When Mark Svoboda set up as an artist at the Festival for the first time in April 2013, he and his wife Karen never envisioned the impact it would have on their lives. The couple saw the potential of the Festival—which began in 2007—offered to help it grow and have never looked back.
As a result of the Festival’s growth and success, the Svobodas opened DTMesaFest Artists Emporium in May of this year. A bricks and mortar building adjunct to the Downtown Mesa Festival of the Arts in the heart of Downtown Mesa, Artists Emporium offers a home for artists who also take part in the Festival. Nearly 50 talented artists currently rent spaces in the new store and offer a variety of art pieces and locally handcrafted items. There is a classroom that is available for rent and acrylic painting and wire wrap classes have already been held with many others in the works.
Karen Svoboda says, “Our goal for the Artists Emporium is a place where local residents as well as visitors can find unique handcrafted gifts year round. We hope to expand that down the road to engage the community more and allow for more artists to participate.”
Located at 6 N. MacDonald, Artists Emporium is open year-round from Noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday and Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Select Fridays and holidays will have varied hours so check the website. For more information, email for Artists Emporium is artistsemporium@dtmesafest.com or call 480-534-7050.
The Downtown Mesa Festival of the Arts, featuring unique artists creations music, food and fun for the whole family, opens for its 12th season on Saturday, October 5th, at Main Street and MacDonald. The 2019-2020 season events will be held on the first and third Saturdays of each month, October through April 18th during the seven months. Located in the heart of Downtown Mesa, the Festivals are Free to the public and hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The mission of the DT Mesa Fest is to provide an environment that encourages the economic and artistic growth of emerging and established artisans, while revitalizing downtown Mesa and building a sense of community. There are youth vendor and veteran vendor grants for the season and also a small fund for starving artists mini grants that has been used for emergencies. This is accomplished with DTMesaFest Artists Emporium Year Round and Downtown Mesa Festival of the Arts, October to April.
DT Mesa Fest is 100% run and organized by volunteers. If you want to be a part of something great in the community, sign up to volunteer by emailing info@dtmesafest.com.
Learn more at dtmesafest.com, on Facebook at DTMesaFest on Twitter @DTMesaFest or at Instagram dtmesafest. For more information, including artist participation, email info@dtmesafest.com or call 480-534-7050.