Fine Art Museum of Sedona Presents “Curt Walters: A Lifetime of Art” Across Two Locations, Kicking Off with a First Friday Opening Reception on September 4th
SEDONA, AZ — The Fine Art Museum of Sedona (FAMoS) is proud to announce a landmark retrospective exhibition, Curt Walters: A Lifetime of Art, spanning two premier locations in Sedona. Celebrating fifty years of dedication to the Grand Canyon and Western art, this dual-venue show brings together 49 exceptional oil paintings—ranging from intimate field studies to monumental canvases—loaned from private collections and the artist’s personal archives.
The public is invited to celebrate the launch of this extraordinary show at a special First Friday Opening Reception on September 4, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre venue.
Two FAMoS Venues, Two Distinct Stories
To fully encompass the scope of Walters’ career, the exhibition is curated into our community across two distinct Sedona cultural landmarks:
- The Mary D. Fisher Theatre Venue (Main Exhibition & Conquistador Series):
Location: 2033 W. State Route 89A, Sedona, AZ 1:00 to 5:00 pm daily
Exhibition Dates: September 4 – October 28
What: First Friday Opening Reception – Curt Walters: A Lifetime of Art
When: Friday, September 4, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Mary D. Fisher Theatre Fine Arts Complex (2033 W. SR 89A, Sedona, AZ)
Admission: Free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
This venue highlights the overarching narrative of Walters’ life—from his childhood struggles with dyslexia in rural New Mexico to becoming the foremost living painter of the Grand Canyon. Visitors will explore his award-winning international travel works, his recent historical series focusing on the 1540 Coronado expedition, and the premiere of his award-winning biography, Resilience: The Life and Grand Canyon Art of Curt Walters.
- The Sedona Heritage Museum (Impressions of Sedona: 1980–2000):
Location: 735 Jordan Rd, Sedona, AZ 11:00 am to 3:00 pm daily
Exhibition Dates: September 1 – November 30
Focusing on a deeply personal chapter of the artist’s life, this portion of the show features Walters’ plein air works painted following his move to Sedona in 1979. These canvases capture the changing face of Sedona and the Verde Valley, offering a poignant look at the historic landscape through the eyes of an artist in emotional and creative transition.
Highlighted Features & Book Launch
Widely recognized as one of the most decorated landscape painters of the American Southwest, Curt Walters has earned 56 major honors, including nearly 20 awards from the Prix de West Invitational and the prestigious Artist of Distinction Award from the Booth Western Art Museum.
Coinciding with the exhibition is the presentation of the newly published, award-winning biography Resilience: The Life and Grand Canyon Art of Curt Walters. Authored by dDamian Foreman and distributed by the University of New Mexico Press and Simon & Schuster, this 385-page monograph recently earned the Gold Medal for Best Coffee Table Book at the 2025 Foreword INDIES Awards and the Silver Medal at the 2026 IPPY Awards. Copies will be available for display and purchase during the event.
Key Event & Visitor Details
- Opening Reception at the Mary Fisher: Friday, September 4 (5 to 8 pm)
- Opening Reception at the Heritage*: Friday, September 18 (5 to 8 pm)
- First Friday at the Mary Fisher*: Friday, October 2 (5 to 8 pm)
- *The documentary “Curt: A Lifetime of Art” will be shown
- The award-winning book, “Resilience: The Life History and Grand Canyon Art of Curt Walters,” will be available for purchase and signing at all events
- Details available via the FAMoS website
- Admission: Admission is always free at the Mary Fisher location and for above events.
About Curt Walters
Born in New Mexico and based in Sedona for over forty years, Curt Walters has earned worldwide acclaim for his impressionistic renditions of natural landscapes. His work has been exhibited at major museums nationwide, including the Eiteljorg Museum, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, and the Autry Museum of the American West. Beyond his artistic achievements, Walters has been a passionate advocate for air quality and preservation efforts at the Grand Canyon.
About the Fine Art Museum of Sedona (FAMoS)
The Fine Art Museum of Sedona (FAMoS) is dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and presenting world-class visual arts to the greater Verde Valley. Through curated exhibitions, public programming, and community partnerships, FAMoS enriches the cultural landscape of Sedona and the Verde Valley.