Celebration of Fine Art

If you live around Scottsdale or have passed through recently, you may have noticed the giant white tents standing alongside Loop 101 and Hayden Road.  For ten weeks at the beginning of every year as many as 100 of the finest artists from across the country gather in this enormous arena to display their work.  Many of the artists create new work whilst visitors, art lovers and art collectors meander the studios taking in spectacular art in various forms from paintings to sculptures, and can chat with the artists and see how their work is created.

Artwork for sale is set out in each of the artist's allotted studio space.

This is art too, right?

Acrylic painter Bruce Marion from Chandler, AZ and Lee Wright's glass art.

Acrylic painter Jan Griggs from Scottsdale, AZ

Meandering through the corridors is a feast for the eyes.

Honored to pose with Stuart Yankell from Pensylvania. His majestic oil and acrylic paintings hang dominantly around his space. Can you find the white horse in his painting behind us? A revelation that even Stuart had been unaware of until a visitor pointed it out to him!

The event has been taking place annually for 27 years here in Scottsdale.  This year dedicated to the founder, Tom Morrow, who started the Celebration of Fine Art to connect people, bringing artists and those who love art together in one place.  Today his daughter, Susan and her husband Jake Potje continue the vision that over the years has become a nation wide renowned celebration of people and their art.

In addition to paints, the myriad of mediums used by the artists showcased here with which they bring to life their imagination ranges from steel, stone, glass, gemstones, and wood to name but a few.  We watched Lee Wright arrange miniature fragments of broken glass in a beautiful structured and colorful design.  Eventually this design goes through a baking process, and creates an amazing filigree style decorative plate.  You can watch many of the artists working on their next masterpiece as you stroll around.

Admiring all this beauty and creativity is thirsty work.  Thankfully, you can take a break at the Celebration Cafe located at the heart of the exhibition with both indoor and outdoor seating.  Enjoy a glass of wine with a delicious artfully named salad or sandwich, for example the Da Vinci sandwich - grilled roast beef, blue cheese and grilled onions!  

The exhibition is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm through until March 26th 2017.  If you don't make it this year, be sure to mark your calendar for next year.   Visit Celebration of Fine Art at celebrateart.com for further information, and to explore the artists that are featured.

Even if you're not an art collector, or ready to purchase a work of art at this time, it's well worth a visit simply to enjoy so much creativity and beauty in one place, and meet an abundance of talented people who are more than willing to talk with visitors about their work. You may just find yourself investing in what becomes your very own family heirloom!

Have a wonderful week
Karen xox