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Sonoran Arts League cosponsors artisan market

BY ALEX GALLAGHER Progress Staff Writer

The Sonoran Arts League and The Holland Center have partnered up for the �irst time ever to provide a two-day artisan market in Scottsdale Dec. 3-4. The market will offer handmade creations by 75 artists, most of whom are league members. “This is something we haven’t done before and we’re looking forward to creating a new indoor market opportunity for vendors in December,” said league Executive Director Kait Huble. The Holland Center has historically held its Sage Art Market in spring but last year, with the already struggling arts community dealt a large blow by the pandemic, artists begged for a second event to sell their works. “The arts economy took a big hit during 2020, like most industries did,” said Huble. “Unfortunately, artists in Arizona had not felt strong support from the community for many years pre-pandemic. We’re working to build that back up.”

One of the big ways that is being built up is through a budding effort to promote collaboration among nonpro�its. “We’re all thinking of ways that we can come together and pull our different missions together to serve our community,” said Jennifer Rosvall, executive director of the Holland Center. Huble wants to break down the stereotype that art organizations are dif�icult to work with. “Arts organizations in the state don’t always have the best reputation for collaboration and we’re working to change that because we’re stronger together and we would rather collaborate than compete,” Huble said.

With the partnership forged, Rosvall believes this event will serve as a unique opportunity for artists to sell their crafts.

“This is the opportunity for artists who may not do the large shows to be able to come and share their art with our community,” she said. Of course, customers will have a good opportunity to purchase gifts from local artists and support the local arts economy. “With the issues in the supply chain, it’s a great year to support local artists and shop locally because those goods are not stuck at a port,” Huble said. With offerings that include ornaments, jewelry with natural stones, glass art, �iber art, watercolor and acrylic paintings, the market gives people an opportunity to score some original handmade artwork that won’t break the bank, as most items will be listed below $300.

“The great thing about the arts world is that price and value are two completely different things so you don’t have to necessarily spend a great deal of money to have something of real true value to you,” said Huble. Huble also believes that because customers can meet the artists who made the works and hear their stories, they will have a deeper connection with the work. “With everything being local and handmade, it makes for a much more treasured trinket, sentiment or gift,” Huble said. “Understanding the story makes you so much more emotionally invested with a product or a piece of work.” The same can be said for the artists, as the exchange is mutually bene�icial for them.

“I love the energy of when the artists are engaging with the community and when customers get excited about the work that they do, that’s a big personal win,” Huble said. “The artists put so much of their heart and soul into their work and I appreciate the validation they feel when the community gets excited and comes out.” Consequently, this event will remind the public of the growing community of artists within the Sonoran Arts League. “Our hope is to show the general public here are some hidden gems if you haven’t found them already,” said Rosvall. “This builds a community amongst the artists themselves and they enjoy meeting each other and they will sometimes put together small shows together.” “This is exciting in the fact that this is the �irst year of the event and the �irst year of the collaboration,” said Huble. “The Holland Center has a beautiful venue and we are so excited to be able to host the event with them.”

From Dec. 3 to Dec. 4, guests will have a unique opportunity to support local artists from the Sonoran Arts League by purchasing unique accessories and art at the Holland Center. (Special to the Progress )