More than 100 artists are expected to gather at the Wigwam Resort in February when the Wigwam Fine Art Festival returns, transforming the resort’s front lawn into an open-air gallery featuring work from across the country.
The festival, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 13–15 at the Wigwam Resort, 300 E. Wigwam Blvd., will feature jury-selected artists working in Western, traditional, contemporary and Native American styles. Admission is free.
The upcoming event follows the resort’s recent Holiday Festival of Arts, a three-day, farmers market–style showcase that welcomed visitors to browse about 60 artist booths spread across the property. Artists offered work in a wide range of media, including copper, painting, jewelry, pressed-flower art, carvings and mixed-media pieces, while guests strolled the grounds and spoke directly with creators.
Among the participating artists was Scott Palmer of Copper Phoenix Studio, a Mesa-based artist who works full time with copper. Palmer displayed hand-shaped copper wall art treated with patinas, a chemical process that alters the metal’s surface to create flowing color and texture. Each piece is produced individually.
Palmer said his path to copper was unexpected. He began his career as an abstract and impressionistic painter before being introduced to the medium through friends who worked in copper.
“They saw my work and hired me to do some painted pieces for them,” Palmer said. “Then I started helping with their copper work, and I learned a lot about copper.”
While his friends primarily used torch-fired techniques, Palmer gravitated toward patinas, which chemically alter copper to create natural color variations.
“I wanted to work with patinas, where the copper actually changes color,” he said. “It just turned into a really cool thing that ended up being, 14 years later, my full-time career.”
Palmer said festivals like the Wigwam events play an important role in sustaining artists by creating opportunities for direct connection with buyers.
“For me, it’s direct access to the customer,” he said. “In galleries, I don’t get to meet the people buying my work.”
Those interactions often lead to custom commissions, as visitors discuss their homes and the spaces they are looking to fill. Palmer added that community-based art festivals also help keep interest in fine art alive, particularly among younger audiences.
“When I sell my work to younger couples, it’s always such a huge boost for me,” he said. “If people don’t have an opportunity to see art, they’re probably not going to go to a gallery. These kinds of festivals help reignite that.”
While parting with his work was once difficult, Palmer said he now views selling his pieces as part of the creative cycle.
“I would rather have someone have my work in their home and that brings them joy,” he said. “That’s what makes it meaningful.”
The Wigwam Fine Art Festival is expected to include works from artists like Palmer ranging from copper work, canvas paintings and mixed-media pieces to hand-blown glass, ceramics and large-scale sculptures.
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James Goldmeer Reporter | Goodyear & Litchfield Park
Meet James James Goldmeer joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2024, starting their career as a reporter in Goodyear and Litchfield Park.
Community: James grew up in the West Valley, calling Avondale home and going to school in Glendale and Peoria. Returning to the community after university, James plans to get involved in everything arts and culture, and civil rights.
Education: Northern Arizona University a bachelor's degree in Journalism, a certificate in Professional Communications, with a minor in English.
Random Fact: James spent half a year as an intern for the Arizona House of Representatives communication team, working with legislators to inform the public through press releases and social media.
Hobbies: James collects postcards and old books, reads memoirs and attends local jazz shows.
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