The Sonoran Arts League is as much about being a vital member of the community as it is about thriving in a region beautiful enough to bring the creativity of its members to a new level.
Community Outreach
Youth Mentoring
Youth field trips are organized by SAL. In-school artist's demonstrations, workshops, one-on-one work with individual students, YouthArt Program, and work through Free Arts Arizona (www.freeartsaz.org) with homeless and abused children are all part of SAL's youth program.
Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded annually to worthy young talented students to help them in the pursuit of their art careers. Donations directly to the Scholarship Fund are frequent and are encouraged from members and the community.
Youth Art Exhibit
A youth art exhibit is the first stop in the Hidden in the Hills Studio Tour. Students from Cave Creek schools and from throughout the Valley are able to exhibit their creations at this tour stop. The students may sell their works, with thirty percent of the proceeds going to the Scholarship Fund.
Education
A mission of SAL's early incarnation as the Cave Creek Crafts Council was to enhance arts programs in the schools. When funding for arts programs for the schools was cut the local artists pitched in by purchasing needed equipment. SAL members continue to support the schools and promote a love of art among young people. The potential healing value of art and its creation is widely recognized and is nurtured by league and member activities.
Empty Bowls
SAL participates every October in the Empty Bowls Project. The mission of Empty Bowls National is to help feed the homeless and the hungry. Local artists and volunteers make bowls that are filled with food and then sold on World Hunger Day. (The food in the bowls is similar in calories to what a homeless person would eat in a day.)
Empty Bowls has grown tremendously over the years and is now a stand-alone event at el Pedregal and raises over $18,000 annually for the Foothills Community Food Bank.
SAL Activities
The Hidden in the Hills Studio Tour
HITH is a venue that allows for taking those who appreciate art directly to its creators. In typical League fashion this studio tour is about making artists more a part of the community. Memberartists in Cave Creek, Carefree and north Scottsdale open their studios to the public on the tour weekends.
This venue, which allows art lovers to commingle with the artists and actually see art being made, is very popular. It is also an opportunity for art patrons to purchase works directly from the artists.
This annual event is traditionally held the weekend before and the weekend after Thanksgiving. The studios of over 50 artists are open during Hidden in the Hills with over 100 additional artists as guest exhibitors at these studios.
Exhibits
A revolving exhibit of SAL's artists' work is displayed at Harris Bank, the Winfield Community Center and other public places and community venues. SAL also sponsors youth art exhibits.
Art in the Park
Art in the Park is designed to promote community art awareness and allows the artist to provide the general public with hands-on demonstrations of their work.
Workshops and Seminars
SAL sponsors guest speakers and demonstrations on many art topics to nurture and to expand the artistic skills and spirit of all members and the community.Board meetings are held the last Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm at the Good Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church, 6502 East Cave Creek Road. Agendas and minutes are available on request. Board meetings are open to all members.
ArtTalk
Each Tuesday, members meet for breakfast at 8:30 am at the Good Egg, SW corner of Scottsdale Road and Carefree Highway. All members are welcome to come and enjoy the informal discussions.
Sketch Group
Each Tuesday (after ArtTalk) members gather at various inspirational locations to develop and nurture the artistic skills through plein-air group sketching.
SAL Publications
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The League publishes its Artfare newsletter on a monthly basis. Articles are solicited from all members. Our annual Hidden in the Hills Artist Directory is published in November. |
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A one page Membership Phone/Email List is published in the June newsletter. |
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Free listing of key information for all members: www.SonoranArtsLeague.org/members.html |
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Web site: www.SonoranArtsLeague.org. This is a one-stop-shop for nearly all league information. Board members, chairs and general members, names/addresses can be found on the web-site. Advertising is available to member artists on the Site. |
