Thanks for all the activities

SUZIE HARRISON

Just the meaning of Thanksgiving makes it one of my favorite

holidays. I am thankful for my life and experiences, my loving

family, loyal friends, my community that I adore and my job, which

impassions me.

THE WORK OF CHUCK JONES

I would encourage art enthusiasts to check out “The Art and

Entertainment of Chuck Jones.” The exhibit of obscure works including

Jones’ oils, watercolors, drawings and sketches will be at Laguna

College of Art and Design with a lecture and reception Saturday.

I had the pleasure of speaking to his widow Marion Jones and his

grandson Craig Kausen.

“Chuck was at the top of the industry and he never would let

himself stop and say I’ve gotten there, I’m good enough,” Kausen

said. “He never wanted to stop. He loved it and would create new

things up until the two weeks before he died.”

Kausen said the key for Jones was to enjoy what he was doing, and

he instilled that in his students.

“I think the college here is the perfect place to really debut

this combination of Chuck’s fine art and his animation,” Kausen said.

“To have it start where Chuck dedicated his attention to a school the

last six or seven years of his life ... it’s a perfect marriage of

Chuck’s legacy and the college’s future.”

Laguna College of Art and Design, 2222 Laguna Canyon Road. For

information, call (949) 376-6000.

WINTER FANTASY WELCOMES COMMUNITY

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and the official

christening of the holiday season with the opening of the Sawdust Art

Festival’s 14th annual Winter Fantasy Saturday.

The grounds are magical, transformed into a holiday haven with

lights, trees and decorations that exude the season.

I am thrilled to be one of the judges to vote for the best

decorated artist’s booth and community tree. Saturday is “Community

Day” held at the Town Square with the lighting of the community

Christmas tree at 5 p.m. and other holiday entertainment. Lagunans

are admitted free from 3 to 7 p.m. for the event.

The snowfield is a fantastic chance for children to romp. The

bummer is only youth get the privilege of playing in the five tons of

snow.

Of course, the best part of Winter Fantasy is shopping and seeing

all the original works by the artists, which represent a diverse

range of art media. This year will feature 173 artists, more than

ever before.

Sawdust Winter Fantasy, 935 Laguna Canyon Road, will be from 10

a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 4 and 5 and Dec. 11 and 12.

Adult admission is $4.50 or $5.50 for unlimited access. Entry is $2

for children 6 to 12 and free for children 5 and younger. For

information, call (949) 494-3030 or go to https://www.sawdustart

festival.org.

FESTIVAL OF MOSAICS COMPLETED

It’s a wrap officially for “Memento,” the Festival of Mosaics

project designed by artist Gerard Stripling at Lang Park Community

Center courtyard. After months of planning, a call for materials and

community participation, the five stunning murals are completed and

look phenomenal.

Memento’s concept to encourage individuals to help create a

permanent piece of public art was a one. I was instantly smitten and

couldn’t get enough. It was exciting to help design and install the

area I was working on, aptly dubbed the kitchen by arts commissioner

Mike Tauber because of its yellow theme, bright tiles and kitchen

design.

It was fun to play artist and experience camaraderie, working side

by side. I can’t wait to admire the project again and again.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at (949) 494-4321 or

suzie.harrison@latimes.com.