Discover New Artists

The Store at Mesa Arts Center announces a Showcase Sale featuring work by advanced students, advanced former students, instructors, & artists in residence. The public's invited to discover new & emerging artists who use the Art Studios at Mesa Arts Center on April 20th, from 6 - 8 pm for FREE. The evening features artist demos, music, & light hors d'oeuvres. The Store at the Mesa Arts Center benefits the Mesa Arts Center Foundation & is located at 1 E. Main St. in Mesa.

The Store at Mesa Arts Center is proud to announce Student & Artist Showcase sale featuring glass, ceramic, jewelry & other work. The Store's excited to showcase this artwork, "The artists & students of Mesa Arts Center provide a unique resource for new collectors to discover emerging artists" says Andrea Robinson Buyer/Manager for the Store at Mesa Arts Center.

Students at Mesa Arts Center have a distinctive opportunity to learn from instructors who are often established artists themselves. Jessica Calderwood (metals & jewelry instructor) Roberto Matteo (glass, former artist in residence & part-time instructor) Eli Aller (glass artist in residence) have all been featured in galleries & museums.

For the student artists, classes at Mesa Arts Center provide an outlet for positive creative expression. For Brenda Ashley, classes at Mesa Arts Center were life changing. "The day Mesa Arts Center opened changed by life." Ashley, who is currently enrolled in ceramics classes & also volunteers time as a studio aid & usher, was a recluse for 15 years.

She now holds a full time job, but 3 - 4 times a week she makes trips to Mesa Arts Center to be a part of the place that served as a catalyst for her re-integration. "The Mesa Arts Center opened my eyes & soul, now I can not get enough, always drawing out my ideas, reading, & looking for new ways to incorporate art into my life" relates Ashley. Her work's currently on display & for sale at The Store.

The instructors at Mesa Arts Center are highly qualified, with bachelors or master's degrees in their respective fields & have prior experience teaching community education classes. Many of established artists travel from throughout the valley to utilize Mesa Arts Center's state of the art studios & equipment. For newer artists, selling their work in The Store is a precursor to obtaining gallery representation. Artist/Instructor Roberto Matteo says "It's an obvious step in the evolution of the Center. The store's a link between the classrooms & the public. For some students, it is their 1st experience selling their work in a gallery-like atmosphere. For instructors, it is an opportunity to showcase their work not only through their own artwork but the talent & skill of their students."