A new indoor art festival is coming to Tucson later this month, giving Arizona artists an opportunity to showcase and sell their work during one of the state’s most challenging seasons for outdoor events.
Art State Arizona will host the inaugural La Paloma Summer Indoor Art Festival on Aug. 22-23 at the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa. The free event will feature more than 60 artists working across a variety of mediums, including painting, ceramics, jewelry, photography, sculpture, mixed media, fiber arts and glass, while live acoustic music provides entertainment throughout both days.
The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day inside the resort at 3800 E. Sunrise Drive.
Jonathan Frahm, creative programs manager for Art State Arizona, said the organization created the festival to address a seasonal challenge many artists face each summer.
“Summer is a traditionally difficult season for artists because outdoor events slow down due to the heat and the monsoon season,” Frahm said. “We wanted to create a comfortable indoor setting where artists can continue earning income by selling at these indoor events and connecting with the community.”
The nonprofit has previously partnered with resorts to host culinary events during the summer, including food festivals and competitions. Frahm said launching an indoor fine art festival was a natural extension of that model after the organization partnered with the Westin La Paloma.
“Our bread and butter has always been working with artists at community art festivals,” Frahm said. “This gives us an opportunity to bring that experience indoors while giving the Tucson community a chance to see artists’ work in person during the summer.”
Visitors can expect to browse original artwork from artists across Arizona while enjoying the resort setting and live acoustic performances.
Frahm said he hopes guests leave with more than artwork.
“I hope they experience the intent of the festival, which is to offer this opportunity to more than 60 Arizona-based artists,” he said. “I hope they enjoy the time observing and perhaps purchasing art.”
The festival reflects Art State Arizona’s broader mission of strengthening the state’s creative economy by creating more opportunities for artists to connect directly with residents, visitors and businesses.
Frahm said holding an indoor event in August allows artists to continue exhibiting their work during a time when many outdoor festivals pause because of extreme temperatures.
“It gives these artists their fair shake at appealing to consumers and having the face-to-face interactions they’re used to at fine art fairs and festivals, but within the summer season,” he said. “It’s supporting Arizona’s creative economy at an unusual time of year.”
The festival’s lineup was intentionally curated to include a wide range of artistic styles and mediums.
According to Frahm, organizers use a jury process to evaluate applicants based on artistic quality, the needs of each individual festival and the overall balance of participating artists.
“We want each festival to be diverse with regard to what is being sold and presented,” he said. “That diversity helps create a better experience for visitors while giving artists the best opportunity to succeed.”
Among the participating artists are painters, ceramicists, jewelers, photographers, sculptors, woodworkers and mixed-media artists. The event will also feature artisan food vendors selling locally made specialty products.
“What’s better than art you can eat?” Frahm said with a laugh.
Art State Arizona describes its mission as treating creativity as infrastructure — a philosophy Frahm said extends beyond entertainment.
“The arts are more than just what entertains us,” he said. “They are an essential part of everyday life. They elevate our communities in ways that we often take for granted.”
Free admission is another important part of the organization’s mission, Frahm said, because it encourages more people to attend while helping artists reach new customers.
“We hope people show up, they’re excited about it and they support these artists,” he said. “That allows us to continue bringing this opportunity to artists each year.”
Art State Arizona hosts art festivals, culinary events and other creative programs throughout the year. Frahm said he hopes the inaugural La Paloma Summer Indoor Art Festival becomes an annual tradition while increasing awareness of Arizona artists and the role they play in local communities.
“We’re really happy we could bring this opportunity to the forefront,” he said. “We’re excited to see where it goes.”
