Elizabeth Exline 2020-09-03 07:04:59
Some cities rise to greatness because of industry. Others for natural beauty. And still others for their ability to turn those qualities into artistic inspiration. Discover five such masterpieces across Arizona. SEDONA Nestled alongside Sedona’s Oak Creek, Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village is a Spanish Colonial-style complex where 19 galleries offer everything from photography and fine art to sculptures, textiles and jewelry. The Sedona Artist Market is equally expansive, with works ranging from quirky objets d’art to striking photography to handmade baskets. The Fine Art Gallery at Sedona Arts Center takes a more focused approach: It boasts the city’s largest inventory of local artwork. Of course, you don’t need to visit only galleries to appreciate Sedona’s artistic spirit. Visit walksedona.com/publicart to download a walking tour of public artworks. JEROME Once a thriving copper-mining town, Jerome has reinvented itself as an artists’ enclave. See what’s on display during the monthly Jerome Art Walk, when galleries stay open late, wine flows and musicians jam up and down the streets. Stop by the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery during the Art Walk (when the gallery opens each new show) or any time to chat with local artists and browse. And be sure to also visit the acclaimed Pura Vida Gallery, which offers wearable and garden art, home décor and blown glass by more than 120 different artists. TUBAC Located just 20 miles away from the U.S.-Mexico border, Tubac has a long history and an artistic soul. Explore both at La Entrada de Tubac, where galleries specialize in contemporary pieces and handcrafted home décor. Nearby, Tubac Art and Gifts beckons with original paintings, prints and handicrafts. La Paloma de Tubac, meanwhile, focuses on Latin American ceramics, textiles and outdoor furnishings. Bringing it all together is the Tubac Festival of the Arts, an annual event that draws 200 visiting artists who present paintings, sculpture, mixed media works and jewelry. BISBEE Like Jerome, Bisbee laid its mining mantle to rest only to flourish as an artistic community. The city offers up its historic architecture as inspiration for the annual Bisbee Plein Air Festival, when artists set up easels around town to paint. The festival is affiliated with Bisbee’s Central School Project, a nonprofit arts center that presents multiple exhibitions each year. Bisbee is also home to the notable 55 Main Gallery, which features contemporary artworks. PATAGONIA Tucked into Southeast Arizona, Patagonia’s riparian landscape offers an inspiring backdrop to the annual Patagonia Fall Festival, when more than 125 artisans showcase photography, paintings and handcrafted goods. Creative Spirit Artists Gallery offers a similarly diverse inventory of paintings, quilts and leather goods. For the ultimate souvenir, however, stop by High Spirits Flutes, where each hand-finished flute is fashioned from a single piece of wood. Keep the flute as a functioning instrument or a work of art. OFF THE BEATEN PATH Combining authenticity and art, the Hopi Arts Trail is a collection of galleries and artists across the Hopi mesas approximately 150 miles outside Flagstaff. The 12 Hopi villages offer a glimpse into how things have been done for generations, with Katsina carvings, pottery, woven goods and jewelry all for sale. Visitors can download a map and explore on their own, but certified guides offer greater access to workshops and artists. hopiartstrail.com
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