Situated in the heart of the Verde Valley wine region, this free event highlights premier independent regional artists and makers.
COTTONWOOD, Ariz. (July 28, 2026) – Following a successful spring season, the Arizona Wine Country Artists Village is pleased to announce the return of its premier juried fine art and fine craft fair to the Verde Valley this fall. The outdoor event will take place over the weekend of October 9–11, 2026, running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Hosted by the City of Cottonwood at the Old Town Activity Park, the gathering is organized and promoted by Jerome-based artists John and Lauri Maeder, doing business as PBSW Events, LLC. The fair is designed to bring together outstanding local and regional makers in a highly walkable, vibrant community setting.
Rather than a conventional market, this event focuses on an immersive experience where attendees are invited to Immerse, Discover, and Collect. Visitors can immerse themselves in live artistic creation, discover the unique processes and technical stories behind the work, and collect investment-quality original pieces directly from independent creators.
The fine art and craft fair emphasizes high-quality, original work across a broad selection of creative mediums. Admission to the event grounds is free, and the venue welcomes both families and pets.
Old Town Activity Park is located just off Main Street at 187 E. Pima Street. While the event itself does not feature on-site alcohol sales or tasting booths, its central location places it within brief walking distance of more than a dozen local restaurants, galleries, shops, and lodging. Situated inside the federally recognized Verde Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA), Cottonwood serves as a prominent wine tourism destination, surrounding the art fair with a rich variety of nearby vineyard tasting rooms—including Maynard Keenan’s state-of-the-art production and tasting facility.
Key features of the October fair will include:
- Top Regional Artists: A juried selection of fine artists and craftsmen displaying high-quality, original portfolios.
- Free Scavenger Hunt and Raffle: An interactive community hunt featuring donated artist pieces, culminating in a raffle drawing that includes a $500 cash grand prize.
- Children’s Art Activity Tent: A dedicated, hands-on educational area providing a safe space for young artists to explore and create their own projects.
The Arizona Wine Country Artists Village was established in the fall of 2024 to create a thoughtfully curated community event where independent artists and their craftsmanship take center stage. Utilizing their extensive backgrounds exhibiting at national outdoor art fairs, the Maeders developed the series to support artists, engage attendees, and contribute to the greater Verde Valley economy.
The fair is held four times each year. Following the feature fair on October 9–11, the village will host an additional autumn show from November 20–22, 2026.
For more details regarding the Arizona Wine Country Artists Village, please visit the official website at https://artists-village.com.
