top of page
The Tubac Festival
of The Arts
Click Each Image for Details
Tubac Festival of the Arts 1960 through 1969
Caption: Fr. Pat Callanan, William Morrow, Sid Cedargreen and Ross Stefan standing in front of the Tubac Art Center.
The first annual Tubac Festival of the Arts in 1960 was sponsored by the newly formed Tubac Chamber of Commerce.
According to the Chamber's News Bulletin, the objective of the festival was to "provide the public the opportunity to enjoy the creative efforts of the local artists and to extend a welcome invitation to those interested in locating and working in the valley."
The 1960 Festival was held at Sid Cedargreen's gallery and studio he called, "The Tubac Art Center" from February 6 - 21 with 25 artists and craftsmen from amateur to professional status.
The first annual Tubac Festival of the Arts in 1960 was sponsored by the newly formed Tubac Chamber of Commerce.
According to the Chamber's News Bulletin, the objective of the festival was to "provide the public the opportunity to enjoy the creative efforts of the local artists and to extend a welcome invitation to those interested in locating and working in the valley."
The 1960 Festival was held at Sid Cedargreen's gallery and studio he called, "The Tubac Art Center" from February 6 - 21 with 25 artists and craftsmen from amateur to professional status.
1960-1969
Caption: Advertisement for the First Annual Festival
The second annual Festival was the first to give awards, with Bing Crosby donating the $150 prize to Tubac resident El Meyer for his watercolor, "Ahead of the Storm."
The second annual Festival was the first to give awards, with Bing Crosby donating the $150 prize to Tubac resident El Meyer for his watercolor, "Ahead of the Storm."
1960-1969
Caption: First Annual Festival of the Arts brochure
After the chamber had sponsored the Festival for 3 years, the responsibility was turned over to the newly formed Santa Cruz Valley Art Association.
After the chamber had sponsored the Festival for 3 years, the responsibility was turned over to the newly formed Santa Cruz Valley Art Association.
1960-1969
Caption: Advertisement for Sixth Annual Festival 1965
At the 1965 Festival, Tubac resident Will Rogers, Jr. performed rope tricks and sang original ballads of Tubac's history.
At the 1965 Festival, Tubac resident Will Rogers, Jr. performed rope tricks and sang original ballads of Tubac's history.
1960-1969
Caption: Dale Nichols Festival poster 1969
By 1968, the Festival had broken records - attendance increased from 1,000 in 1960 to 10,000 in 1969 and according to the Green Valley News, the "10th annual Festival of the Arts … put Tubac on the map."
By 1968, the Festival had broken records - attendance increased from 1,000 in 1960 to 10,000 in 1969 and according to the Green Valley News, the "10th annual Festival of the Arts … put Tubac on the map."
Tubac Festival of the Arts 1970 through 1979
Caption: Ted DeGrazia cutting the ribbon for the 1970 Festival
The second decade of the Tubac Festival of the Arts continued to grow exponentially in attendance, in the number of participating local and international artists and in the addition of non art events.
In 1970, internationally known artist Ted DeGrazia, was asked to perform the ribbon cutting to open the Festival. Sculptor Harold Wilson suggested awarding a "best artist" of the show a Masters Meed medallion borrowed from the time of the early renaissance when Charlemagne gave rewards for outstanding work in craftsmanship.
The second decade of the Tubac Festival of the Arts continued to grow exponentially in attendance, in the number of participating local and international artists and in the addition of non art events.
In 1970, internationally known artist Ted DeGrazia, was asked to perform the ribbon cutting to open the Festival. Sculptor Harold Wilson suggested awarding a "best artist" of the show a Masters Meed medallion borrowed from the time of the early renaissance when Charlemagne gave rewards for outstanding work in craftsmanship.
1970-1979
Caption: New Tubac Center of the Arts 1972
Harold Wilson later designed and created the model for the Tubac Center of the Arts in October 1972. The new arts center hosted the juried show of the Festival throughout the 1970s, while St. Ann's Hall exhibited the Member Show and the Children's Art Exhibit.
Harold Wilson later designed and created the model for the Tubac Center of the Arts in October 1972. The new arts center hosted the juried show of the Festival throughout the 1970s, while St. Ann's Hall exhibited the Member Show and the Children's Art Exhibit.
1970-1979
Caption: Festival of the Arts program 1970
In 1974, a controversy arose between some local merchants and artists and the Tubac Center of the Arts board of directors. In October, the Green Valley News announced an agreement not to hold the Festival because "it's just too much work," but in November, the board unanimously voted that the Festival would continue.
In 1974, a controversy arose between some local merchants and artists and the Tubac Center of the Arts board of directors. In October, the Green Valley News announced an agreement not to hold the Festival because "it's just too much work," but in November, the board unanimously voted that the Festival would continue.
