The beauty
and vibrancy of Sedona
has inspired artistic expression for an estimated 5,000 years—from petroglyphs
and pictographs in the cave dwellings of its earliest inhabitants to traditional
and emerging mediums in the galleries, museums and studios of today’s artists
and craftspeople. Whatever style grabs you, you’ll have no trouble finding it
in Sedona. In fact, art in Sedona is so prolific you may become overwhelmed by all
the choices, but this guide to approaching Sedona’s artworld will help you discover
and take home that perfect piece.
First, walk
off the intimidation. Put on some comfortable shoes and get a sense of what’s
out there using Sedona Art
Walk Maps. These interactive and downloadable maps detail where to
find the more than 80 galleries
in West Sedona, Uptown Sedona and Gallery Row—identifying walkable clusters of
galleries and not-to-be-missed outliers. Public transportation stops are
plotted as well as history placards to make your journey both easy and
educational. Along the way, enjoy many public art
installations like the library’s 10-feet-tall bronze sculpture of the city’s
namesake, Sedona Schnebly, by Susan Kliewer.
Sedona may
have gotten its name from a homesteader from Missouri, but much of the credit
for its birth as an art community goes to Abe Miller. A frequent visitor to the
area, this Nevada businessman created Tlaquepaque
Village in the early 1970s as a communal gathering place for
artisans attracted to the natural beauty, ethereal light and spiritual energy
of Sedona. The collective approach worked. Today, the old-Mexico inspired
Tlaquepaque bustles with more than 40 galleries and shops. Meanwhile artists
and purveyors also grouped in uptown and west Sedona to form pockets of
creativity.
During your extended
tour through town, talk to people. Ask gallery reps about a certain piece (its
medium, its story) or about a particular artist (where she comes from, what’s
his background). In doing so, you’ll give them an opportunity to share their
knowledge, and you’ll break the ice—making a potential purchase even easier.
Outside the galleries, ask locals what they know about the Sedona art scene.
You may just discover an emerging talent poised to become the next hot
commodity.
Consider
kicking off your exploration with a Sedona
Gallery Association’s First
Fridays event. These evening receptions occur, you got it, on the
first Friday of every month and offer galleries, artists, collectors,
connoisseurs and curious newcomers an opportunity to mingle while enjoying
tasty refreshments amid tantalizing art.
Second, have
a plan. Think about the spaces in your home that are screaming for attention
and know how much you’re willing to pay to satisfy the voids. Is it a wall? Make
it shine with an original painting from one of the many fine art galleries like
Goldstein Gallery
or with renowned photography at Greg Lawson Art
Gallery. Warm it up with a Navajo textile from the Turquoise
Tortoise, a Bryant Nagel Gallery or perhaps a wall hanging from Quilts Ltd Gallery.
Is it on a shelf? Get your party conversation started with an Apache basket or Hopi
kachina from Kachina House,
handcrafted pottery, a sculpture
from Rowe Fine Art
Gallery, a wood carving or glass
art—make your own in a class at The Melting Point.
The options are endless. Is it a space on the floor? Rugs are both functional
and works of art. See for yourself at Azadi Fine Rugs.
Do you need a splash of art outside? Elegant wind chimes, fabricated metal art
and whimsical creations make a lively addition to every garden. Or, maybe the
area that needs the most attention is yourself. Jewelry
is, after all, art for the body.
Third, know
your tastes but don’t always order from the same menu. Predictability is
boring. A designer once told me, “Don’t worry about whether it ‘goes,’ buy what
you like, and everything will come together.” So, if you’re into modern art,
you’ll obviously want to visit Gallery of
Modern Masters, but don’t skip the galleries that appear to show more classical realism
because their diversity will surprise you—the collections in Sedona galleries
are as expansive as the shades in its sunsets.
Finally,
just take the leap and have fun doing it. Purchasing a one-of-a-kind artwork is
an investment you won’t regret. If it’s too large to tote, shipping is always
an option. If it’s slightly beyond your budget, ask about discounts or payment
plans. Whether you’re a serious art collector, a seasoned connoisseur on a
budget or simply someone who likes to take home something indigenous and
handcrafted, enjoy exploring the creative spirit of the talented few. But,
leave time to venture beyond the shops and galleries,
because, around Sedona, there are many amazing things to do and see, including
natural marvels and ancient cultural sites.
So, as you stand
before a smooth, sandstone panel at the Palatki,
the Honanki
or the V
Bar V heritage sites, conjure up a story behind the more than 1,000
mysterious petroglyphs carved into the rocks. Imagine a Sinagua hunter mapping
out locations where prey was sighted; a Yavapai botanist documenting the discoveries
of edible plants; an Apache astrologist recording the celestial passage of time;
a Hopi healer advertising her services on an ancient billboard; or, simply someone
marking their territory, like prehistoric graffiti, long before paints were
created. Whoever the artists were, you can almost hear the chink-chink-chink of
a sharp-edged limestone rock chiseling away to create images that would endure
for centuries to come.
This is what
art does. It ignites our imagination. It elicits an emotional response. It stimulates.
It endures. But, it’s no wonder that this area, which many call the
most beautiful place on Earth, has been inspiring art for thousands
of years. So, add to, or start, your art collection with a special piece from Sedona
that will endure not only in your life but also in the lives of those who
follow.
Surround
yourself with the lasting beauty of Sedona by taking home art that was
inspired and created there. Plan your art exploration today.
Link the published article here.
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