This past weekend ended up being a landmark one for the city of Scottsdale. The inaugural Scottsdale Art Week happened, as the city was transformed into a haven of artistry for creators from around the country, and where art fans from the entire region descended upon WestWorld to view, reflect, and purchase.
There have been numerous art events in the city throughout its history; after all, much of Old Town Scottsdale is devoted to that. But never has there been such a wide breadth and scope of different artistic endeavors, with some 100 galleries with disciplines as varied as modern and contemporary art, sculptures, fashion, antiques, pop-up displays, and fully immersive experiences. Add in luxury cars (with the event being sponsored by Ferrari), and what resulted was something truly new.
More than just a tribute to simply the high-end, this event was additionally unique was the appreciation of culture, exemplified by the indigenous art demonstrations of dance and music, a respectful nod to those who came before us, even those of us who have resided in this city all of our lives. Again, the breadth and the scope was unparalleled.
There are two sides to the equation however: not just the art but those who will appreciate it. An art festival is only successful if the area contains enough people who are willing to immerse themselves in it. And the city did not disappoint; organizers stated that the number of tickets sold was in the multiple thousands, and there was never a moment without many people milling about. By any metrics, but quantitative and qualitative, it was a rousing success.
Any four day festival is not a slight undertaking, but if it hits, especially the most difficult first iteration of an event, then it can be a potentially transformative experience for both those involved and the local community. The beginning of an era. And this first iteration definitely struck all of the right tones. It’s hard not to see how this won’t become a Scottsdale mainstay, a landmark annual event.
Great celebrations of art can have a “rising tide” impact on the city that holds them. Miami experiences this every year with Art Basel. While it’s too early to tell what sort of impact Scottsdale Art Week may have going forward, it took a massive first step into becoming one of those iconic and impactful events for not just the city of Scottsdale, but the entire Valley.