Mesa, Arizona, is warm weather go to destination for many travelers during the winter months. The community is saturated with fun, entertaining, cultural, and educational activities. Outdoor lovers will be on cloud nine with locations like the Apache Trail, Saguaro Lake, Usery Mountain Regional Park, and the Superstition Mountains. History buffs and those looking to increase their knowledge, will be drawn to the many museums and historical sites that dot the area. Those who are looking for more of a cosmopolitan experience will get swept up in the boutique shops, live entertainment venues, public parks, and the wide selection of restaurants. With a focus on culture and community in Mesa, the local artisan scene has grown and flourished. There are many exhibits and galleries that showcase a wide variety of art in different disciplines. The healthy artisan community combined with the abundance of fun activities make the city the ideal home of the Mesa Arts Festival.
Entering into its 11th year, the Mesa Arts Festival has established itself as one of the premier art gatherings in the region. Thousands of people from the area, and the entire Southwest, come to Mesa to take in this fun and unique event. Local artists showcase a comprehensive variety of works from disciplines such as painting, jewelry making, woodworking, metalworking, glass blowing, and much more. This is a great festival for the entire family. Your kids will love all the bright colors and activities for kids like craft making and storytelling. You’ll find plenty of live entertainment such as music, performance art, and live artist demonstrations. Bring some warmth and culture into your next getaway and head to Mesa for an impressive community and the Mesa Arts Festival. We interviewed Casey Blake, the Director of Public Relations for the Mesa Arts Center, to talk about the Mesa Arts Festival.
RAL: Tell me a little bit about the Mesa Arts Festival.
CB: Mesa Arts Center’s campus will offer a spirited and unique holiday experience on December 12-13, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, for the Mesa Arts Festival. The free annual festival will feature original works of art for sale from local, regional, and national artists in various mediums. You’ll also find live entertainment showcasing local and national talent on two stages, live artist demonstrations, a family activity area, and an array of culinary delights.
RAL: How many people does the festival draw and who are they?
CB: The annual Mesa Arts Festival is in its 11th year, and the event draws anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 visitors over the course of two days. At the festival, you’ll see people of all ages with activities for everyone, including shopping, browsing, watching demonstrations by studio artists, making your own craft ornament or a personalized necklace, enjoying delicious foods or taking in live entertainment on two stages.
RAL: What makes the festival unique?
CB: Forget the big box stores, Mesa Arts Festival invites you to shop local and shop outdoors. Plus, you’ll enjoy some free entertainment while doing it. It’s the perfect event for a relaxed and unique shopping experience, perfect for the entire family.
RAL: Take me through a typical day at the festival?
CB: The event invites the entire family to get in the holiday spirit, cross some names off your shopping list, and do it all while enjoying art and entertainment. One-of-a-kind items will be plentiful, and performance artists from Rachel Bowditch’s Vessel collaboration “Spectrum,” will be interacting with the crowds and offering photo opportunities. Children can enjoy free activities such as painting a ceramic ornament, listening to a Bookmans Book Pals Storyteller, and many other activities, all courtesy of Bookmans.
Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum’s five gallery spaces will be open, as well as The Store, featuring unique art created by local artists. Artist demonstrations in ceramics, glass blowing, blacksmithing, weaving, quilting, jewelry making, painting, and printmaking will take place at various times throughout the festival, and festival-goers will be able to try their hand at many of the classes offered at Mesa Arts Center. C’est La Vie Quartet and Red Mountain High School Carolers will sing carols across campus, and juggler James Reid will complement the two music stages at opposite ends of the campus.
RAL: Why should people come to your event?
CB: Mesa Arts Center’s stunning architecture is one of many reasons to visit the Mesa Arts Festival. The weather in Mesa is another. Many of us are getting down to the wire with holiday shopping, and Mesa Arts Festival offers a one-stop shop to getting the most memorable, unique items you could imagine. Enjoy the sun, the atmosphere, and the abundance of options as you cross all your loved ones off your list.
For more information on the Mesa Arts Festival please visit their website.