26th Annual Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival

January 18th, 19th & 20th, 2019

Established 1993

The Town of Carefree Signature Event

101 Easy Street, Carefree, 85377

Admission $3.00 - Hours 10am - 5pm

Wine Tasting Ticket with Souvenir Glass $10.00

The Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival features more than 155 juried fine artisans from throughout the United States and abroad.  Artists will participate displaying paintings in oil, watercolor, pastel, acrylic, and ink; impressive small, medium and life-sized sculptures, sparkling hand blown glass, clay, metal, stone, wood, bronze, one-of-kind handcrafted jewelry, beautiful photography and much more!  

This festival also combines fine art and fine craft with an elaborate collection of domestic and imported wines for tasting. For $10, patrons will receive an engraved souvenir wine glass with six tasting tickets; allowing them to enjoy their magnificent wine, while strolling through over 5,000 pieces of original artwork, all while the soothing sounds of live music float through the air.

The festival will take place in downtown Carefree, at the corner of Easy and Ho Hum streets. Hours are 10am to 5pm each day. Admission is $3.00 and free for Carefree residents. Parking is free all weekend.  All together, this event promises to be a weekend to forever remember.

Featured Artist Jan 2019: sculptor, Austin Casson

 Featured Artist: Austin Casson

Austin Casson was raised on a farm and as a child, found an interest in birds of prey, which is evident when you view his work.  He works with stone, Steel, bronze and resins, with a primary focus on forged steel. His mother was an artist, so one might say art is in his genes, but as fascinated as he was with working with his hands, he didn’t pursue an art career until mid-adulthood. He worked with the Department of Tourism in marketing for the State of Utah, as well as director of marketing for clothing suppliers for the 1988 Olympics in Calgary, Canada. He did not become a sculptor until he developed the Fairway replicas line of golf gifts. His passion for animals has him directly involved in tagging mountain lions and golden eagles in Southern California. He also works very closely with the Santa Rosa Plateau Nature Conservancy, which is a children's education program that educates 45,000 third graders every year on the wonders of nature. His sculptures are used every year as a fundraiser.

He has pieces all over the world, with one of his early bronze Eagles going into late President George Bush Senior’s personal collection. Austin also has 5 large pieces in the World Golf Hall of Fame and the trophy on top of the Breeders Cup, at the Thoroughbred Hall of Fame at the Santa Anita race track, of a bronze Mare and Foal created by Austin. He has received National recognition from publications such as Cowboys and Indians, National Wildlife art magazine and is presently working on a fallen heroes Memorial for the city of Temecula, California.

In addition to Austin’s creations, the festival brings together more than 150 phenomenally talented artists; displaying works of art in all mediums and subject matters. Thunderbird Artists strives to bring a variety of styles, sizes and price points together, in one location, ensuring something for everyone. Surrounding the event is the crown jewel of Carefree, and an amazing oasis in the desert, the gardens is only one of two public botanical gardens in the Valley. Situated on four acres, patrons can stroll and enjoy fascinating desert plant specimens on a self-guided walking tour which leads visitors to experience a purely visual and emotional connection with nature.

Thunderbird Artists knows how important it is to be involved in the community and is dedicated to partnering with a non-profit organization for each of the events. This event marks the 25th Anniversary of the partnership between Thunderbird Artists, the Carefree/Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Carefree. Through hard work, dedication and unwavering standards, together we have created three first-class events in Carefree every year, that have stood the test of time. Thunderbird Artists believes in giving back and the Chamber receives 25% of admission and wine sales from each event.  The Town of Carefree also receives 25% of every admission sale.

Don’t miss this award-winning festival, the Town of Carefree’s ‘Signature Event’, which highlights the artistic works of more than 150 juried fine artists, live music, appetizing food, tempting chocolates and unparalleled wine tasting.  It takes place in downtown Carefree, on Ho Hum & Easy Streets. Hours are 10am to 5pm each day.  Admission is $3.00 and parking is free all weekend. A can’t miss event!