Artists at W FRESH • ARTS
Celebration of Fine Art returns with high ambitions
A By Alex Gallagher
fter seeing record sales of art last year, the Celebration of Fine Art has returned for its 32nd year with high energy and hopes for continued success. Located off of Loop 101 and Hayden Road, 40,000 square feet of tents comprise home to 100 artists who have covered just about every inch of wall space with art and converted their slice of the space into their own studios where guests and buyers can get an inside look into the artist’s creative process. “It’s different than a gallery setting where we would put the art in the gallery and be void of the clients,” says Kirk Randle, one of the few artists who has displayed at every Celebration of Fine Art over the past three decades. “I have developed relationships and a client base over 32 years of doing this, and that’s how this has come together.” While those who have been with the celebration since its inception admit it was a crazy idea at first, it has turned into an event that artists circle on their calendars every year. “I have been involved since the beginning, and back then everyone thought it was a crazy idea to put a tent in the middle of the desert and put artists and collectors together,” says Susan Morrow Potje, the show director of the Celebration of Fine Art and daughter of the show’s founder, Tom Morrow. “But it’s turned into an amazing experience where people can stand at the elbow of the artists while they’re creating their work,” she says. Although the show has remained steady in its space size, Potje has noticed a demand
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Surrounded by her paintings, Beth Zink works at her easel at the end of one hall at the Celebration of Fine Art 2022, which began its run recently and will continue through March 27. It’s as much an educational experience as it is a chance to see some of the Valley’s most talented artists. (Photos by David Minton)
for larger pieces in the years she has been involved. “We haven’t grown in size as we have stayed at 40,000 square feet of exhibit space and 100 artists, but what’s grown over the years has been the quality of art in every aspect,” Potje says. “It used to be really simple where each artist had two 8-foot-by-12-foot walls. … We learned over time that display is important, and the size of paintings has substantially grown as bigger homes were built here.” “A lot of these artists sell almost as much art as they create in a year at this show,” Potje says. “It’s a great choice for artists to be here financially. The weather is also great, and there’s such a sense of community. A lot of our
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artists have compared this to art camp only with the public there to buy and support it.” Because of this, the artists are able to translate their enthusiasm to potential buyers and give a sneak peek into their creative process — which also happens to be a great sales tool. “My biggest selling tool is sitting there painting while people watch me do what I do,” Randle said. “That makes it personal, as people can see the person creating the art.” Not only has this technique attracted
