Festival of Children Foundation Will Debut Carousel Horse Art Exhibit at South Coast Plaza in September 2017

Famed Marine Life Artist and Children’s Environmental Education Advocate Wyland Joins as Featured Celebrity Artist

 

COSTA MESA, Calif. (July 28, 2017)  – The carousel, long the symbol of carefree childhood, has taken on new meaning as the national, non-profit Festival of Children Foundation (FOCF) prepares to launch its first Carousel Horse Art Exhibit in September 2017 at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, California. The exhibit will feature several inspiring and imaginatively decorated carousel horses designed by both amateur and professional artists, including famed marine life artist Wyland. The horses will be on public display throughout South Coast Plaza for the entire month in conjunction with the Foundation’s annual Festival of Children program. Funds raised from corporate sponsorships, which are still available and now include CHOC Children’s, City National Bank, Experian, Lennar Homes, Mesa Water District, Mitsubishi Electric, Office Solutions, and South Coast Plaza, will help support the Festival of Children program. Now in its 16th year, the high-impact, month-long event offers 75 children’s charities a free opportunity to educate the community about the important work they are doing, conduct donor outreach, recruit volunteers, and seek collaborative opportunities with like-minded organizations and individuals. The event also features free, family-friendly activities and entertainment for the community, such as live music and dance performances, arts and crafts, animal shows, and more.

 

“The carousel is at the heart of Festival of Children Foundation, symbolizing how our nearly 500 member charities come together and move in the same direction to support our country’s children,” said Sandy Segerstrom Daniels. “Our new Carousel Horse Art Exhibit is a fun and creative way to raise funds for the annual Festival of Children program at South Coast Plaza, while also shining a light on the tremendous work of the charities in our network. We are indebted to the sponsors and artists, including longtime friend of Festival of Children Foundation, Wyland, for bringing this vision to fruition.”

 

“Children’s charities can do so much more by working together,” said Wyland, whose own Orange County-based non-profit foundation has served over one million children since 1993. “It’s a privilege to support the Festival of Children and their efforts to elevate the great work of charities right here in Orange County. I hope everyone can visit the Carousel Horse Art Exhibit in September and share this inspiration with the people they love.”

 

Made of fiberglass, each carousel horse stands 34 inches tall and 34 inches wide, and is attached to a two-foot tall, by three-foot wide, by three-foot deep base. Sponsors either recruit their own artists or are matched with an artist identified by FOCF. Transforming the blank horses into magical works of art typically spans four to six weeks from design to completion. The horses will debut at the Festival of Children’s Opening Night Party at South Coast Plaza on Wednesday, August 30. At the close of the exhibit, sponsors can choose to donate the horses to FOCF, which will auction them to the public to raise additional funds for the program. The Carousel Horse Art Exhibit will become a permanent element of the Festival of Children event. For more information about the Carousel Horse Art Exhibit or the Festival of Children program, please contact Cassady Taylor at the Festival of Children Foundation, (714) 438-3205 or ctaylor@festivalofchildrenfoundation.org.

 

About Festival of Children Foundation

Festival of Children Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves to bring together and coordinate the efforts of charities, companies and individuals who actively work to improve the lives of children. Festival of Children Foundation gives a voice, guidance and support. 100% of the administrative costs are covered by designated funding, allowing donations to go further in direct support of programs and services that improve the lives of children. www.festivalofchildren.org

 

Contact: Cassady Taylor
Festival of Children Foundation
(714) 438 – 3205
ctaylor@festivalofchildren.org

 

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