Art takes center stage in Arizona wine country

Plan for fall when the Arizona Wine Country Artists Village brings back its premier juried fine art and fine craft fair to the Verde Valley.

The outdoor event will take place over the weekend of Oct. 9–11, running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Hosted by the city of Cottonwood at the Old Town Activity Park, the gathering is organized and promoted by Jerome-based artists John and Lauri Maeder. The fair is designed to bring together outstanding local and regional makers in a walkable, vibrant community setting.

Visitors can immerse themselves in live artistic creation, discover the unique processes and technical stories behind the work and collect original pieces directly from independent creators.

Admission is free, and the venue welcomes pets.

Old Town Activity Park is located just off Main Street at 187 E. Pima Street. While the event itself does not feature on-site alcohol sales or tasting booths, its central location places it within brief walking distance of more than a dozen local restaurants, galleries, shops and lodging.

Situated inside the federally recognized Verde Valley American Viticultural Area, Cottonwood serves as a prominent wine tourism destination, surrounding the art fair with a rich variety of nearby vineyard tasting rooms — including Tool frontman Maynard Keenan’s production and tasting facility.

The Arizona Wine Country Artists Village was established in the fall of 2024. The fair takes place four times a year. Following the feature fair in October, the village will host an additional autumn show Nov. 20–22.

Visit https://artists-village.com.