Arts & Culture

The cultural influence of the Native American people can be seen throughout the Verde Valley, in forms of ancient ruins and pictographs, local festivals, and arts and craftwork. Discover arts and culture like never before in the Sedona Verde Valley area.

Clarkdale Art Show and Sale Jerome's First Saturday Art Walk

Verde Valley Theatre

When respected historians said that no other area anywhere had a more convincing precedent for the creation and prospering of an art industry than Sedona and the Verde Valley, they weren't referring to the work created by the original ancient inhabitants of this area. Maybe they should have been, however, because the petroglyphs, pictographs and artifacts left behind by these people still intrigue art aficionados.

The point here is that the ancient ones unmistakably were influenced by the distinctive beauty of this unique area especially, they were awed by towering red rocks. And the spectacular scenes of that time also were the inspiration that led to the events more recently cited by the scholars who were so complimentary while appraising the destiny of this community as a heralded art center. Factors cited by the scholars were the organization of the most successful art organization in American history, Cowboy Artists of America, which was founded in a back booth at what now is the Cowboy Club on main street. These experts also pointed to the establishment of Sedona Arts Center almost 40 years ago, and they said that with regard to big-name artists, no city of its size has a finer heritage than Sedona.

Indeed, this artful community has been home to Western art legends like Joe Beeler, Charlie Dye, John Hampton and Jim Reynolds, and also internationally famous Max Ernst, whose works paved the way for surrealism. But more important than the past is the future, and among the region's current artists are many who are, or definitely will be, legendary. In fact, Sedona, which not too long ago had 300 residents, now has more than that many artists, plus more than 40 galleries and several annual arts festivals attract hundreds of recognized exhibitors from throughout the entire Southwest.

Of course, arts and cultural experiences relate to more than visual arts. The annual, three-day Sedona International Film Festival; Chamber Music Sedona, which recently staged it 20th anniversary music festival, a glorious weeklong affair; and myriad additional celebrations such as the anticipated, future season of Arizona Opera League of Northern Arizona, and it is easy to understand why enthusiastic connoisseurs of art and culture, residents, future residents and visitors are drawn to Red Rock Country.

It also makes sense that these people are applauding this city, as well as the artists who exhibit and perform here.

Additional Links:

Camp Verde: general * galleries

Cottonwood: click here
(retail list includes art galleries)

Sedona: click here

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