Show Preview | Celebration of Fine Art

Scottsdale, AZ, January 12-March 24

Artists Mac Stevenson and Heidi Rosner in their working studios.

This story was featured in the February 2013 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Order the Southwest Art February 2013 print edition, or download the Southwest Art February 2013 issue now…Or just subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss a story!

Artists from around the country converge on Scottsdale this month for the 23rd annual Celebration of Fine Art. The unique event takes place in 40,000 square feet of tent space at Hayden Road and Loop 101, where 100 artists set up working studios. From January 12 to March 24, visitors can watch artists in action, view their processes over a period of time, and talk to them about their art and how  it develops.

“We have painters painting and sculptors working in clay,” says show co-owner  Susan Morrow Potje. “You can watch Whitney Peckman carving into gourds. Out in the sculpture garden, Joe Woodford sets up a big kiln in which he can fire 6-foot sculptures.”

Potje says that this show is different than others because of the way the artists and visitors interact. “We’ll go to clients’ houses and see the artwork in their homes, and they have stories about each piece,” she says. “It takes down the barriers that people feel who aren’t as familiar with art. That creates an experience that’s invigorating and educational at the same time,” Potje explains. “It’s different than purchasing a piece of work from someone you have no  connection with.”

Another thing Potje says she’s noticed in recent years is collaboration between artists. Because they are working side by side for many weeks, artists are creating joint artworks that would be unlikely to happen outside of the Celebration of Fine Art.

This year’s roster of artists includes painters, sculptors, ceramists, and jewelers from as far away as Canada, New Jersey, and Oregon alongside Arizona- and New Mexico-based artists. Among the participants are Aaron Bushnell, Jenny Foster, Martha Pettigrew, Curt Mattson, and Victor Martinez. —Laura Rintala

contact information
480.443.7695
www.celebrateart.com

Featured in the February 2013 issue of Southwest Art magazine–click below to purchase:
Southwest Art magazine February 2013 digital download
Southwest Art magazine February 2013 print edition
Or subscribe to Southwest Art magazine and never miss a story!