Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau
Monday, July 13, 2015
SEDONA, Ariz. (July 10, 2015)––One of the oldest pillars of society that captivates the spirit and personality of Sedona is its vibrant arts community. No matter the aesthetic or medium, art finds itself in every realm of Sedona.
Sedona’s early art roots were established in 1958, when Egyptian sculptor Nassan Gobran and fellow artists established “Canyon Kiva,” what is today the Sedona Arts Center. This transformed into the community center of local artists and visionaries relishing in the culture of the area.
In 1965, a group of western artists settled in the city. Joe Beeler, George Phippen, Charlie Dye and friends gathered around a local saloon to form the original Cowboy Artists of America. The institution was established as a way to perpetuate the memory of the Old West and authentically represent the lives in the region, which they uphold to this very day.
Though the rich and diverse arts community may be considered fairly new in terms of age, the ancient Native American cliff dwellers that called Sedona home created some of the most beautiful ruins and petroglyphs that date back thousands of years. These petroglyphs can be seen in some of Sedona’s most scenic hikes, through the Palatki, Honanki and V-Bar-V Heritage sites. These Native American traditions have been kept alive with a strong surrounding presence of Hopi, Navajo, Yavapai and Apache tribes. Today, the vibrant arts and culture scene boasts more than 200 local artists who create one-of-a-kind, handcrafted pieces. Visitors can enjoy creations from local and national artists, spanning jewelry adorned in turquoise and onyx, hand-woven rugs, bronze sculptures, still-life paintings and much more.
Today, arts and culture permeates every aspect of life. Visitors and guests can explore the more than 80 galleries of traditional and contemporary art, visit the Sedona Gallery Association’s popular First Friday Art Walk to enjoy receptions and openings and even frequent one of the city’s many seasonal annual art events. This fall, three events will delight and inspire visitors and residents seeking arts and culture in Sedona.
42nd Annual Fiesta de Tlaquepaque
The annual Fiesta de Tlaquepaque event is a celebration of Mexican Independence Day, held on Saturday, September 12, 2015. Continuing a long tradition of food, music, dancing and entertainment for all, this year’s festival promises arts and crafts exhibits that give insight into the traditional and present artistry of Mexico.
Sedona Arts Festival
The Sedona Arts Festival will be held October 10-11, 2015, on the campus of Sedona Red Rock High School. A favorite in the Southwest, the festival showcases nearly 130 juried artists, an international guest artist, a “gourmet gallery,” and plenty of activities for family members of all ages to enjoy. This festival is the primary fundraiser for arts education in Sedona and to date has raised more than $300,000 in scholarship and education funding.
Sedona Plein Air Festival
From October 18-25, 2015, award-winning artists are invited to Sedona to participate in the 10th annual Sedona Plein Air Festival. Plein Air artists paint outdoors, standing the tests of Mother Nature and physical stamina to capture the ever-changing landscapes of the areas around them. With Sedona as the perfect backdrop, guests and artists will have an endless array of activities including exhibitions, galleries, events and more.
