Things to Do in Scottsdale: 20th Annual Carefree Art and Wine Festival

– Scottsdale Arizona Area Events: 20th Annual Carefree Art and Wine Festival – 

I recently attended another great Art and Wine Festival in Carefree put on by the Thunderbird Artists.  I’ve been attending these events for many years, and saw that the Thunderbird Artists were celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the festival this year. We were blessed with a wonderful, warm Arizona day and I think it brought out a larger turn-out than expected.

The setting for the Art and Wine Festival is the unique Town of Carefree, Arizona. The small town encircles a beautifully updated city center with the focus being on the largest sundial in the western hemisphere.  (And, it works!)  The town shuts down the main streets and allows the artists and vendors to set up their white tents to display their art.

Everything is for sale, and the artists themselves are so cordial and excited to discuss their art, and in many cases explain the methods used to create their pieces. You will find all types of artwork to admire.  One of my favorite artists is Shawn Athari, a contemporary glass artist. I was very much taken with the beautiful “dragonfly” sink for a guest bathroom or powder room.  She also does small dragonflies to just scatter about a table, and I was enthralled with the beautiful and unique plate with the appearance of a silk band (but it’s all glass!)

From there we strolled by a booth where the artist deals in recycled golf clubs that are transformed into metal birds. Note that the bird in front has a body of fairway wood golf club heads, and the tall bird behind has a body consisting of the heads off old irons. Unique, yet attractive and an absolute conversation piece.

And, lest we forget the heritage of this state, I spent some time talking with the artist who sculpts very life-like statues of Native Americans. He uses real fur, leather and feathers to adorn these impressive statues.

From a distance down the road, I couldn’t decide what the beautiful, tall, monolithic sculptures were.  Upon getting closer I realized they were actually fountains (or they could just be displayed as artwork). They were quite tall,  about 7 or 8 feet, and quite unique.

In case you missed it this time, the Carefree Art and Wine Festival will be held again the weekend of March 1^st through the 3^rd.  I encourage you to come out and enjoy the day and some wonderful art in Carefree.  The town has added one or two new restaurants and stores, so you might just want to stay on for a late lunch or early dinner.