Now that the weather is finally cooling down, let the outdoor festivals begin. Sedona’s Red Rock mountains are the perfect backdrop for the 21st Annual Sedona Arts Festival. The festival will be ongoing from Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9 at Sedona Red Rock High School.
The Sedona Arts Festival benefits the scholarship and grant programs of the arts within the area. This festival alone has already awarded approximately $300,000 to graduating seniors and art organizations within the greater Sedona area. The Sedona Arts Festival works very diligently in supporting the importance of art education around Sedona.
Nearly 300 artists and craftspeople applied to showcase their pieces; 145 talented artists and craftspeople where handpicked to attend the Sedona Arts Festival. Sixty-seven of the featured artists and craftspeople are from all over the valley and state of Arizona. The festival is pleased to welcome back two-time Best of Show winners Donna Tousley (ceramics) of Rio Rico and Bill Colligen (gourd vessels) of Chino Valley. The festival also welcomes back six Best of Show winners from 2010.
Pine Needle Art by Jenny Kerr, Phoenix
There are 11 different artistic areas to view and shop from (ceramics, drawing, fiber art, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, sculpture, and wood). The Sedona Arts Festival has plenty of activities that everyone will enjoy. Including a KidZone where the kids can create their own artwork, locally made eats in the Gourmet Gallery, and smART shopper. “This truly is not your typical arts festival,” Executive Director Lori Reinhart said about the October festival.
Interested in getting the most out of your Sedona Arts Festival experience? Purchase the smART shopper package. This package is one of the best ways in helping raise awareness for the scholarship and grant program. This package includes admission to the festival; Saturday preview/shop the artists before opening to the public, $50 in art dollars, $15 food dollars, and many other perks.
Advanced tickets are available for $8 online. Tickets are $9 and $10 at the gate; children 12 and under are free. For more information, visit www.sedonaartsfestival.org.
