JANUARY 15, 2014
Thunderbird Artists kicks off season with Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival, Arizona Fine Art EXPO
The Thunderbird Artists fine art shows have been eagerly anticipated by locals and tourists ever since Judi Combs launched the event in 1981. For Combs, it's a genuine love affair, a true family affair that has not only touched four generations, including her husband, Frank, their children, Judi's brother and sister-in-law, a nephew and a grandson, but also countless artists and art fanciers. (Read more at www.thunderbirdartists.com.)
The first weekend art show of 2014 gets underway Jan. 17-19 with the Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival. Featured artist is Esther Rogoway of Tucson. An additional 165 renowned artists who have all gone through Thunderbird Artists’ jury process accompany Rogoway. (Jury is a process artists undergo to participate in Thunderbird Artists festivals. The jury is vigorous and the competition is competitive! Once artists are selected, Thunderbird Artists go back through the artists’ images and, once again, select the top artist to be featured.) Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at 101 Easy St. and will feature fine wine tastings represented by various wineries and live musical entertainers. Admission is $3 and parking is free.
Also upcoming is the annual Arizona Fine Art EXPO, 26540 N. Scottsdale Rd. It runs 10 weeks, from Jan. 16 to March 30, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (See more at ArizonaFineArtEXPO.com or phone 480-837-7163.)
“Every year patrons walk away from the show raving about the quality of art, friendliness of the artists and the special EXPO ambiance,” added Combs, who is also CEO/Partner of Arizona Fine Art EXPO.
The EXPO is a wonderful opportunity to watch artists at work and find that one-of-a-kind piece of furniture, gourds, pottery, wood and stone sculptures, kaleidoscopes and other items to dazzle and amaze. Remember, this event only runs 74 days, so catch it while you can!
Above: The Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival gets underway this 
weekend.
Right: Santiago Gutierrez, from Nicaragua, meticulously etches the designs of his heritage and country. He can be seen working on pottery in his studio at the Arizona Fine Art EXPO, January 16 through March 30.
