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Local Event
Cost: $3 Admission, $10 additional fee to partake in wine tasting
Thunderbird Artists, producer of award-winning fine art and wine festivals, will line the banks of the Scottsdale Waterfront again this coming February, with the greatest selection of juried fine arts, fine crafts, an extensive array of wines, delectable chocolates and live musicians for the Scottsdale Waterfront Festival. The 9th Annual Waterfront Fine Art & Wine Festival will take place February 7th, 8th & 9th, 2020, from 10am to 5pm, and features mixed media/metal sculptor, Gary Moser, along with 125 world-class artists from throughout the globe.
Gary Moser doesn’t follow the typical formula for a metal artist. He had never welded previously; he was a husband, a dad and a masonry contractor. Outside of enjoying Western art, a popular genre in the southwest U.S., it never really occurred to him to take it up until he took his family on a trip to Sedona, Ariz. While exploring local shops, Moser recalled his kids randomly pointed out piece after piece, none of which looked particularly difficult to make. “I said to them, ‘Oh, I can do that.’ Well, one Christmas they bought me some clay and said, ‘Here you go, make one.’ So, over the weekend I made a horse lying down with a cowboy lying on his back with his feet up on the horse. My kids were like, ‘Oh my gosh, dad!’”
Moser’s first metal art creation was a life-size donkey made from discarded barbed wire. It was quite ambitious in its detail and size for his first crack, but it turned out really well. This gave him the confidence to continue experimenting and learning, and eventually he transitioned to sculptures of trees and ladies. His first sale was a tree sculpture, giving him his first taste of gratification that comes from seeing someone connect with his work. His work transitioned into tables and eventually developed his lady sculptures, or “his ladies” as Gary refers to them. He uses 10- or 12-gauge sheet steel that he cuts into strips, welds them, grinds the welds down until they are smooth, and, if necessary, adds texture in places. He also inlays turquoise or coral to make the steel pop. He makes bronze versions of his ladies too, but enjoys the steelwork most.
The Waterfront festival has quickly become a favorite among festival-goers as they enjoy the freedom of strolling the banks of the Waterfront District with their wine, while viewing a superior selection of juried fine arts. Patrons can also enjoy micro-brews, fine wines, spirits, delectable food, sweet treats and live music. Patrons love strolling throughout spectacular paintings, bronzes, glass, stone, copper, wood, metal, clay sculptures, photography and one-of-a-kind jewelry, mixed media sculptures, serigraphs, batiks, gourds and much more, while listening to live musical entertainment and sipping fine wines. The Scottsdale Waterfront is a beautiful venue and a superb backdrop for this upscale festival, which adds romance to the event with reflections across the waters.
Thunderbird Artists strives to invoke all the senses in every fine art event we produce; each event hosts juried fine artists, wine tasting, food and live music. We are thrilled with the lineup for talented musicians performing along the banks of the Waterfront canal this year! The headlining musician in the amphitheater is nationally recognized Violist, Teresa Joy. Her father, Esteban, world-renowned flamenco guitarist, will be joining her for special performances throughout the event. Teresa Joy is known for combining violin and dance together, she makes her instrument sing with a voice that touches hearts.
Also performing at the festival will be guitarist, Chuck Hall, Native America flutist, Vibhas Kendzia and the Ganga Jala Band. Chuck’s unique talent and uncompromising dedication to his craft have earned him accolades among fans and critics. He won “Best Blues Guitarist” in Arizona two years in a row, and his song “Young Boy” was selected Best Song by Soundboard magazine. He also was inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame in 2000. Vibhas has had the opportunity to play a traditional native flute around the Southwest for the last ten years, and has received much praise from the local Native American population, who are fascinated by his intimate feeling for this ancient instrument and the longing he expresses through it. The Ganga Jala Band encompasses vocals, guitar, percussion and bass to create a unique sound all their own. The band motto is “Taking Music to a Higher Level with ‘Mantra Rock"’.
The festival also hosts one of the largest wine tasting events in the Southwest. For $10, patrons will receive an engraved souvenir wine glass and tasting tickets, providing a unique opportunity to sample an extensive collection of domestic and imported wines, as well as ice cold micro-brews from some of the valley’s best breweries and flavored spirits.
Be sure not to miss the invigorating sounds of these talented musicians at the Waterfront Fine Art & Wine Festival, February 7th, 8th & 9th. It’s an opportunity to witness and engage with phenomenal musical and visual artists. The festival will take place at the pedestrian walkway of Scottsdale Waterfront District across from Fashion Square, 10am to 5pm each day. Admission is $3.00 and parking is free. It is a truly can’t miss event!
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Thunderbird Artists
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