Last weekend there were 14 craft and art faires in Tucson and, deciding I would only do one this year, I went to the Community Art Fest at the upscale La Encantada in the Foothills. It is the only shopping mall I visit very often and that visit usually is to go to Frost, the best gelato shop in Tucson. (Their strawberry champagne gelato is amazingly delicious!)
As you will see in these photos, the architecture at La Encantada is inspired by Mediterranean design. As is normal in Tucson year ’round, it was sunny, but now that it is winter, a bit chilly: 62 degrees F. Almost everyone, including me, was wearing a jacket.
Maybe better if jammed together
So, here is a bird’s eye view of one of the areas where artists set up their displays. It definitely did not have that crowded, busy feel that open air fairs have when they are set up side-by-side facing booths across the street. (That’s the voice of experience speaking! Crowded is better.)
Then down at ground level in the plaza, there seemed to be a little bit more activity. And a better view of the architecture.
Still not crowded, however, but two passageways jutting off this plaza looked more active. While it may not have been busy with shoppers buying as fast as they can, the displays were quite beautiful.
I love the way the light fell on Melissa Henshaw’s ceramics display, on the left. On the right, very different designs made from wood, available for sale. These are clearly inspired by local indigenous ceramics.
Other artists were tucked in here and there. As a former luxury soap maker, I had to stop by the FourForty candle and soap booth, right. Their Creosote soap was very fragrant! Their shop is on Fourth Avenue.
As I walked from one area to another, I noticed an art gallery. I wondered if it was doing any business this weekend. And nearby was the booth of an artist who is clearly obsessed with donkeys!
And at the end of the fair was the permanent mural of a blue bellied lizard on a wall leading to the upper level. Joe Pagac’s work, obviously. He really has a thing for lizards, as you can see in this post about another mural he did down in MidTown.
A new way to donate to charity this year
One more “display” I came across was the Light of the World Giving Machine, a charitable vending service sponsored by the Latter Day Saints. There were many options for donating and many of them were to support Youth on Their Own, a Tucson organization which offers assistance to homeless young people. Some of the options: $40 donation for GED study material, a week of groceries for $50, new bedding for $20. There was a very helpful lady standing by to explain it all. I am not at all sure this Giving Machine is in La Encantada for the holiday season, or if it moves from place to place. I should have asked.
About that crowded Vegan Night Market
If you subscribe to Tucson Foodie, you received a notice this last week that there is a new way to attend the Vegan Night Market held at the Rillito Race Track. According to Tucson Foodie there were over 4,000 people at the last market in September. I was there and it was crammed–the antithesis of the spacious, open La Encantada holiday fair. So now for $45 you can become one of 200 VIPs and get into the market earlier. There are a bunch of other benefits beside early admission. I guess I wasn’t the only one who complained about the crowded conditions, especially the parking problem.
Visit my author’s page to see books I have published.
Share this with the world
Discover more from I saw it in Tucson
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
