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Hammers bang and the buzz of electric saws resonates through the eucalyptus-shaded grove at 935 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach. Funky wooden booths are being constructed — some already done — and the small, friendly village of artists that comprises the Sawdust Art Festival is once again taking shape in Laguna Beach.
It's the return of a summer tradition that started in 1967. But after a yearlong hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the return of festival art season in Laguna Beach takes on special meaning this year.
"We're so excited. Aside from the financial setback (the pandemic) caused, it's a gathering of the tribe," said Shamus Koch, a found-object sculptor who's been in the Sawdust for 23 years. "All that was disrupted — it affected our psyche. Of course, you miss the money. My entire income, other than the rental that I have, comes from the Sawdust summer and winter shows. We forget what a great opportunity the Sawdust is, until you don’t have it anymore."
In addition to the Sawdust, Laguna Art-A-Fair is returning at 777 Laguna Canyon Road; and just across the street, the granddaddies of them all, the Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters, are getting ready for their big summer shows too.
So far, preparations behind the scenes and on the grounds are going smoothly, and the hope is, after the state officially reopens on June 15, things might go back to the way they looked in 2019.
But there is still doubt and uncertainty about this pesky and deadly coronavirus bug.
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