The Return of the Working Artist
A Group of Artists in Tubac, Arizona Resurrect the Roots of the Artist Colony and Bring Their Creativity to the Public in a Tangible Way
Tubac, Arizona- January 10th, 2012-In an age where many artists work in isolation out of their home studios, and where the average Joe can browse through countless pieces of art via online galleries, Artists Row, a collection of art studios and artists has been created to bring them back to a sharing community. La Entrada de Tubac are the sponsors and they invite visitors to be a part of the action. There, the impersonal is taken out of art, as visitors observe the artists hard at work, and watch as a unique piece is crafted through beginning, middle or end.
Tubac, known today as a southern Arizona’s destination for art, was one of the first towns when Arizona became a state. In the early 1950s Tubac became a retirement community for artists. Many well known artists came there for rest and to create their art. The village was mostly made up of artist’s homes and studios combined. Over the years Tubac shifted focus toward art shops, galleries and restaurants.
Pat Aguilar, owner of the gallery, Feminine Mystique, and organizer of Artists Row, says, “My hope is that ‘Artist Row Tubac’ will bring back the in-house artist to Tubac. Though we're a small group right now, the long term vision is to fill the studios with talent and to give the client and the artist a place to create and to encourage visitors with an open and welcome atmosphere of sharing and learning.”
When asked what inspired her to join Artist Row, Tra-Digital artist Ande Herbert, said, “I was inspired by a space that is devoted to creating art…it’s often hard in a home studio to stay focused. I’ve completed more art in the last several months than I have over a span of three years at home.”
The current best time to visit with the artists is Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Today if you strolled through the studios, you may see a painter, custom frame maker, jeweler, doll artist, photographer and or an antique window glass painter, busy at work.
“Although sales are encouraged, my artists must be demonstrating their abilities. A certain caliber of talent is wanted for Artists Row. All artists are juried in.”, said Aguilar, in response to what criteria she looks for in the artists. “We want to send out a call for more artists to join us. Hopefully we will fill the units with artists from all artistic medias.”
With the focus on giving back to the community, the artists invite conversation and questions. Visitors may also receive a demonstration in face sculpting along with refreshments, or a complimentary gift photograph of various southwest themes, or learn a new art technique in a mini session.
Doll maker Gretchen LimaWood says, “I just love the idea of an "Artists Row" where the public can go into the studio and watch artists work without feeling like they are invading the privacy of the artist.”
“I am hopeful that as the number of Artist Row participants grow we will be able to join together in events which draw the public in.” says custom-framer Roxanne Beckman.
Artists Row invites visits from the public, school students as well as collectors, and strives for continual growth each year until they have gained the title as a world class “working artist” community.
For additional information~
Contact: Pat Aguilar
Owner of Feminine Mystique and organizer of Artists Row Tubac
E-mail: femi9mystique@gmail.com
Phone: 520-398-0473
Location: Tubac, Arizona. At La Entrada de Tubac.
Directions: Hwy 19. Exit Tubac to Frontage road, turn into La Entrada, we are visible through the arch on the second floor; elevator available.
