Glass Lovers Unite!
If you are at all interested in glass art (which is quickly becoming a favorite of mine!), then you need to be sure to check out at least one of the three great glass- or art-focused events taking place in Scottsdale in the next week. These back-to-back events (all of which happen to be within walking distance of one another) provide the perfect opportunities for you to better understand, and experience, glass art.
The [almost] week-long celebration of glass art kicks off with a lecture on world-renowned glass artist Lino Tagliapietra at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) on Wednesday, March 18 at 7:00pm. Art historian and independent curator Susanne K. Frantz will give a comprehensive overview of Tagliapietra’s life and career and will showcase his evolution as artist, designer, craftsperson and educator, as well as his influence on international studio glass. Tickets are $7 for SMoCA and Arizona Glass Alliance Members and $10 for non-members. Click here for more information or call 480-994-ARTS to purchase tickets.
After you are armed with information on one of best-known glass artists of all time, continue to indulge your love of glass with Glass Act: A Festival ArtWalk and Tour on Thursday, March 19. The Glass Act event begins with a private behind-the-scenes tour of the jaw-dropping Dale Chihuly exhibit at Desert Botanical Garden. Total tour time is 1:00 – 7:00pm and tickets are priced at $65 each. The tour will be conducted by Ultimate Art & Cultural Tours and includes transportation to and from the garden, admittance into the garden, and private glass-art receptions at three prominent Scottsdale galleries.
After the private tour, the Glass Act event will continue with a Festival ArtWalk in the Downtown Scottsdale Arts District. This special ArtWalk features exhibits by more than 30 renowned glass artists at participating galleries. There will also be live entertainment and flame working demonstrations along the streets that will add to the festival atmosphere. This part of the Glass Act event is free and runs from 7:00 – 9:00 pm. Click here for a list of participating galleries, artists and demonstrations.
You do not have to attend one part of the Glass Act event to participate in the other but, if you are a true glass lover (or aspire to be one), my recommendation is that you simply cannot miss either.
Segway into the weekend with the 39th Annual Scottsdale Arts Festival, which is consistently ranked as one of the top arts festivals in the country. The festival takes place Friday, March 20 – Sunday, March 22 at the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall and showcases 200 artists selected by jury from a pool of nearly 1,000 applicants. Participating artists come from throughout the United States and Canada and work in all media, from ceramic, glass (your new favorite, right???), jewelry, metals and textiles to painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking and drawing. Visitors have the opportunity to meet and talk to each artist and buy works of art directly from them. Click here for more information about the Scottsdale Arts Festival.
With all of the great glass and art events taking place in Scottsdale in the next week (never mind the fantastic weather we should be experiencing!), there’s no reason to not get out and experience the thriving Scottsdale Arts District. Enjoy!
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