladstone, who donates her artwork to the auction. “The Artists’ Benevolence Fund is just one more aspect of the heart and soul of the show.”

Taking Care of Their Own

Festival exhibitors donate original works and community members come together to support the Artists’ Benevolence Fund auction.

Art From the Heart

To raise money for the Artists’ Benevolence Fund, a popular live auction is held annually at the Sawdust Art Festival grounds. This year, the event will take place Aug. 11 from noon to 3 p.m., featuring original artwork by Sawdust artists, with all of the proceeds benefiting the fund. “It is packed,” says Sawdust artist Joan Gladstone. “When I’ve gone up to see the auction in process, every single seat is filled and many people return year after year to see what’s available and to bid.” Candice Brokenshire, the treasurer on the fund’s board of trustees, says the auction organizers’ hearts are always full when they see how many Sawdust artists are willing to donate their one-of-a-kind pieces for the auction. “But given art is such a personal experience, and depending on who attends the auction, not every piece gets a bite,” Brokenshire says. “If that’s the case, we respectfully return the art back to the artist.” After the fundraiser, some Sawdust artists have been known to eventually sell their auction pieces over the summer and still donate the proceeds to the Artists’ Benevolence Fund. “We also have artists who have benefited from the fund who, in turn, donate work when they can,” Brokenshire says. “That’s a beautiful cycle of giving back.”

A Community Effort

This year, Voice of Laguna radio station owner Ed Steinfeld will serve as the auctioneer alongside David Nelson, the current chairman of the Artists’ Benevolence Fund board. Trustees Trevor LePenske, Barbara Lolli, Ed Chang and Beth Kukuk, along with a few volunteers, will also take roles in the payment and wrapping stations, and presenting the artwork to the guests in attendance. The public is encouraged to attend the auction Aug. 11; entrance to the festival is free for participants. “It’s a wonderful win-win. You can leave with a fabulous piece of art, in a variety of mediums, and know that the money will help an artist when they need it most,” Brokenshire says. In addition to its traditional annual auction, the Artists’ Benevolence Fund board is always looking for new ways to raise money to help artists in need. “The art auction has been a staple for so many years, but there have been early conversations about possibly hosting a golf tournament for community members who’d rather contribute in a different way,” Brokenshire says.

Making a Difference

Gladstone says she was unaware of the Artists’ Benevolence Fund until she joined the Sawdust exhibitor coterie four years ago. Ever since then, Gladstone has donated her vibrant paintings to the cause. This year, she’s contributing a limited-edition fine art print of Michael Minutoli, Laguna Beach’s current greeter. “I’ve been so impressed by the work that they do to assist artists in need,” Gladstone says of the fund’s organizers. “I know at least one person who was helped by the Artist’s Benevolence Fund to tide her over in an emergency. She was an acquaintance that had a health issue, and her insurance didn’t cover what she needed. So the Benevolence Fund aided her at that time.”