“Covid 19 has disproportionately affected the ability of artists to make and sell their work in the community" according to, Kate Marquez, Executive Director of the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (“SAACA”), speaking at last week’s Oro Valley Town Council meeting.
To help with this, SAACA has focused on keeping events and activities open during this most difficult two-year period. “Our response has been to continue to collaborate….There is a lot of healing that needs to happen in the next few years. Our programs will address that.”
Collaboration with Oro Valley has flourished
Marques discussed a number of areas where SAACA has been working with Oro Valley. “Our collaboration with Oro Valley has really been able to flourish this past year.” (See panel below-right).
Marquez highlighted the photography competition
And the mural program
Marquez also discussed the Oro Valley mural program. We wrote previously about the “Dream It, Then Do It” mural at James D Kreigh Park. According the Marquez, “Over 100 people’s dreams are painted into that mural.” Also a “Welcome to Oro Valley” mural was created in cooperation with TENWEST, Visit Tucson and The Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce. “There are many more murals to come.”
Many other Oro Valley focussed activities
Marquez: The future is bright
As we look forward, quote “We anticipate a doubling of artist-based businesses in Oro Valley.” According to Marquez, there are a lot of people who are leaving their jobs and going to work for themselves in artist-based businesses.
"There is a lot of healing that needs to happen in the next few years. Our programs will address that.”
Council thanks SAACA
Collaboration with Oro Valley has flourished
Marques discussed a number of areas where SAACA has been working with Oro Valley. “Our collaboration with Oro Valley has really been able to flourish this past year.” (See panel below-right).
Over 400 images were submitted. Winners were announced last spring. “The community submitted imagery that capture the essence of Oro Valley life, animals, outdoor spaces, urban and residential life and experience within the community.” They have a website under development to view these photos.
And the mural program
Marquez also discussed the Oro Valley mural program. We wrote previously about the “Dream It, Then Do It” mural at James D Kreigh Park. According the Marquez, “Over 100 people’s dreams are painted into that mural.” Also a “Welcome to Oro Valley” mural was created in cooperation with TENWEST, Visit Tucson and The Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce. “There are many more murals to come.”
Many other Oro Valley focussed activities
- Coloring Book: This summer, SAACA will be launching a new coloring book made by local artisans.
- SAACA sponsored the town’s digital and virtual holiday tree lighting. 3,000 people attended the tree lighting. 20,000 attended the holiday festival. The total sales of participating artists, exhibitors and vendors was nearly $450,000. That set an all time record. “People are back investing in artists and arts.”
- SAACA hosted a fall artisan market this year. Estimated attendance was over 4,000 people with average sales of nearly $2000 per artist. “These opportunities not only mean business for artists but stimulate economic and tourism growth.”
- They resumed in person concerts. The music series is very popular. “Our phone rings at least ten times a week with people asking for music in Oro Valley.”
- Ventana gallery at Roche Tissue Diagnostics features over $750,000 in public art.
As we look forward, quote “We anticipate a doubling of artist-based businesses in Oro Valley.” According to Marquez, there are a lot of people who are leaving their jobs and going to work for themselves in artist-based businesses.
"There is a lot of healing that needs to happen in the next few years. Our programs will address that.”
Council thanks SAACA
Council Member Mo Green observed that SAACA started as an Oro Valley organization called the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council (“GOVAC”). He thanked Marquez for her hard work in making SAACA a significant organization for all of Southern Arizona.
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About SAACA
The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (“SAACA”) is a non profit organization that creates collaborative arts-driven experiences which strengthen the bonds between people, place and purpose. The organization was started in Oro Valley in 1997. They do many things. Most visible is the public art that we see throughout the community. You may have seen them in the Tucson Mall where they have a “Catalyst Arts and Maker Space.”
The highest percentage of artist and maker small businesses in Arizona, those who actually make a living off to their work, live in Oro Valley.
SAACA grew from the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council (“GOVAC”). GOVAC increased its scope to include all of Southern Arizona and changed its name in 2011. The Towns of Oro Valley, Patagonia and Sahuarita contribute to the funding of SAACA.
Learn more at saaca.org
