For sculpture artist Laura Lee Stay, blocks of stone and clay hold rich stories waiting to be told, and she uses these materials to portray snapshots of life in 3D. A lifelong artist, Laura Lee actually started out painting, but only because she had yet to be introduced to sculpture.
Month: February 2026
Art Discovery: Wide Open Spaces
Discover how artists Tina Roy, Becky Pashia and Matt Sievers capture stunning vistas, moody storms and awe-inspiring sunsets and translate them onto the canvas.
Meet the Artist: Peter Mathios paints windows to nature
Peter Mathios developed a deep connection to nature at a young age, and when he wasn’t out exploring it, he was daydreaming about it and drawing it. Over the years, Peter has honed his ability to create highly realistic works that draw the viewer into the scene––allowing them to feel the essence and energy of the place.
Art Discovery: Bold Moves
From reflective surfaces to salvaged felt to reverse-engineered acrylic paint, these artists go for bold media choices to express their artistic vision and create the unexpected. Learn how Brit Hansen, Sundie Ruppert and Cary Henrie make bold media come to life.
In The News: Fox 10’s Cory McCloskey Visits the Celebration
Where in the world is Cory McCloskey? He’s at the Celebration of Fine Art! See what happens when Cory takes a spin around the tents with show director Susan Morrow Potje and which artists he meets along the way!
Meet the Artist: Bethany Robert’s art takes cues from the textures of life
Artist Bethany Robert finds inspiration in the most unlikely places. It might be a plaster wall patinaed by history, handmade paper, textile, or urban “hieroglyphs” spray painted on a building. It’s the texture of life and it all becomes the foundation for her layered, mixed-media abstract paintings.
Art Discovery: Museum Magic
Museums hold some of the world’s most treasured stories, but what makes an exhibition truly memorable? Hear from Western Spirit Museum’s chief curator and the president of Scottsdale Arts as they reveal what goes into creating compelling, dynamic museum experiences.
Meet the Artist: Michael Paul captures the soul of the American West
For art photographer Michael Paul, it started as a love affair with American history, specifically the American West, then evolved into capturing and retelling its story through the eye of the lens. Over the past 15 years, Michael has traveled nearly 30,000 miles annually, capturing the unfolding of this story––its beauty and its truth.
In the News: Western Art & Architecture Collector’s Eye
In the February/March 2026 issue of Western Art & Architecture, editor Shari Morrison caught up with Susan and Jake Potje to learn about the history of the Celebration of Fine Art and get a few of their art collection tips. See the full article below, or read it on the Western Art & Architecture website.
Meet the Artist: Erica Iman forms art from raw, earthen materials
Erica Iman’s sculptural vessels, paintings and ceramic wall pieces go miles beyond the visual surface. They feel rooted or deeply connected to the earth somehow. They evoke a sense of calm and peace, perhaps because they are made of the very materials from which we all originated: Earth.