It’s a family affair

CHERRIL DOTY

“The Sawdust is like family.” I’ve heard this phrase many times over

the years. Marriages, divorces, births, deaths -- the Sawdust

Festival has them all. Relationships that come and go, bickering,

caring, supportive help in trying times -- they are all here as well.

There are joyful beginnings and broken hearts, friendships, laughter,

tears, support and caring concern for each other. The artists and

artisans form strong bonds that go beyond the nine weeks of the show

and extend out into the larger community.

In many cases, the Sawdust is not just “like” family; among the

group of 202 artists, it IS family.

Artisan Anne Gunderson’s watercolorist daughter, Sandy, once

played on the grounds. Sandy married Drew Weir who crafts bronze

hardware and is currently a board member. Sandy and Drew now have two

children of their own. Olivia Batchelder and daughter Erica now both

work in silk in very different, very beautiful ways. Painters Anja

and Bonnie Reich are another mother-daughter duo exhibiting for many

years. Denise Ford is a painter and ceramist whose daughter, Nicole,

works in hand blown and sculptured glass and is married to Jason

McQuaid, another glass blower. They have two children, Aizen and

Autumn.

Bob Bonn’s father, Fred, for years exhibited in the show. I

remember him for his colorful paintings of trains. Bob also paints in

bright, festive colors. Bob’s uncle, Scott McCauley, is part of the

entertainment scheduled this summer. He plays with the Mack Daddy

Trio, a rock and roll band. Vanessa Rothe is a painter whose father,

Detlev Rothe, was one of the founding artists of the Sawdust

Festival. Kimberly Corey-Chun, a new artist this year who makes

wonderful marionettes, is the daughter of artists-on-leave Barbara

and George Corey. Photographer Kenneth Rosenberg and woodblock

printmaker Richard Rosenberg are father and son artists.

Another family is the Youngsteads. John is the Sawdust Controller,

wife Ket makes handmade clothing, and son Scott manages the Coca Cola

booth. Jeweler Nikki Grant is a long-time artist whose husband Jay

started the Sales Booth for the benefit of all the artists. Patti

Klingenmeier of Patti’s People is married to head of security, Tom

Klingenmeier. Taffy Eagle, painter John Eagle’s wife, is one of the

summer’s entertainers. Exes Chris and Joe Krach amicably share one

space to show their prints and ceramics. Daughter Krista is director

of the Children’s Booth.

Some couples share booth space; others join two together; others

are separated but near.

Mary and Spence Hurlbut share two joined booth spaces to show her

stained glass pieces and his brass sculptures. I expect someday to

see talented daughter Brianna exhibiting right along with them.

Mary’s sister and Spence’s father help them out in the booth, along

with Brianna and other family members and friends. Bonnie and Paul

Proppe both work with leather, so joining their spaces works well for

them.

Metal Sculptors Dion and Ruth Ash Wright have been with the

Sawdust Festival since its inception 38 years ago when it cost a mere

quarter to get in. Mixed media artist Cathy Hallinan has recently

joined her painter husband Michael in displaying her art for sale at

the Sawdust. They join other Sawdust artist/couples Lupe and Richard

Blanton, Patricia and Ed Chatlin, Arlyth and John Atkinson, and

ceramists Pattie and Eddie Kaplan.

Troy Poeschl is a painter and artist in wood whose wife Sian is an

artist working in glass. Troy, as well as building his and Sian’s

booths, built several other artists’ booths. Sian is also the city’s

arts coordinator. Painter Pam Otto and husband photographer Walt Otto

are schoolteachers and artists who exhibit together each summer.

Photographer David Searle’s racy images are in the booth adjoining

wife Sandra’s Heirloom Clothing.

Husbands and wives and children and friends too numerous to list

here can be found working for the many artists whose booths line the

paths through the eucalyptus trees:

One extended family that works in support of the artist is that of

glass blower Bruce Freund. Bruce’s mother, Boe, sells for Bruce,

while her husband Hank comes along to help out. Mother-in-law Darlene

works three days in his booth. Son Justin helps out with

glass-blowing demos. Wife Liz is an artist in her own right -- a

photographer who has also been in the show in the past.

Jennifer Tye, who works in the administration office and is staff

manager of the summer’s entertainment, also works in boyfriend Drake

Sawyer’s booth selling his jewelry. Painter Tracey Moscaritolo’s

sister, Gerri, is another family member who is invaluable in managing

a booth for the artist. Fred Sattler, who also works closely with

wife Jan to protect our tide pools, has faithfully manned arts

commissioner and artist Jan’s booth for the past two years.

Perhaps in the future today’s children and grandchildren of the

artists of the Sawdust Festival will continue the family tradition of

the Sawdust Festival. Sophie, Autumn, Natasha, Aria, Justin and

Brianna may have their own pot luck dinners on the grounds near their

booths. And when Media Relations Director Rebecca Meekma’s baby

arrives on Aug. 18 the entire greater family of Sawdust will

celebrate the occasion and the new baby will be, as is cherubic

daughter Isabelle, like family.

* CHERRIL DOTY is a creative life coach and artist. You can reach

her by e-mail at [email protected] or by calling (949) 251-3883