FEBRUARY 22, 2012

Discover a masterpiece at the award-winning Scottsdale Arts Festival

181 awe-inspiring artists from coast to coast; 22 toe-tapping Arizona bands and entertainers; 12 mouth-watering gourmet food trucks; 3 smile-inducing days of family-friendly fun; 1 eye-popping art project made of kisses … and you!

42nd Scottsdale Arts Festival
March 9 – 11, 2012
Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Outdoors at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts

SCOTTSDALE – Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts will present the 42nd annual Scottsdale Arts Festival on March 9–11 in Scottsdale Civic Center Park. The Festival is presented with support from SRP Earthwise Energy and the City of Scottsdale.

Named one of the top arts festivals in the nation by the readers of AmericanStyle Magazine and “Best Arts Festival” by Phoenix New Times, the Scottsdale Arts Festival has been recognized for its high-quality fine arts since 1971. The Festival showcases nearly 200 jury-selected artists from throughout the United States and Canada who work in painting, sculpture, glass and ceramics, jewelry, photography and more. Works of art are available for purchase directly from the artists and through the Festival’s online art auction.

Among the Festival’s many highlights, Texas artist and YouTube sensation Natalie Irish will be in residence creating her trademark celebrity portrait paintings, which have attracted worldwide attention, using lipstick and her own kisses. More than 20 Arizona bands and performers also will provide continuous live music and entertainment on two stages throughout the weekend, including Combo Mambo, Ken Love and the Rockerfellas, Musical Nomads, Pete Pancrazi Trio, The Rifftors’ Fabulous Fifties Revue, Sarah Vanell, The Sugar Thieves, Tesoro, Los Thieves and The West Hills Brothers.

Sharing the spotlight with the Festival’s many artists and musicians will be a dozen gourmet food trucks from the Phoenix Street Food Coalition serving an expanded selection of delicious international cuisine. Participating mobile eateries include Buzznbeez Good Food, Epic Hot Dogs, Hey Joe! Filipino Street Food, Jamburritos Cajun Grill Express, Luncha Libre, Mojo Bowl, Pin-Up Pastries, Riteway Catering Company, Spice it Up, Sweet Republic, Tom’s BBQ and Whiskey Ranch BBQ & Wood-Fired Pizzas. Also on the menu will be tastings of fine wines and beers courtesy of Young’s Market Company, cocktails and weekend happy-hour specials.

Exploring the theme of “Where in the World? Australia!” the Festival’s Imagine Nation family area will teach kids about life Down Under while engaging their creativity through free arts activities, face painting, dancing and more. Festival visitors also will enjoy art-making workshops with local guest artists courtesy of Art Intersection, the opportunity to add their own personal entries to Scottsdale Public Art’s 100+ Journals Project and free admission to Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA), which features the exhibitions economy of means: toward humility in contemporary sculpture and I Myself Have Seen It: Photography and Kiki Smith.

Tickets may be purchased in advance through www.ScottsdaleArtsFestival.org, 480-499-8587, or at any Festival entrance on the day of the event. (Pets are not allowed, except for trained assistance dogs.) Proceeds benefit the programs of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.

The Scottsdale Arts Festival takes place downtown at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and Scottsdale Civic Center Park, four blocks south of Indian School Road and three blocks east of Scottsdale Road.