Show Preview | Celebration of Fine Art

Scottsdale, AZ
January 17-March 29

Richard Hall, Going Green, oil, 40 x 40.

This story was featured in the January 2015 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art January 2015 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story!

On January 17, the 25th annual Celebration of Fine Art show opens in Scottsdale, AZ, with 40,000 square feet of working artists’ studios featuring work in all styles, media, and price points. The show is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. through March 29, and a single $10 pass allows a visitor access to all events that take place during the 10-week run.

Paintings, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, and jewelry from 100 artists are on display. “I think the biggest thing to understand is that the artists who are at this show are represented by the best galleries around the country,” says veteran participating artist Richard Hall. “It would be a mistake to discount this show because it is in a tent.” Show co-owner Susan Morrow Potje agrees. “A lot of people see a tent, and they don’t think high-quality art,” she says, “until they set foot in the door.”

The venue offers collectors and artists a chance to interact with each other in unique ways over several months. This year, in celebration of the 25th anniversary, the show introduces an Art Discovery Series of weekly, one-hour presentations by panels of artists on various subject matter. Collaborations between artists, art commissions, and building relationships are key components of the show. “Being an artist is a very solitary profession,” says Hall. But with this show, he says, “There is real camaraderie. Everyone helps each other.”

One collaboration happening at this year’s show, titled the Rocky Mountain Challenge, began during previous shows with artists challenging each other to create an artwork every day for a month. This year, four artists—Paul Rhymer, Jennifer O’Cualain, Bryce Pettit, and Heidi Rosner—collaborate in a 30-day challenge creating artworks of Rocky Mountain plants and animals. These small pieces are available individually, in complementary sets, and as build-your-own sets in which collectors choose artworks from any or all of the four artists to create one-of-a-kind collections. “People go to these shows because they like to meet the artists and hear their stories,” Rhymer says. “This collaboration takes that a bit further, where people can participate in the art.” —Laura Rintala

contact information
480.443.7695
www.celebrateart.com

Featured in the January 2015 issue of Southwest Art magazine–click below to purchase:
Southwest Art January 2015 print issue or digital download Or subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss a story!