THE MAKERS & CREATORS OF TUCSON
Places to participate in the artsy side of the
Old Pueblo
By Stacey Gregory
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It could be the weather. It might be the landscapes and the sunsets. Possibly it’s the mix and blends of cultures. Whatever the reason, all types of creative artists are called to Tucson, Arizona. So, we’re celebrating a few favorites who brighten our homes and lives with their talents and tell you where you can join in the fun through classes and workshops.
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SANTA THERESA TILE WORKS
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Santa Theresa Tile Works is a popular go-to for distinctive tile and mosaics used in businesses and residences. These colorful and brilliant tiles are handmade by artists in the workshop at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Sixth Street. Visitors are welcome to browse the beautiful showroom in the heart of the Historic Warehouse Arts District filled with tiles and Southwestern-themed gifts. Want to make your own creations? Sign up for a weekend or evening mosaic workshop or learn to make tiles in a class taught by an artist, all materials included. 404 N. 6th Ave.
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There’s only one all-glass gallery in Southern Arizona, and it’s in Tucson — Philabaum Glass Gallery. The gallery showcases works by more than 50 nationally recognized artists from across the country. Guests are treated to glass vases, paperweights, platters, stemware, contemporary sculpture, unique gifts, and artful jewelry on display inside the more than 2,000-square-foot gallery. Philabaum Glass Gallery is located at 5 Points just south of downtown.
711 S. 6th Ave.
PHILABAUM GLASS GALLERY & STUDIO
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SONORAN GLASS SCHOOL
Sonoran Glass School is sparking creativity in people of all ages through the wonders of glass art at the only full-service, nonprofit glass arts education organization in the Desert Southwest. Everyone is encouraged to create and appreciate glass as a visual arts medium through educational courses, visiting artist seminars, events, and more. Four studios, each dedicated to a different glass art medium or skill, offer private lessons or workshops in furnace glassblowing, soft and borosilicate glass torchworking, glass kiln-fusing, and coldworking led by gifted glass art instructors. Proceeds support the education and advancement of glass art and glass artists in Southern Arizona. 633 W. 18th St.
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SOUTHERN ARIZONA ARTS GUILD
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The Southern Arizona Arts Guild (SAAG) provides a forum for artists to study, share, and show their artwork. Composed of painters, sculptors, and creators of all manner of fine art, SAAG welcomes seasoned and new artists and those interested in the arts. You can find all kinds of local artists’ work, including original oil, watercolors, colored pencils, scratch-board wall art, pottery, jewelry, photography, glassworks, ceramics, textiles, greeting cards, and prints. Moreover, SAAG offers a variety of public art classes held in the backroom of the SAAG Gallery at La Encantada. Classes are taught by members and are usually beginner friendly, mostly with materials provided in the cost of admission. 2905 E. Skyline Dr.
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TUCSON CLAY CO-OP
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The Tucson Clay Co-op is a community-based cooperative providing a professional working environment for clay and ceramic artists of all skill levels. Visiting potters rent space, and guests can purchase their wares at the gallery. Budding potters can explore the ceramic arts through workshops with guest artists and a diverse selection of clay classes for adults and children, including wheel throwing, hand building, and sculpture.
3326 N. Dodge Blvd.
SOUTHERN ARIZONA ARTS & CULTURAL ALLIANCE
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The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating, preserving, and advancing the arts to strengthen the bonds between people, place, and purpose through collaborative, arts-driven experiences. In fact, many art festivals and community events around Southern Arizona are organized by SAACA. Guests can join in the fun at CATALYST Collaborative Arts & Maker Space, SAACA’s creative community space located in the Tucson Mall, where special events, fundraisers, seminars, presentations, art experiences, social gatherings, and more are hosted year-round. 4500 N. Oracle Rd., Ste. 110
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XEROCRAFT
Xerocraft is Tucson, Arizona’s local maker space, hackerspace, and public workshop. The collection of scientists, engineers, tradespeople, artists, and hobby enthusiasts come together to learn, collaborate, teach, create, and socialize. Visitors will find an array of shops, including wood, metal, laser cutting, jewelry, electronics, and more. Workshops and classes are regularly offered, teaching anything from how to use a welder or 3D printer to how to make a bracelet or set pendants. 101 W. 6th St.
STEINFELD WAREHOUSE COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER
You never know what you’ll find at the Steinfeld Warehouse Community Arts Center. The collection of art studios, galleries, and shops is located in Tucson’s downtown historic Warehouse Arts District. It makes an excellent venue for live music, visual art exhibitions, theater performances, readings by poets and authors, open studios, and art classes.
101 W. 6th St.
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CENTRAL SCHOOL PROJECT
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What began as a tenants’ association of artists is now the Central School Project (CSP), a nonprofit arts and cultural center in Bisbee, Arizona. Not only does the project preserve the historic Central School building as a cultural center, but it’s also been adapted into an affordable creative space for working artists. CSP provides a broad array of arts programming, including art exhibits, performance art, poetry readings, plays, concerts, dance performances, film events, and children’s workshops to the local community and Bisbee visitors. 143 Howell Ave., Bisbee