With all of the distractions of day-to-day life, finding time to focus on an art project can be challenging. That’s why the Sedona Summer Colony has been so successful. For the third summer in a row, artists from as far away as New Zealand and Belgium will take up residence at Verde Valley School in the Village of Oak Creek. They will live in the dorms, have access to cultural excursions and spend their days focused on their medium, whether it be painting, writing, ceramics, film or something else entirely. The colony also welcomes “cultural managers”: professionals who might not necessarily be artists but who work in the art field (think museum directors and gallery owners). This year, the colony, a collaboration between Verde Valley School and Sedona Arts Center, takes place July 21 through Aug. 12.
New to the 2018 lineup are pre-colony workshops happening July 16-19. A fifth workshop happens Aug. 6-11 with a focus on the spoken word. Carol Holyoake, director of legacy programs at Verde Valley School and a summer colony organizer, says the public will see the results of the spoken-word class during a performance on Aug. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. That isn’t the only way you can get involved. Once again, the colony will be open to the public for community potluck dinners and open studio tours on July 28, Aug. 4 and Aug. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Northern Arizona artists who are interested in participating in the colony but don’t necessarily need the lodging can purchase day passes for $40. The workshops and residency program also serve as professional development for teachers. Scholarships for local K-12 teachers are available. Carol says organizers cap the number of participants at 50 per day to make sure it’s a quiet, focused environment conducive to creativity.
“I’m always so excited to see what comes out of the artists,” says Carol. “Of course, everybody is captivated by the landscape, but it’s how they express that captivation that is unique. The residency breeds a sense of community. If you look at our Facebook page, you see that these artists have remained in touch and continue to support and promote each other.”
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