Two days. 160 juried artists from 21 states. Sedona’s red rocks. Fall weather. Not a bad way to spend a weekend, or spend some money to improve, enhance or even start your art collection.

The 20th annual Sedona Arts Festival, a juried exhibit and sale, takes place Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 9 and 10 at Sedona Red Rock High School, 995 Upper Red Rock Loop Road in West Sedona.

Nine of last year’s 11 Best of Show winners will be among the 159 artists at the Festival displaying works in ceramics, painting and drawing, jewelry, fiber, metal, sculpture, wood, glass, photography and mixed media.

“Every year, we attract more artists into the mix, which makes the entire experience even better for those who attend,” Reinhart said.  In 2009, 60 percent of the almost 4000 attendees were from outside the Sedona-Verde Valley area.  “The Sedona Arts Festival is a fine arts festival, not an arts and crafts show.  You’re not going to find hanging planters or painted t-shirts unless the artist wove the t-shirt by hand.”  

This year nearly 400 applications underwent the strict jury process.

The Festival is the only fund raising event of the year supporting the Sedona Arts Festival giving programs, which have awarded over $250,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors and grants to arts organizations in greater Sedona.  Changes this year will enable the Festival to allocate even more dollars toward scholarships.  “Many people don’t realize this is the only fundraiser for our giving program,” Reinhart said.   “At a time when funding for the arts and arts education is declining, our mission to support arts education for our children becomes increasingly important.”