By Nancy Lattanzi, Arts & Culture Coordinator
Sedona AZ (January 13, 2016) – There are many great reasons to celebrate the arts in our community and I am happy to report on the scope of creative projects that are underway at the city. We begin the new year displaying the art work through March of three accomplished artists in our City Hall Art Rotation program. To view any of these exhibits, please make an appointment to see works by watercolor artist Mary Dove, landscape artist Ellen Perantoni and fabric artist Margaret Anderson.
The Arts & Culture Initiatives Work Group included a number of passionate artists that generated a list of creative ideas the city could develop. One such idea launched in April 2015 was the Moment of Art. Once a month talented local artists are invited to perform before Sedona City Council. We enjoyed creative work by classic pianist/singer Louis Landon, who presented his solo “Sedona on My Mind.” Together, Solomon Morris on guitar and Theresa Morris on vocals sang “Night and Day.” Purpose and the Plan played their soothing acoustic “You’re with Me.” Composer/producer Chris Spheeris performed his interactive rhythmic piece “The Dancer Inside You.” 10-year-old Echo Reed played a poignant version of Gavotte in D major on her violin. Andrea Houchard spoke about The Art and Philosophy of Democracy. Martha Edwards entertained us with her high school students as they performed a scene from the play Dracula. We ended the year listening to Elizabeth Oakes read her moving poetry about Sedona. Thank you to all the wonderful artists that participated.
As part of the proposed creative projects, the city will launch its first Celebration of the Arts this spring. A new work group will help plan a day event at city hall, where the community can come to honor a wide range of local artists including visual, performing, literary and culinary arts. This festival will culminate with the Mayor’s Arts Awards. Should you know someone in the community deserving this award, there still is time to nominate, especially in the Education category. Additional categories are Individual, Business/Organization and Lifetime Achievement.
The Street Performance Program was initiated by the need to help make performing easier for local artists without going through the permit process. We are happy to announce the program was approved by the City Council in October. As the weather gets warmer, we look forward to seeing Uptown filled with engaging musicians, poets, face painters, caricaturists, plein air artists and more. Please visit our website to read more about the program guidelines and view the map of designated locations.
The Artist in the Classroom program was launched this year with a roster of 30 talented artists ready to collaborate with educators and offer inspiration in local classrooms. To date, Sedona Red Rock High School Music Teacher Courtney Yeates worked with musician Kathy Perry for her high school music concerts. Theater & Dance Teacher Martha Edwards requested artists Dev Ross and Dana DeLuz for her production of Dracula at the high school. Dr. Lisa Hirsch, Principal Educator for the Sedona Charter School, has been working with artist Maleita Wise who helped students create mandalas, mobiles, observational drawings and gratitude books. Pioneer Day was a big success at Big Park Elementary School in December. The students loved the always animated Martha Edwards, who led lively square dancing classes. Storytellers Diane Phelps and Christina Halstead were captivating as they educated the children about the struggles of life in pioneer times. Cindy Cole and her daughter Skyrah helped each child carefully craft their own corn husk doll. These collaborations, the first of many for the school year, truly confirm the importance that the arts play in education.
We are fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful places in the country. How notable to have the magnificent art work “The Open Gate,” created by Reagan Word, unveiled in November at the Schnebly Hill Roundabout. Located on one of our most scenic roadways, it welcomes all into Sedona. The blue heron is revered by Native Americans as a symbol of wisdom and a very lucky sign. Being a water creature, the bird symbolizes going with the flow, working with the elements of Mother Nature and not struggling against her. In 2016, may we honor this symbol in our community, go with the flow, create and flourish. Happy New Year!
