This undated file photo shows an artist participating in a creek-side painting at the Sedona Plein Air Festival. This year’s festival is scheduled from Saturday October 23 through Saturday October 30, 2021 in Sedona. (Bravo file photo)

The Sedona Arts Center invites residents of Verde Valley to be inspired and experience master painting in Southwestern Shangri-La.

Sedona is a sublime and incredibly beautiful environment, steeped in the history of art. The Sedona Arts Center dates back 63 years to the founding of Sedona’s identity as an “arts colony.”

The community’s iconic and wonderfully creative event – Sedona Plein Air Festival – is a week-long celebration of extraordinary landscapes, world-renowned artists, unique workshops and wonderful free events.

Last year, the festival celebrated Women’s Year at Sedona Arts Center, recognizing the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment. Due to COVID-19, the format has changed to a virtual festival, which has led to unique works from various fields displayed in our online gallery.

This year the festival is back in person and integrated into a rich set of outdoor workshop offerings. The main workshop with Michele Usibelli is scheduled during festival week, October 26-29, offering a chance to experience festival work and special events while studying with a master of the medium.

Usibelli’s opening speech is scheduled for Wednesday, October 27 at 7 p.m. Around the festival, outdoor workshops are also offered! At the end of the festival week, Usibell will hand out special prizes.

For more information, call 928-282-3865 or visit sedonaartscenter.org.

Information provided by the Sedona Arts Center.