Many visitors will be seeking a cultural experience while in Arizona on their Grand Canyon vacation, and it’s no wonder. This region is home to a diverse culture and as a result, there are abundant opportunities to browse authentic local art.
After all, this is home to Southwest art at its best, and there are many galleries and shops at which visitors will get their fill when it comes to shopping for art and souvenirs or gifts with a local flair during their Grand Canyon vacation.
Here is a sampling to get you started…
SCOTTSDALE
We have to mention Scottsdale first because it’s world-famous for being a center of Western and Native art. Visitors will find numerous galleries and places at which to peruse stunning art in all its forms. In fact, more than 125 galleries, museums and arts events are found in Scottsdale. Head to the Scottsdale Arts District to browse numerous art galleries. Some of Scottsdale’s popular galleries include Antique Center, Art One, Trailside Galleries, Wilde Meyer Galleries, and others. Popular arts events in Scottsdale include Arizona Musicfest, Celebration of Fine Art, and Artfest of Scottsdale. And don’t miss the Scottsdale ArtsWalk every Thursday evening, when more than 100 art galleries open their doors for visitors to get a glimpse of artists’ works. (In nearby Phoenix, a similar event, called First Fridays, is when visitors can tour artists studios on Friday evenings in downtown Phoenix.)
TUCSON
Visitors will especially enjoy 4th Avenue, a historic area that is full of unique shops and galleries. (See http://www.visittucson.org/ for more information)
SEDONA
This beautiful town that has big red rocks jutting out of its landscape is a place many artists choose to live for its ability to inspire. As a result Sedona is a destination that artists and art lovers flock to. Visitors will find numerous galleries featuring art created from local materials. Enjoy browsing a large selection of Southwest art, Navajo, Hopi and Apache art, fine photography, glass art, jewelry and much more. There is something for everyone here, from the sophisticated art lover and art buyer to the first-time buyer who may be on a budget.
FLAGSTAFF
Flagstaff, just 70 miles south of Grand Canyon’s South Rim, has everything visitors to the Grand Canyon will want: outdoor recreation, great shopping, beautiful scenery, including access to two of the state’s most popular scenic drives, home to Northern Arizona University, Snowbowl Resort, the state’s tallest mountain, and more. Art lovers, check out the Artists Gallery, the Museum of Northern Arizona’s gift shop, Winter Sun Trading Company, and Zani for local artistic goods and gifts.
JEROME
This town, which bills itself as America’s largest ghost town, is a small town that talented artists and creative craftspeople call home. To name a few of the notable galleries, check out Jerome Gallery, Pura Vida Gallery and the Good Art Gallery. These is a popular little town for tourists and its arts are one of the main reasons.
BISBEE
Bisbee is located about 80 miles southeast of Tucson, in southern Arizona. This town has a rich mining heritage. In 1880 it was quite the copper, gold and silver mining town. It went from boom to bust in 1950 but has found a way to continue to thrive as a popular tourist town. Many of the building in the original Bisbee (“Old Bisbee”) have been restored. Art enthusiasts check out Art Entr? a studio gallery belonging to artists Katherine Hagstrum, who specializes in monotype, and Alvin Sandler, a painter and sculptor. Belleza Fine Art Gallery is one of the town’s finest galleries.
TUBAC
Known for its artistic influences, Tubac is located on the far southern border of Arizona. The Art Colony of Tubac was established in 1752 as a Spanish fort. Working artists’ studios now surround the grounds that once served as the home for a Spanish military garrison. Tubac remembers its origins at the Tubac Presidio State Historic Park located in the village’s Old Town. In 1948, artist Dale Nichols arrived establishing the Artists School. Since that time, Tubac has become a center for art and history. The first Tubac Festival of the Arts took place in 1960, with the Tubac Center of the Arts opening in 1972.
