Hello, fellow art festival fans,
Today we are continuing with the series of blog posts dedicated to art festivals in the state of Arizona. My endeavor to introduce you to the world of art happenings resumes with yet another review of the amazing art fest scene in the town of Scottsdale. Keep reading below to learn more.
Why Are There So Many Art Festivals in Scottsdale, AZ?
By now, you must have noticed that Scottsdale, AZ is packed with all sorts of art events. Art festivals play a huge role in the cultural life in the “West’s Most Western Town.” For less than a century, Scottsdale grew from a tiny place with only 2,000 residents to one of the most livable cities in the US.
Besides the rapid business development, arts and culture also played a huge part in the town’s evolution. In one of our previous articles, we spoke about the ArtFest of Scottsdale and a few other happenings.
However, this is not all the vibrant Arizona city has to offer. But why, people ask, are there so many festivals in Scottsdale?
Well, the answer is simple. The city has become the center of the Phoenix metropolitan area, where crowds of locals and tourists flock every day. In addition, the beautiful Arizona landscape and unique nature attract artists from all parts of the US, who come here to practice and demonstrate their creativity.
With that said, let us take a look at some of Scottsdale’s most celebrated art festivals.
Annual Waterfront Fine Art & Wine Festival
The Annual Waterfront Fine Art & Wine Festival is one of the most prominent art events in Scottsdale. It takes place in early February each year and has been around for more than a decade. Thousands of artists and fans from across the world flock to Arizona to attend this amazing festival every winter.
The two-day event has a symbolic entry fee of $5 and is produced by Thunderbird Artists. Parking is entirely free and there is handicap access.
Located in Old Town Scottsdale, the Annual Waterfront Fine Art & Wine Festival lines the local waterfront with superb art formats that entertain the massive attendee crowds. The waterfront setting gives the festival a certain atmosphere of romance and serenity.
At the Annual Waterfront Fine Art & Wine Festival you can enjoy a wide diversity of juried arts. The array of outstanding paintings, sculptures, and jewelry is a true feast for the eyes. Diverse textures, such as glass, copper, stone, metal, bronze, clay, and many more create a deep and touching sense of beauty and refinement.
In addition, you can add to your festival experience by checking out the:
- Musical performances
- Wine tasting sessions
- Chocolate stalls
The Scottsdale Arts Festival
The Scottsdale Arts Festival is another wonderful event worth visiting when you are in Arizona. It recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, so it is a festival with established traditions and a long history.
The festival’s first edition took place on February 15, 1970. It all began as a cooperation between the Arizona Commission on the Arts and the Southwest Arts Conference. The Scottsdale Arts Festival has always aimed to serve as a platform for visual and performing artists from the community and beyond, who wished to showcase their works.
Over the years, the initial concept evolved significantly. Nowadays, the Scottsdale Arts Festival is a destination for lovers of high art and unconventional art experiences. Additionally, it hosts diverse artistic performances and activities, most of which are family-friendly.
The festival also houses unique art installations worth seeing. In addition, you can enjoy the incredible food at the food trucks as well as browse through the offerings of the pop-up boutiques.
The Scottsdale Celebration of Fine Art
Last but not least on today’s list is the Scottsdale Celebration of Fine Arts. Dubbed “One of the West’s Premier Events” by the Arts and Antiques Magazine, the Celebration of Fine Art has united art lovers and artists together for more than 30 years. It is a juried event, where artists can participate based upon invitation.
The goal is to invite creators to share their love of art over 40,000 square feet of working studios. Thus, spectators can observe the creative process and somewhat partake in it. The event is vast, as every year it features 100 emerging and established artists from across the US. In addition, there are workshops and panel discussions as well as other informative sessions.
Here is a video overview of the festival:
The festival itself spans over two weeks. Children under 12 are admitted for free, whereas the regular adult pass costs $10. The military and senior citizens can benefit from ticket discounts. Parking is free.