Scottsdale art scene

Scottsdale has more art galleries per capita than almost any other city in the United States — over 125 at last count. The galleries offers a variety of art including a selection of Western art rivaled only by Santa Fe. Most of the galleries are clustered in four areas that together make up the downtown art and shopping district.

Annual art events

Scottsdale is host to more than 25 art and music festivals throughout the year.

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• Jan. 12 through March 23 is the 18th annual Celebration of Fine Art, staged in a veritable meadow of white tents on Scottsdale Road. Visit 100 artists in less than a day. With an annual estimated 50,000 buyers and art aficionados, this is one of the biggest art markets in the West.


• From mid-April through mid-September, music fills the air during the Summer Concert Series at el Pedregal Festival Marketplace in north Scottsdale. El Pedregal is an open-air amphitheater surrounded by boutiques and art galleries and anchored by the Heard Museum North

Art walks

Downtown Scottsdale is one of the few areas in the Valley of the Sun that lends itself to walking around. The Scottsdale Gallery Association takes advantage of that with the Scottsdale ArtWalk. From 7-9 p.m. every Thursday of the year (except Thanksgiving), many of the more than 100 galleries in downtown Scottsdale open their doors to art lovers and people watchers. It's a great way to get out for a couple of hours and get to know artists and their work. In addition, visitors can enjoy the Summer Spectacular ArtWalk in July, the Western ArtWalk Weekend in October, and the Fiesta Bowl ArtWalk in December.

Hometown artists

Sculptors and painters Fritz Scholder, Ed Mell and Phil Curtis are among the nationally-known artists who call Scottsdale home. The works of these and many other well-known artists are prominently featured in some of the 100 or so art galleries around town.

The desert continues to inspire architect, artist, planner and ceramicist Paolo Soleri who, at age 82, lives and works in his studio, Cosanti, which he built himself almost 50 years ago. Soleri makes windbells to finance his architectural life work.

A selection of galleries

Art One
Specializes in works by local artists and students. You can find some surprisingly good bargains. 4120 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale. 480-946-5076. www.artonegallery.com.

Rive Gauche Traditional Art Gallery and Rive Gauche Contemporary Art Gallery
New on the Scottsdale art scene and located in the space that had been Meyer Art Gallery. Now you'll find traditional figurative paintings and classic bronze sculptures at the 7173 E. Main St. gallery and contemporary art and sculpture at the 15507 N. Scottsdale Road shop. 480-947-6372.

artspace
This is a 7,400-square-foot space housing Textures Gallery, Robert Roman Gallery and the Loft Studios, a group of studios for local artists. The gallery features a diverse selection of contemporary paintings, sculptures and crafts by emerging and internationally known artists. 4235 N. Marshall Way. 480-947-4014. www.artspaceaz.com.

Leslie Levy Fine Art
One of Scottsdale's most popular galleries, Leslie Levy Fine Art specializes in contemporary American realism. The gallery represents established artists who have been regionally or nationally recognized for their style, subject matter or technique. Artists include Robert LaDuke, Peter Holbrook, Greg Skol and Georgia Gerber. 7137 E. Main St. 480-947-2925. www.leslielevy.com.

Overland Gallery
Exhibiting premium quality Western and American representational art with a special emphasis on the finest, most extensive selection of Russian/Soviet impressionism outside of Russia. 7155 E. Main St. 480-947-1934. www.overlandgallery.com.

Riva Yares Gallery
Southwest's premier gallery for museum-level modern and contemporary fine art by established masters and emerging talent. Established 1963. Member Art Dealers Association of America. 3625 Bishop Lane. 480-947-3251. www.rivayaresgallery.com.

Art museums in Scottsdale

• The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art displays sophisticated and thought-provoking exhibits. 7374 E. Second St. 480-92787. www.smoca.org.


• The Heard Museum North is internationally recognized for its extensive collection of Native American artifacts and fine art and unique exhibits. Its northernmost satellite museum occupies a new location at the Summit of Scottsdale, with two galleries, a gift shop and a delightful garden cafe. 32633 N. Scottsdale Road. 480-488-9817. www.heard.org.


• Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West is situated on 600 acres of rugged Sonoran Desert. It's a National Historic Landmark and one of Wright's greatest achievements. Through April 30, hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with tours running every 30 minutes and lasting one to three hours. The bookstore carries an extensive selection of architecture and art books and displays some of Wright’s fine art collection. 12621 N. Frank Lloyd Blvd. 480-860-2700. www.franklloydwright.org.