Happy April!
First, I want to apologize for not sending an e-newsletter over the past few months. It’s been an incredibly busy time at the Arts Center—and we’ve all felt it!
We’ve officially wrapped Vision + Sound 2026, and it was a tremendous success. Through exhibits, performances, and programs across Sedona, Buckeye, Goodyear, Peoria, and Tolleson, we reached approximately 73,000 people.
We concluded Vision + Sound here in Sedona with our Symposium, held in partnership with the ASU Center for the Study of Race + Democracy, titled Facing the Future: The Arts and the Power of Community. This year’s Symposium may have been our best yet. It served as a powerful reminder of the importance of our work and gave us all renewed energy to truly “face the future.” Our keynote speaker, Brett Cook—an extraordinary artist from California—has led impactful residency programs that have transformed communities and touched millions of lives. It was an honor to experience his work and witness his vision firsthand.
Immediately following the Symposium, we hosted our second Sedona Entrepreneurial Artist Development (SEAD) weekend intensive. Seventeen artists participated, joined by an outstanding group of speakers: Elizabeth St. Hilaire, Carol Douglas, Jesse Petersen, Bernadette Carroll, Cristen Crujido, Kelli Klymenko, and myself. It was a dynamic, information-rich weekend—both exhausting and exhilarating for all involved. We are grateful to our program sponsors: Coconino County, the Kemper + Ethel Marley Foundation, and ONE AZ Credit Union.
This past Tuesday, we also participated in Creative Economy Day at the State Capitol. During the event, awards were presented to this year’s Legislative Champions—state legislators who have gone above and beyond to secure funding for the Arizona Commission on the Arts and to support arts policy. As a board member of AZ Citizens for the Arts, I had the privilege of coordinating the awards, which were created by artists from each recipient’s legislative district. This year’s honorees were:
- Representative Selina Bliss (District 1), with artist Ben Roti
- Representative Sarah Liquori (District 5), with artist Kristine Kollasch
- Representative Brian Garcia (District 8), with artist Sandra Luehrsen
- Senator T.J. Shope (District 16), with artist John Goodwin
Congratulations to all the award recipients and participating artists for their outstanding contributions.
A quick reminder: Tuesday is AZ Gives Day. It’s an important opportunity to reflect on the vital role the arts play in our lives. In times of uncertainty, people turn to the arts for connection, inspiration, and relief—and that’s exactly what we strive to provide every day at Sedona Arts Center.
While our school and gallery generate meaningful revenue, they cannot sustain our organization alone. We rely on the generosity of donors to continue our work. We hope you’ll consider making a gift today or participating in AZ Gives Day this Tuesday. Your support is more important than ever.
I hope to see you on campus soon!
Warmly,
Julie A. Richard
CEO, Sedona Arts Center
