Riverhead - Don Duga, the animator of legendary Rankin/Bass Christmas classics like "Frosty the Snowman," "The Year Without a Santa Claus," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," and full-length features like "The Last Unicorn" (starring Mia Farrow and Jeff Bridges), will be at the East End Arts Council's Holiday Market, 133 East Main Street in Riverhead, to give an animation demonstration for children on Saturday, December 12 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Duga will demonstrate how he draws some of the world's most beloved characters, and he will draw sketches of children present onto holiday cards that you can keep. The event is free and open to the public.

Duga has been at the forefront of American animation for more than 40 years, having worked with some of the most prestigious animation studios in the world. He is a versatile animator, director and producer. His experience ranges from work with UPA and Rankin/Bass Studios to commercials, "Sesame Street" and feature films. Duga has storyboarded such classic characters as Mr. Magoo and Underdog, and has worked on animated features such as the "Mad Monster Party" and "Day Dreamer." As a storyboard artist at Rankin/Bass Studios, Duga specialized in laying out the essential framework for the film projects. From 1960 to 1970 Duga worked animating commercials for various national companies.

A relationship with Hostess Foods proved to be a large success for Duga, where he designed and brought to life such memorable characters as Twinkie the Kid, Captain Cupcake, King Ding Dong, and Fruit Pie the Magician. Polestar Films and Associated Arts, a company Duga co-founded along with animator Irra Verbitsky, has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Carnegie Medal for Best Children's Film of the Year and the Asifa East Award for their work on "Owen," which was narrated by Sarah Jessica Parker.

Duga, a resident of Riverhead, is passionate about sharing his time, talent and experience with local children through demonstrations and classes, and he has exhibited his drawings in many area businesses. He has taught animation workshops at the EEAC School of the Arts using his unique 'lunchbox' technique. Duga is beloved by the local arts community.

For more information, call the Arts Council at 631-727-0900, or visit www.eastendarts.org.

East End Arts Council, established in 1972, is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization recognized by the IRS and the NYS Bureau of Charities. Proceeds of all events, sales, classes, donations and memberships benefit their mission of bringing the arts to everyone and inspiring our communities through service, advocacy and education.