Art Gallery

Located in The Collective Sedona in the Village of Oak Creek, the Sedona Arts

Academy has launched itself as a community arts, performance, and social center open

to all residents, visitors, and arts groups.

 SAA is excited to bring its visions of education,

collaboration, and innovation in artistic expression to the Verde Valley.

The SAA is a venue where artists of all ages and

experience levels can showcase and sell their art. The space is all inclusive for:

 Established local artists who already have portfolios of fine art

 Local artists who perhaps have never shown their work publicly

 New artists

 Young artists

Each exhibit will last for about two months, and a new one will begin shortly afterwards.

There is no jury process; all local artists who apply will be accepted as long as their

works fit in the space and meet the gallery’s “family friendly” standards. Artists for whom

there is no space in a given show will be added to a waiting list and will be included in a

future show.

In addition to recruiting individual artists, the program will also reach out to Verde Valley

arts groups, galleries, Native American communities, and schools with the objective of

attracting artists of all ages and experience levels, including children and first-time

exhibitors.

The fee for an artist to participate in a two month SAA exhibit is $40 (this fee can be

waived for children and in cases of hardship). Artists who make sales from the exhibits

are asked to donate 20% of their sales to SAA to support future exhibits and the

organization’s mission.

The SAA’s exhibition program is planned and organized by a volunteer committee

consisting of Jack Ross, Carol Gandolfo, John Oakes, Judy Feldman, and Beverly

Kievman Copen. The application forms and detailed instructions for applying are

available at the Sedona Arts Academy venue at The Collective Sedona, 7000 AZ-179,

Suites C 100-102-104, Sedona, AZ 86351, and can also be downloaded from the SAA

website at https://sedonaartsacademy.org .

SAA’s programs are nondiscriminatory; SAA will not discriminate based on race, color,

national or ethnic origin or culture, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or

gender identity or expression.

Sedona Arts Academy Opens Summer Art Exhibit

The Sedona Arts Academy is pleased to announce the second in its ongoing series of art shows celebrating the visual artists of the Verde Valley.  Building on the great success of the inaugural exhibit in March, the current show features an extraordinary range of fine pieces from gifted local artists, including several whose work has not previously been shown in the area.

The show runs until October 13th and is open week days from noon to 6:00 PM and 11am to 6pm on weekends.  The public is also cordially invited to meet the artists at a congenial artist’s reception on Friday, July 16th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.  The Academy’s exhibit space is located just south of Rotten Johnny’s Pizza in the Collective Sedona, at 7000 State Route 179 in the Village of Oak Creek.  COVID-19 precautions are always in effect for everyone who enters the space.

The artists exhibiting in this show represent a wide range of backgrounds and interests, and their diversity is reflected in the range of pieces on display. For example photographer Jack Ross was introduced to photography by his father, Bill Ross, a WW II Navy photographer. Jack’s Dad taught him the ropes in their basement photo lab. Following his Naval Aviation career Jack flew the world as a Delta Airlines Captain and picked up the camera again capturing images throughout his 29 years at Delta. Jack also became involved with his wife Camilla’s theater company, Emerson Theater Collaborative, helping to document many performances.

Sedona artist Janice Davis was awestruck in her youth by an original Van Gogh and realized at that moment she would be painting for the rest of her life.  She embraces the abstract in her exploration of the medium of oils and is always trying something new - especially as inspired by Sedona landscapes.

Cathy Knisley has been exploring different painting media, from oil to watercolor. After discovering fluid acrylic art, she embarked into the world of abstract art, including experimental and contemporary design. Aspiration requires exploration.Combination and evolution of various methods has enabled a complexity of expression and imagination that projects endless options for interpretation. By using various embellishments in her acrylic artwork, new dimensions have emerged for Cathy. Imagine…Cathy creates at her workshop: Studios at the Rock, in Rimrock, AZ.

Wood turner Keith Knisley has honed his skills and designs over many years, and the beauty and sophistication of his works has advanced proportionately.  His bowls are turned from a variety of reclaimed trees, and his finial ornaments incorporate both domestic and exotic woods.  A variety of finishes enhance the artistry and durability of his superb creations.

Bob Shuman is a passionate believer in the power of landscapephotography—not just to please the eye, but to instill in all of usa deep reverence for nature.  Viewers of his work will surely feelthis reverence, especially in the photographs of his favorite subject—the red rocks of Arizona.

The Academy’s Art Exhibition Program welcomes participation by visual artists of all ages and experience levels from throughout the Verde Valley.  There is no jury process; any artist who applies and who is able to abide by the SAA’s Artist Agreement and Terms and Conditions will be included in a show when space permits. Verde Valley artists who would like to exhibit at this venue in a future show are encouraged to request the application package from Jack Ross at Sedonaartsacademy@gmail.com