18 Nov 20th-Nov 26th, 2025 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Open Houses Hidden in the Hills art studio tour returns this month. BY GERI KOEPPEL W hether you’re a fine art appreciator or simply art-curious, the 29th annual Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour is a way to get up close and personal with local artists in their homes and studios. The event showcases art in dozens of mediums, including large-scale sculptures, paintings, photography, jewelry, pottery, fiber art and more. Organized by the Sonoran Arts League, the free, self-guided tour runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Nov. 21 to 23 and 28 to 30. It features 164 artists in 41 studios this year, all within about 10 square miles in Carefree, Cave Creek and North Scottsdale. “It’s a great opportunity for people to come and see how we work, where we work, and learn about the processes we go through,” says metal sculptor Carlos Page of Cave Creek. “It provides a very different experience than going to the gallery, in which you see the finished product, but you don’t have any more information on who created it.” Map out a plan Glass artist Carole Perry, a Sonoran Arts League board member and host artist for all 29 years, recommends researching in advance to map out a plan. The 180-page, full-color, glossy directory is available online or you can pick it up for free on tour days at the studios. Perry urges people to choose wisely and look for art that speaks to them. Although it’s not a juried show — any member of the Sonoran Arts League can pay to partici- pate — many artists on the tour have won major awards and are featured in corpo- rate collections and museums. Aim to visit six to eight studios per day, she advises, and be sure to allot time to engage with the artists. They enjoy discussing what inspires them and how they make a living doing what they love. “People come directly to the source and have an opportunity to communicate and converse and hear our stories,” Page says. Be a looky-loo Even if you’re not in the market for art, it’s worth it just to look. Perry says the main mission for the Sonoran Arts League is to generate a stronger appreciation of art. Sales are a bonus. “Visual arts are critical to people’s mental health and well-being,” she says. The setting itself is a draw as well. Nestled in the far north foothills, the natural environment is among the most beautiful in the Valley, making for an ideal day trip. Although host galleries put out refresh- ments, Perry says the most common ques- tion she gets as a host is, “Where can we get something to eat?” She points out that at the back of the directory is a dining guide featuring all the restaurants in the area. Learn to express yourself Hidden in the Hills has grown immensely since its inception in 1997, Perry says. The idea for a studio tour was spurred after a member returned from one in Northern California. “We just went crazy in love with the idea of an open studio tour where people came to us instead of us packing up and putting ourselves under a tent on the street,” Perry says. The first tour included 16 studios and 35 artists. The budget was $250, which they used to mimeograph and mail a map listing artist studios. Today, the event has a significant impact on the local economy, Perry notes. “We do over $1 million in sales based on surveys of the artists,” she says, from a $25 box of cards to $15,000 sculptures. Not only does it draw thousands who spend money at the studios, local shops and restaurants, but they might also make bigger purchases — like a house. “I can name five people who moved up here after I met them at Hidden in the Hills,” she says. Page is one of them. Originally from Argentina, he was based in New York City and Hoboken, New Jersey, and came to Arizona 15 years ago. He heard about the artists’ community in Cave Creek and the Hidden in the Hills tour. “When I started looking for a place to buy, I knew I wanted to be here,” he says. “I am very happy about the decision.” Page says one of the themes he sees at the annual tour is the gratitude people express for being able to witness the creative process. Many people don’t have the opportunity to express themselves, let alone make a living at it, and the tour encourages them to explore their own creativity. “Art endures,” Page says. “It’s inspira- tional for a lot of people.” Read the full article on phoenixnew- times.com. Artist Carlos Page works in his studio. (Carl Schultz) ▼ Arts & Culture
