Now in its 26th year, the Sedona Arts Festival features not only fine art and fine crafts but also great food, continuous live music, raffle prizes and a Kid Zone offering art projects for the younger set. Newer additions to the festival include the Sedona Sacred Arts Tent which adds a bit of the metaphysical and magical side of Sedona to the festival, as well as the Gourmet Gallery, which features locally produced and packaged kitchen and bath items including soaps, lotions, spices and jams.

Nestled in an inspirational setting, framed by the sculpted red rocks of Sedona, the Sedona Arts Festival is Sedona’s oldest and largest premiere arts event. As the weather becomes milder, our aesthetic senses awaken to this year’s array of 125 juried artists from across the country displaying their works in a variety of media, with offerings including ceramics, fiber art, glass, photography, drawing, sculpture, jewelry, wood, metal, painting, mixed media and more.

This year’s International Guest Gallery features the Oaxacan wood carvings of husband and wife Mario Castellanos Gonzalez and Reina Ramirez.

Gonzalez was born in the village of Arrazola, Oaxaca, and is a first-generation wood carver who, unlike many, did not learn this tradition from his parents. He began carving at the age of 18 out of economic necessity and began learning alongside his younger brother in their cousin’s carving workshop. Now, after having dedicated 25 years to his craft, Gonzalez is recognized around the world as one of the top wood carvers in Oaxaca.

He carves his sculptures from copal wood, often out of one solid piece. He is able to create whimsical figures full of a sense of movement, one of the ultimate signs of quality as it is so difficult to properly achieve.

Ramirez has been painting for 28 years. Her experience is reflected in the precision of her paint designs and the beautiful mixture of colors that she favors.

The couple are also the parents of three children, two of whom help them craft their carvings in the family workshop.

The animal wood carvings that are the couple’s trademark portray a sense of movement and curiosity. Their painting style reflects an expert level of shading, using a banded design format often featuring symbolism central to the Zapotec culture of Oaxaca.

The fact is attendees won’t see works by Gonzalez and Ramirez or any of the other artists represented by DeSilva Import partners Steve Thompson and Louis Rodriguez at any outdoor festival anywhere in America. The couple will be the fifth consecutive Oaxacan artists to exhibit and demonstrate their skills at the Sedona Arts Festival.

“The Sedona Arts Festival is the only outdoor festival we do,” Thompson said. “Outdoor festivals are a little harder than museum events because all the work is super fragile. But Sedona is special. We love the community and the people who are so interested and open to learning about the artists and their artwork.”

DeSilva Imports only works with artists  from small Oaxacan villages like San Martin Tilcajete, Ocotlan de Morelos and Tlacolula and Mata Ortiz in Chihuaua.

“We’re representing world class artists,” Thompson said. “In the past, Mexican folk art was known for its tourist quality; things you see all the time when you travel to Mexico. Since our company started in 2004, we’ve been going to different villages and researching different artists. We look for the best, based mostly on quality, uniqueness and the artists’ stories.”

Exceptional art, continuous live music, great food, and glorious fall weather is what makes the Sedona Arts Festival a must-see in October.

Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9. Festival admission, which covers both days, is $10 online in advance at SedonaArtsFestival.org, or $12 at the gate. Children ages 12 and under are free. The Sedona Arts Festival is a smoke-free event and only service animals are allowed. Proceeds benefit the Sedona Arts Festival Scholarship and Grant Fund which financially supports arts education in the Sedona area.

The Sedona Arts Festival is supported by the Arizona Community Foundation of Sedona, the city of Sedona, the Arizona Commission on the Arts, and the Kling Family Foundation.
For information, visit sedonaartsfestival.org or call 204-9456.