The 46th Annual Scottsdale Arts Festival Coming to the Valley in March

(Scottsdale, Ariz.) – The Scottsdale Cultural Council will present the 46^th annual Scottsdale Arts Festival, a weekend-long celebration of creativity, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 11–13, at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and Civic Center Park. The Festival is made possible by the Center’s 2015–16 Season Sponsor InEight.

“The Scottsdale Arts Festival is a beloved annual tradition that has entertained generations of our city’s residents and visitors,” remarked Scottsdale Cultural Council President and CEO Neale Perl. “The event is a great example of how the arts bring people together and inspire a community. We invite everyone to be part of this unique celebration of the visual and performing arts.”

Known for its high-quality art and beautiful setting, the Scottsdale Arts festival will showcase 170 jury-selected artists from North America, who work in painting, sculpture, glass, ceramics, jewelry, photography and other media. Works of art are available for purchase directly from the artists and through the Festival’s online art auction.

Throughout the weekend, more than 20 Arizona bands and performers will provide continuous live music and entertainment on two stages, including blues, country/folk, jazz, R&B, rock and more. Among the musical acts are California-based headliner Leftover Cuties onSaturday, March 12, and local favorites Cold Shott and the Hurricane Horns, Dry River Yacht Club Duo, Jaleo, Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra, Ritmo Latino, The Sugar Thieves Duo and Trailer Queen.

New to the Festival this year, the Local First Arizona Marketplace will offer a tantalizing selection of locally produced goods, including artisan chocolates, gourmet granola, and handmade soaps and spa items. Among the vendors are Bird’s Nest Baking, Blood Brothers, Cookie Girl, ISS Magic Mixes, Nature’s Nourishment, Strawberry Hedgehog, Untamed Confections and Xocolatl.

Foodies will enjoy a moveable feast with more than a dozen gourmet Valley food trucks and eateries serving up savory dishes from around the world, from wood-fired Italian pizzas and smoky barbecue to savory Japanese noodle bowls and fresh lobster rolls. Vendors include Barrie’s Original Kettle Korn, Fabio on Fire, Frites Street, Lu Lu’s Italian Ice, Mac ’n’ Cheese, The Maine Lobster Lady, Mustache Pretzels, Paletas Betty, Press Italian, Sugar Jam Bake Shop, Short Leash Hot Dogs, Spice it Up, Whiskey Ranch and Yatai Ramen AZ. A variety of fine wines, beers, cocktails and beverages will also be offered, including happy-hour drink specials, build-your-own Bloody Marys, and tastings, samplings and giveaways throughout the weekend.

During the Festival, admission will be free to Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA), which features the exhibitions Betye Saar: Still Tickin’, a retrospective showing six decades of work by this legendary American artist, and Bruce Munro: Ferryman’s Crossing, a gallery-sized installation by the acclaimed U.K. artist, along with James Turrell’s Knight Rise skyspace and more.

Exploring the theme of “Art is Everywhere,” Imagine Nation, the Festival’s free family area, will offer a variety of sights, sounds and hands-on art activities and entertainment to engage the imaginations of children and adults, including wearable paper hats, story readers, dancing and more. SMoCA’s Young@Art Gallery inside Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts will feature the exhibition Yo Soy … Je Suis … I Am … The Future, featuring optimistic and insightful artwork by children with developmental challenges from around the world. The Arizona Coyotes Youth Mobile Tour will make a stop at the Festival, offeringimmersive technology and hands-on hockey skills stations, among other fun activities.

In collaboration with the Festival, Scottsdale Public Art will offer a guided walking tour ($15) of Old Town Scottsdale. Led by Scottsdle Public Art Director Donna Isaac and Curator of Collections and Exhibitions Wendy Raisanen, the tour will start at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 12, and feature more than a dozen works of art, from Robert Indiana’s world-famous LOVE sculpture to Ed Mell’s dramatic Jack Knife. Tickets and additional details are available at www.ScottsdalePublicArt.org.