1970-1979
Caption: Festival of the Arts advertisement 1975
In 1976, a Tubac Village Council was established in a joint venture with the Santa Cruz Valley Art Association in the planning and execution of the ever-growing Festival.
In 1976, a Tubac Village Council was established in a joint venture with the Santa Cruz Valley Art Association in the planning and execution of the ever-growing Festival.
1970-1979
Caption: Cartoon for the 1978 Festival
In 1978, the village adopted the theme "Where Art and History Meet" and by the end of the decade attendance had grown to a record 20,000 visitors.
In 1978, the village adopted the theme "Where Art and History Meet" and by the end of the decade attendance had grown to a record 20,000 visitors.
Tubac Festival of the Arts 1980 through 1989
Caption: Steiger Festival Banner
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, local fabric artist Harwood Steiger created publicity banners for the Tubac Festival of the Arts. The banners were hung inside and outside Village galleries.
In 1980 more than 100 children from the Tubac School painted designs on fabric and wore them as they marched around town on opening day of the Festival. The children's paintings were then hung at St. Ann's following the walk. Also in 1980, the Tubac Center of the Arts was expanded thanks to a generous gift from Mrs.G. Wendell Smith.
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, local fabric artist Harwood Steiger created publicity banners for the Tubac Festival of the Arts. The banners were hung inside and outside Village galleries.
In 1980 more than 100 children from the Tubac School painted designs on fabric and wore them as they marched around town on opening day of the Festival. The children's paintings were then hung at St. Ann's following the walk. Also in 1980, the Tubac Center of the Arts was expanded thanks to a generous gift from Mrs.G. Wendell Smith.
1980-1989
Caption: Virginia Hall's Festival Poster 1983
In 1982 and 1983 a special event was added to the Festival of the Arts. The children of the Tubac School presented a pageant based on the historical trek Captain Juan Bautista de Anza tool from Tubac in October 1775 to colonize the San Francisco area in California.
In 1982 and 1983 a special event was added to the Festival of the Arts. The children of the Tubac School presented a pageant based on the historical trek Captain Juan Bautista de Anza tool from Tubac in October 1775 to colonize the San Francisco area in California.
1980-1989
Caption: Gary King's Festival poster 1984
In 1984, a poster contest was started inviting local artists and children to submit prototypes for the official Festival of the Arts poster. The Historical Society has fortunate to have several of these original submissions as well as photos of the entries that were on display at the Tubac Center of the Arts.
In 1984, a poster contest was started inviting local artists and children to submit prototypes for the official Festival of the Arts poster. The Historical Society has fortunate to have several of these original submissions as well as photos of the entries that were on display at the Tubac Center of the Arts.
1980-1989
Caption: Trudi Fletcher's Festival contest submission 1984
1980-1989
Caption: Trudi Fletcher Festival poster 1989
A new controversy arose in 1988. The new Tubac Chamber of Commerce had taken back sponsorship of the Festival from the Santa Cruz Valley Art Association, but a new local group called the Tubac Artists Merchants Craftsmen Association planned to hold a separate festival at the same time.
By 1989, the attendance had steadily increased from 30,000 to 100,000 visitors.
A new controversy arose in 1988. The new Tubac Chamber of Commerce had taken back sponsorship of the Festival from the Santa Cruz Valley Art Association, but a new local group called the Tubac Artists Merchants Craftsmen Association planned to hold a separate festival at the same time.
By 1989, the attendance had steadily increased from 30,000 to 100,000 visitors.
Tubac Festival of the Arts 1990 through 1999
Caption: Festival of the Arts 1995
This decade began with another controversy. According to a Southern Arizona Trails, June 1990 article, "Businesses in Tubac were polled recently [by the Tubac Chamber of Commerce] and, surprisingly, 15 out of 56 responses found nothing good about the Festival of the Arts last February," despite what many considered to be a supremely successful festival. One of the issues was the length of the festival and several suggested shortening the event from 9 to 3 or 5 days.
Again in July of 1991, the question of whether Tubac would have an official Festival of the Arts arose. The Tubac Chamber of Commerce announced it would no longer support the event because a competing event on Camino Otero sponsored by local merchants had become "just too much for the village to handle; and had created a "carnival midway atmosphere."
This decade began with another controversy. According to a Southern Arizona Trails, June 1990 article, "Businesses in Tubac were polled recently [by the Tubac Chamber of Commerce] and, surprisingly, 15 out of 56 responses found nothing good about the Festival of the Arts last February," despite what many considered to be a supremely successful festival. One of the issues was the length of the festival and several suggested shortening the event from 9 to 3 or 5 days.
