La Jolla Art and Wine Festival (LJAWF) is back again this year for its third annual two-day festival showcasing the best of local, regional and international artists on Oct. 1 and 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. One of La Jolla’s most highly anticipated events of the year features something for everyone. More than 100 juried artists, including locals Dottie Stanley, Scott Wright, Shelly Mantier and Essy Ghavameddini, will be presenting their eclectic mix of art ranging from one-of-a-kind shell- and stone-made jewelry to detailed paintings of sea life to a photographic history of San Diego’s sports and entertainment scene. Local breweries and more than 30 regional wineries will be showcasing craft beer and boutique wines for tasting at the festival’s Surfside wine and beer garden. Other activities include Geppetto’s Family Art Center for free children’s activities, a gourmet marketplace and food court, a silent auction with even bigger and better prizes than last year and 14 hours of live music and entertainment — all for a good cause. With tickets at only $10 for adults, $5 for children, seniors and military and free for children under two, “it’s a lot of bang for your buck,” said LJAWF founder and chair Sherry Ahern. Since its launch in 2009, LJAWF has raised more than $40,000 a year for key programs at Bird Rock, La Jolla and Torrey Pines elementary schools, including the arts, music, science, physical education, technology, library and on-site medical care. Ahern said her intent in founding the festival three years ago was to bring art back to La Jolla. “La Jolla has been an artists’ community forever,” she said. In 1894, one of La Jolla’s first citizens, artist Anna Held Heinrich, founded the famed “Green Dragon Colony,” which served as a retreat where artists, writers, novelists and composers created masterpieces in their picturesque seaside studios. “When we would come to La Jolla, we would always see artists painting on easels by the beach,” she said reminiscing about her childhood spent in La Jolla. “I wanted to incorporate that with a fundraiser for schools that so badly need the money.” Ahern said cuts to all three schools this year are more significant than ever. “We owe it to the next generation to preserve these creative outlets and important programs,” said Ahern. “The support from the local community is phenomenal and continues to gain momentum each and every year.” This year, the festival is expected to draw more than 20,000 visitors. “This third year is going to be the best year ever,” Ahern said. She said she attributes the festival’s success to the hard work of volunteers. Featured artist and Torrey Pines Elementary School parent Karen DePodesta, who will be showcasing her abstract acrylic paintings, said the festival means more to her than just a fun time with the kids. “Public schools in La Jolla receive the least amount of funding in all San Diego school districts,” she said. She added that although parents have made it a point to try to retain crucial-but-underfunded areas like art, on-site medical care and physical education, the level at which the programs have been able to get funded vary. “Kids who participate in art do better in school,” she said. “Exposure to the arts — music, art and drama — is something very valuable that we can gift to our children.” For more information about the La Jolla Art and Wine Festival, visit www.ljawf.org or call (858) 454-1699. The festival will take place on Girard Avenue between Pearl and Genter streets.