Making Masterpieces

Show director Susan Morrow Potje on the magic of the Celebration of Fine Art

By Kaylor Jones / Photos by Claudia Johnstone

For over 30 years, Valley residents have looked forward to seeing the “big white tents” go up every year, signaling the start of the highly-anticipated Celebration of Fine Art in North Scottsdale. To show director and co-owner Susan Morrow Potje, it’s much more than just a local tradition – it’s part of a rich family legacy.

“When my dad and stepmom, Tom and Ann Morrow, started the Celebration of Fine Art in 1991, I helped where I could, but the culture and community that bloomed there quickly consumed me. I knew I had found my place,” Morrow Potje says. “In 2004, my husband, Jake, and I took over the reins officially, and we’ve worked every day since to uphold the legacy that my family built more than three decades ago.”

Morrow Potje fondly remembers growing up in a household that placed great importance on art. “I was exposed to art of all genres, mediums and time periods at a young age, whether it was through museum visits, art festivals, public installations, watching my grandfather paint and sculpt or the artwork my parents began to collect,” she says.

The Nebraska native has called Arizona home since 1982, when her love affair with the desert landscape and incredible sunsets first began. In college, she studied accounting before eventually serving as a national trainer for consultants, as well as an associate at a skincare, cosmetics, health and image company.

Connection & Creativity

When Morrow Potje’s father and stepmom first conceived of a new kind of art show in Scottsdale – one that combined the traditional art show with interactive working studios, inspired by the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts – hundreds of artists were eager to participate.

“We were the first to bring this interactive model to Scottsdale. At the time, there wasn’t a place where art lovers could see the artists at work, learn about their process, and watch as their work progressed over the course of 10 weeks,” she says. “But what truly makes the Celebration of Fine Art different is the spirit of connection here. It’s a very welcoming and collaborative environment, and that’s what I believe has led to the Celebration of Fine Art becoming Scottsdale’s longest-running art show and working artist studio.”

Though many things have changed since the first show in 1991 – including upgrading from bare dirt to practical flooring and increasing the variety of artwork on display – the sight of those big white tents still evokes the same magical feelings, Morrow Potje says. Since she and her husband took the reins in 2004, it’s been her goal to preserve those feelings for the tens of thousands of people who pay them a visit each year.

“The Celebration of Fine Art truly has an uncanny ability to uplift nearly anyone who passes through the doors,” she says. “There’s a real spirit of connection here as artists and art lovers share stories, learn from each other, or simply admire the creativity flowing through the tent.”

Leaving a Lasting Legacy

Now in its 35th year, the Celebration of Fine Art will take place daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Jan. 18 to March 30 on the southwest corner of Hayden Road and Mayo Boulevard. Tickets serve as a season pass that allow entry throughout the 10-week show and sale—all the better to explore the 40,000-square-foot space and enjoy the continual evolution of the art being created before visitors’ eyes.

“We’ll have 100 fine art artists from around the world – some amazing new artists and many returning favorites. There will be something for everyone here, whether it’s contemporary art, jewelry, Western art, sculpture, glass, wood or copper,” Morrow Potje says. “We also have a beautiful sculpture garden set against the backdrop of the McDowell Mountains. It’s a beautiful environment to sit and take in art and the natural beauty of the surrounding desert.”

Another of Morrow Potje’s personal favorite features, the Art Discovery Series, takes place every Friday at 4 p.m. Visitors can attend themed panel discussions and artist demonstrations, learning the stories and techniques behind the creation of fine art while enjoying wine and light bites. There’s also Art After Dark, during which the show stays open late so attendees can connect with friends old and new over delicious food.

“I have pinch-myself moments every day,” Morrow Potje says. “During the show, it’s when I get to see the faces of visitors light up as they discover new art for the first time. Or the countless handwritten notes we’ve received about how uplifting the show or a specific piece of art was. Or watching new life-long connections and friendships forming, whether it’s between artists or an artist and a new collector.”

For Morrow Potje, the show is a culmination of over a year’s worth of effort from her and a dedicated team, who epitomize the spirit of comradery and connection that make the Celebration of Fine Art so special.

“It’s this sense of place we’ve been able to create that keeps this wonderful community alive and coming back year after year,” she says. “That’s the legacy I hope to leave behind – an uplifting and joyous community that is connected through the celebration of art of all kinds.”

To learn more, purchase tickets, and explore artist profiles and galleries, visit www.celebrateart.com.