Free Mesa Arts Festival Set for This Weekend

Mesa Arts Center's campus will offer a spirited and unique holiday experience this weekend, December 12 and 13, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day for the Mesa Arts Festival. The free annual festival will feature original works of art for sale from local, regional and national artists in various mediums, live entertainment showcasing local and national talent on two stages, live artist demonstrations, a family activity area and an array of culinary delights.

The event invites the entire family to get in the holiday spirit, get shopping crossed off the list and do it all while enjoying art and entertainment. One-of-a-kind items will be plentiful, and performance artists from Rachel Bowditch's Vessel collaboration titled "Spectrum," will be interacting with the crowds and offering photo opportunities. Courtesy of Bookmans, children may enjoy free activities such as painting a ceramic ornament, making a pine cone craft, listening to a Bookmans Book Pals Storyteller and many other activities.

Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum's five gallery spaces will be open, as well as The Store, MAC Artists' Cooperative Gallery. Artist demonstrations in ceramics, glass blowing, blacksmithing, weaving, quilting, jewelry making, painting and printmaking will take place at various times throughout the festival, and festival-goers will be able to try their hand at many of the classes offered at Mesa Arts Center. C'est La Vie Quartet and Red Mountain High School will sing carols across campus, and juggler James Reid will complement the two music stages at opposite ends of the campus.

Mesa Arts Center is located at One East Main Street in downtown Mesa. There is no charge to attend the Mesa Arts Festival, and parking is free. More information can be found at MesaArtsCenter.com or by calling 480-644-6620.