Fountain Hills Great Fair, Tempe Empty Bowls and 2 more events to find art in metro Phoenix

Sometimes, a piece of art can catch your eye, even if you weren't specifically looking for that style. Four art shows this weekend encourage that kind of discovery  with a diverse group of artists selling one-of-a-kind pieces.

Fountain Hills Great Fair

During the 31st annual Fountain Hills Great Fair, around 500 artists from the Southwest, Midwest and West Coast will be interspersed throughout the Avenue of the Fountains.

Each year, the show draws 200,000 attendees over three days, including visitors from out of state who plan their vacations around it.

The event incorporates new and returning artists in 18 different mediums, including textiles, paintings, photography, sculptures, mixed-media artwork and metal and wood art.

Art ranges in price from $20 to $20,000.

Juries, which include artists and community members, look at the craftsmanship and uniqueness of artists’ work as well as the quality of their booth presentations.

Along with artwork, the event has two beer gardens, live music and a variety of food options.

During the festival, two local groups, Border Line Band and Hooked on a Feeling, will entertain audiences with their lively, easy-listening sounds.

Guests over 21 can indulge in a glass of beer or wine while socializing inside one of the beer gardens.

Local clubs and commercial vendors will offer food choices such as pancake breakfasts, Greek or Thai cuisine, hamburgers, hot dogs, funnel cake, barbecue or Philly cheesesteaks.

A portion of the show’s proceeds goes to local Rotary, Kiwanis and church clubs, which provide volunteers for the event.

Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Feb. 24-26. 16455 E. Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills. Free admission and parking. 480-837-1654, fountainhillschamber.com/the-great-fair.

Tempe Empty Bowls

A spirit of giving and art come together during Tempe Empty Bowls, a two-day charity event on Feb. 24 and 25.

For a donation of $10, attendees can choose from different sizes, colors and shapes of soup/cereal-sized bowls, created by students from Tempe Union High School District and local artists from the city of Tempe ceramics program.

Guests receive one bowl and a meal of soup and bread, symbolic of the type of nourishment many people in poverty have on a given day.

Tempe restaurant NCounter and Whole Foods Market Tempe donated food for the event. During the event, ceramic vases, necklaces, mugs, planters and platters will also be available for purchase at a slightly higher cost.

For the first year, students from local elementary and middle schools from Tempe Elementary School District created ceramic bowls and pottery pieces for the event. Their artwork will be available at a slightly lower price.

Before the event, students had the opportunity to buy back their art for $1 each, with all of the money raised going to the cause.

While patrons look around at artwork, they can listen to live music from reggae/folk/rock artist Walt Richardson on Friday and Randy Olson and Friends on Saturday.

Proceeds from the event go to two organizations offering food programs for people in need, the Tempe Community Action Agency and the United Food Bank.

Details: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24. Sixth Street Park, 24 E. Sixth St., Tempe.  11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, February 25. Tempe Library Complex, 3500 S. Rural Road, Tempe. Free general admission, $10 for hand-crafted bowl. tempeemptybowls.org.

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Litchfield Park Art and Wine Festival

A colorful resort community, fine art and wine and delicious culinary selections will offer different types of connoisseurs something to indulge in during the 19th annual Litchfield Park Art and Wine Festival on March 4 and 5.

Held in downtown Litchfield Park in an area filled with lush greenery and sidewalk cafes, the festival brings fine art to the West Valley with a showcase of 200 juried artists from around the country.

Patrons can peruse paintings, sculptures, jewelry, pottery, photography, mixed media pieces and metal and glass artwork from a mixture of new and returning artists. The show caters to different types of collectors with a variety of styles, including Southwestern and contemporary artwork.

Bronze sculptor Felicia Nawa, an artist who often depicts Native American children and women in her work, will serve as the festival’s featured artist.

During the two days of the show, guests can take a break and listen to live music from Incan/contemporary duo Inka Gold, Bluesman Mike and the Blues Review Band and singer/songwriter Mary Hoffman.

For foodies, the event offers culinary demonstrations and a live ice sculptor.

Vendors and food trucks will cater to different palates  with seafood choices;  creamery ice cream; barbecue; fine chocolates; buffalo burgers; Italian sausage and Greek, Mexican or Asian cuisine.

This year, the wine garden has expanded to include 10 wineries and three breweries. For $10, guests receive a souvenir wine glass and six tasting tickets.

Details: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 4 and 5. 101 W. Wigwam Blvd, Litchfield Park. Free admission and parking, $10 for wine and beer tasting. vermillionpromotions.com.

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Phoenix Antiques, Bottles and Collectibles Club Antique Show and Sale

Sometimes, just one or two items can add to or make complete an existing collection. At the Phoenix Antiques, Bottles and Collectibles Club’s 34th annual Antique Show and Sale, serious hobbyists and everyday consumers have the chance to peruse a variety of vintage and antique items.

Between 60 to 70 dealers will sell items such as antique soda, milk or pharmacy bottles; lanterns; depression glass; tools; linens; newspapers; turquoise jewelry; advertising signs; crockery; railroad, brewery or gas station memorabilia; postcards; fishing items or dolls.

Often, dealers have knowledge of the antiques’ history to share with the public.

Many of the items come from the 1950s and earlier and were found at thrift shops, antique stores, ghost towns or estate sales.

Prices range from $2 to $3 to $200 to $400.

Shoppers can get a first look at pieces on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. as part of an Early Bird preview.

The show helps to raise funds for the club’s operational costs. In the past, the organization has also given back to historical organizations such as the Pioneers’ Cemetery Association.

During meetings every first Wednesday of the month, club members share their finds with each other. The group also makes bi-annual antique trips to spots such as Pinetop and Prescott.

Details: Early Bird preview. 2-4 p.m. Friday, February 24. Regular hours. 4-6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 24. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. North Phoenix Baptist Church, 5757 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. $10 Early Bird admission, $3 general admission. phoenixantiquesclub.org.

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