Casa Grande Arts and Crafts Festival

Following in the footsteps of his father, Hector Sr., a Yaqui artist, and his uncle Frank Granillo who created metal garden art as a welder, Valencia continues to push the limits of his creativity, background, and skills to take his art to the next level. (hectorvalenciaartist.com)

Valencia's creations will appear at the Casa Grande Holiday Arts and Crafts Festival, among many other handmade artworks, on Saturday, December 17 from 9 am to 4 pm and Sunday, December 18 from 10 am to 4 pm. The festival will offer artistic displays, fun for the kids, and plenty of food and shopping at the Promenade, 1005 North Promenade Parkway.

 Also appearing at the festival will be artist Scott Luchansky, wood and  
 saguaro carver, stone and wood sculptor, and furniture maker. Luchansky

 has spent most of his adult life in the West where he became deeply

 involved with the mystique and grandeur of the desert Southwest and this

 culturally diverse setting.

Artwork by Scott Luchansky

Luchansky shares his vision through his art in a process that he calls emergence. His illusive use of native materials and images evoke thoughts of Native American tradition, tribal art, and the beauty of the desert Southwest. Saguaro cacti comprise the main body of his work. (luchanskyart.com)

Art fair attendees can also find watercolor from Nature's Images, pictures from Photography by Judy Bottler, wood and leatherwork from Hidemasters of Colorado, jewelry from Meeka's Baseline, mixed media and acrylic from Southwestern Art & Design, gourmet meats from Weisner's Fine Smoked Meats, and much more.

Hot dogs, turkey legs, roasted corn, biscuits and gravy, buffalo wings, and more will fill up festival-goers with warm food, as well as deserts, roasted nuts, and kettle corn.

Kids can also participate in crafts with balloon twisters and face painters and play on the inflatable jump land during the show.

The Promenade boasts a million square feet of mall, with more than 75 stores and eateries, so attendees can warm-up the winter with Italian and Mexican favorites or satisfy the holiday sweet tooth with café-style deserts.

Casa Grande Arts and Crafts Festival

When: 9 am to 4 pm Saturday, December 17, and 10 am to 4 pm Sunday, December 18

Where: Promenade Shopping Center in Casa Grande, 1005 North Promenade Parkway (Interstate 10 and Florence Boulevard, Exit 194)

Cost: Free admission

Phone: (520) 797-3959

Online: casagrandefestival.org

About the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance

The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a not-for-profit organization that exists to ensure that, through engagement in arts and culture, our communities produce strong, inspired citizens. SAACA enlists artists, businesses, governments, and individuals to expand artistic and cultural opportunities in their respective communities. To enhance access to the arts and to promote cultural awareness in the communities it serves, SAACA presents large-scale festivals, events, and other programs. The Alliance also promotes educational opportunities in the arts and culture for both the young and the old.

Organization History   

The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) grew out of the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council (GOVAC), an organization established in 1997 to provide artistic and cultural opportunities for residents of northwest Tucson. GOVAC eventually became one of the largest arts organizations in the region. In 2009, owing to its success, the group expanded its mission to include creation of partnerships with business, governments, and communities throughout Southern Arizona that would encourage innovative, creative cultural expression in the arts for years to come.

For more information about programs and events produced by the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance, go to www.saaca.org.