Again in July of 1991, the question of whether Tubac would have an official Festival of the Arts arose. The Tubac Chamber of Commerce announced it would no longer support the event because a competing event on Camino Otero sponsored by local merchants had become "just too much for the village to handle; and had created a "carnival midway atmosphere."
1990-1999
Caption: Festival Booths
The Festival did indeed continue each year of the decade and by 1996 the co-directors for the first time in Festival history invited Native American artists to display their work.
The Festival did indeed continue each year of the decade and by 1996 the co-directors for the first time in Festival history invited Native American artists to display their work.
1990-1999
Caption: Festival Poster 1995, courtesy of Sandy Howerter
In July 1997, the Tubac Chamber of Commerce addressed a number of issues with emphasis on returning the Festival to its Tubac, Santa Cruz County roots, showcasing local artists, artisans and shop owners; a return to volunteerism; and fund-raising potential for non-profit organization participation. Again they discussed and decided on shortening the festival from 9 to 4 days.
In July 1997, the Tubac Chamber of Commerce addressed a number of issues with emphasis on returning the Festival to its Tubac, Santa Cruz County roots, showcasing local artists, artisans and shop owners; a return to volunteerism; and fund-raising potential for non-profit organization participation. Again they discussed and decided on shortening the festival from 9 to 4 days.
1990-1999
Caption: Festival Announcement 1988
But the 1998 Festival ended up running two weekends, February 5-8 and 12-15. However, controversy still lingered and derogatory signs and leaflets were posted or distributed in the village during the Festival. This dispute led to the Chamber board resigning en masse.
But the 1998 Festival ended up running two weekends, February 5-8 and 12-15. However, controversy still lingered and derogatory signs and leaflets were posted or distributed in the village during the Festival. This dispute led to the Chamber board resigning en masse.
1990-1999
Caption: Festival Newspaper Clipping 1999
By 1990 at the end of a 9-day Festival of 125 visiting artists, the new Tubac Chamber of Commerce board declared it a financial success and the issues seemed to be resolved.
The 1999 Festival also marked the beginning of 11 straight years of Amado Pena posters advertising the Tubac Festival of the Arts.
By 1990 at the end of a 9-day Festival of 125 visiting artists, the new Tubac Chamber of Commerce board declared it a financial success and the issues seemed to be resolved.
The 1999 Festival also marked the beginning of 11 straight years of Amado Pena posters advertising the Tubac Festival of the Arts.
Tubac Festival of the Arts 2000 through 2009
Caption: Amado Pena Jr.'s Festival poster 2000
This first decade of the new millennium brought a sameness to the Festival advertising posters; for the entire decade, Santa Fe painter Amado Pena, Jr. won the contest for the Festival's poster design.
In 2000, the decade began with another successful Festival sponsored by the Tubac Chamber of Commerce. Three free horse and mule drawn wagons shuttled visitors throughout the town. The 125 visiting artists joined 80 local artists.
This first decade of the new millennium brought a sameness to the Festival advertising posters; for the entire decade, Santa Fe painter Amado Pena, Jr. won the contest for the Festival's poster design.
In 2000, the decade began with another successful Festival sponsored by the Tubac Chamber of Commerce. Three free horse and mule drawn wagons shuttled visitors throughout the town. The 125 visiting artists joined 80 local artists.
2000-2009
Caption: Amado Pena posters for sale
2000-2009
Caption: Amado Pena Jr.'s Festival poster 2003
In December 2000, the Chamber hired two Festival managers, adopted revised bylaws and resolved parking and package mailing issues. In July 2001, the Chamber met again to discuss marketing efforts resulting in invitations mailed to 4,000 artists and exhibitors. The new Chamber director called for unity in the village which had been split over whether the festival should be 14 days or 4 days long.
In December 2000, the Chamber hired two Festival managers, adopted revised bylaws and resolved parking and package mailing issues. In July 2001, the Chamber met again to discuss marketing efforts resulting in invitations mailed to 4,000 artists and exhibitors. The new Chamber director called for unity in the village which had been split over whether the festival should be 14 days or 4 days long.
2000-2009
Caption: Festival of the Arts 2005
In 2003, more than 200 visiting artists participated and in 2005 more than 170 artists and craftsmen came to the Festival.
In 2003, more than 200 visiting artists participated and in 2005 more than 170 artists and craftsmen came to the Festival.
2000-2009
Caption: Amado Pena Jr.'s Festival poster 2009
In 2007, a new controversy arose over the location of Festival booths with some merchants prohibiting booths in front of their stores. The booths were moved, however merchants sued to have the Festival canceled. The judge ruled in the Chamber's favor and the Festival continued.
In 2007, a new controversy arose over the location of Festival booths with some merchants prohibiting booths in front of their stores. The booths were moved, however merchants sued to have the Festival canceled. The judge ruled in the Chamber's favor and the Festival continued.
bottom of page