Sedona Chamber Of Commerce and Tourism Bureau is a paid advertiser of Sonoran Living.
Sedona is nature's masterpiece. With its crimson earth, shapely spires, expansive azure skies, and green wooded canyons, visitors and residents alike can relate to the timelessness of this attraction.
As if Sedona's scenic beauty doesn't already satisfy your senses, the city also has a rich art scene with an eclectic past. It began in the early 1930s when two famous sculptors, Robert and Mary Kittredge, found solace in the town's beauty. In the 1950s, surrealist icons Max Ernst and Dorothea Tanning claimed Sedona as a source of inspiration. Famed Egyptian sculptor Nassan Gobran, with a group of other artists, founded what would become the Sedona Arts Center in 1958. In 1965, Contemporary Western artist Joe Beeler along with John Hampton, George Phippen, Frank McCarthy and Charlie Dye founded the prestigious Cowboy Artists of America in the Oak Creek Tavern in Uptown Sedona known today at the Cowboy Club Grille & Spirits. The intrigue of Sedona as a place for creative awakening hasn't stopped. Sedona continues to appeal to the art world, as people come here to open themselves up to their imagination in this incredibly stimulating and unique setting.
How can you experience the arts in Sedona while you're visiting? Your agenda could include some of these highlights:
· Begin your tour of Sedona on foot with the GPS-enabled web map WalkSedona.com. Everywhere you turn, you will be surrounded by natural beauty, which is only amplified by perfectly appointed sculptures. Sedona has nearly 30 public art pieces peppered throughout the city that range in topic from Native American heritage to Sedona's apple farming history. Use the Public Art Map distributed at the Sedona Chamber of Commerce Official Visitor Center at 331 Forest Road and SR 89A to guide you to the various pieces.
· Peruse the numerous galleries throughout West Sedona, Uptown and Gallery Row (from the "Y" down through Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village and up SR 179 including Hozho and Hillside plazas). From Western bronzes, Native American weavings and contemporary jewelry, to woodcarvings, landscape photography and fine art paintings, and much more. By now, you're feeling inspired and moved by all that you're experiencing in this magical city. Let that feeling guide you as you choose an art piece that resonates most with you. Take it home as a memory of your visit that will enrich your life for years to come.
· If it's the beginning of the month, join the festivities at 1st Friday in the Galleries. From 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., members of the Sedona Gallery Association offer a monthly showcase of artists, art events and special exhibits.
You'll need to stay longer to immerse yourself in the full artistic and cultural experience that is Sedona, the Most Beautiful Place on Earth. Check out VisitSedona.com to explore options for lodging, dining, galleries, tours, events and entertainment.
