Back in 2004, four art experts – Peggy Lanning, Isabelle Cozart, James Ratliff and Karen Ely – founded the Sedona Gallery Association as a way to promote Sedona’s fine art galleries. With the association came the 1st Friday Gallery Tour, which happens the first Friday of each month from 5 to 8 p.m. The intent was to engage locals and tourists with Sedona’s galleries and artists. This year, the SGA is undergoing some modernization thanks to the association’s new president, Angela Palmer, who works as the gallery director at Creative Gateways. “First Friday has always been our signature event,” says Angela, who has a background in art marketing in Phoenix. “Right now, we’re looking at other major art destinations like Santa Fe and Jackson Hole to see what they are doing with their art walks. How does Sedona stay competitive with other cities?”
Angela says the most popular months for the gallery tour are April, May, October and November. (This month’s tour happens April 6.) The SGA hopes to start involving more businesses in the gallery tour – think restaurants and bars. “We want people to be able to make a night of it,” says Angela. As for SGA membership, joining includes a strict vetting process, and interested galleries must be sponsored by an existing member gallery. Right now, there are 18 members including ALT Gallery, Andrea Smith Gallery, Creative Gateways, Gallery of Modern Masters, Goldenstein Gallery, The Gallereum: Greg Lawson’s Collectors Gallery and Photography Museum, Honshin Fine Art: Gallery of the Ascending Spirit, Honshin Fine Art: Gallery of Wholeness, Harmony and Radiance, James Ratliff Gallery, Kuivato Glass Gallery, Lanning Gallery, Lark Art Gallery, Mountain Trails Gallery, Renee Taylor Gallery, Rowe Fine Art Gallery, Sedona Arts Center, Turquoise Tortoise Gallery and Vue Gallery. Interested parties are always invited to apply for membership. The SGA meets the third Tuesday of every month.
“We want people to realize that member galleries are selected because of their quality,” says Angela. “The SGA wants to build an arts community where everyone in the fine arts works together and makes sure Sedona continues to be a high-quality arts destination.” – Erika Ayn Finch. Photo courtesy of Sedona Gallery Association.
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