THE ART LOVER'S GUIDE TO COLLECTING FINE ART IN ARIZONA

A barren, inhospitable desert. The Phoenix sprawl. Insufferable heat. Saguaros.

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The Grand Canyon. This is what probably comes to mind for people who aren't very familiar with Arizona. But for those of us who live here, we know the state has so much more to offer. And because American Art Collector and its sister titles are based in Scottsdale, and put together by a team that is intimate with every region of the state, we are uniquely suited to let you in on its best kept secrets. One of the most appealing aspects of Arizona is its dramatic variations in climate, elevation and topography which translates into a truly astounding biodiversity. (You can learn more about the state's vast botanical variety, and one artist's mission to document it on canvas, in our feature of Page 36.) When the temperatures are pushing 115 degrees in Phoenix, you can be in Flagstaff among the pines in two hours where it's about 20 to 30 degrees cooler. In the winter, if you'd rather sit poolside than hit the slopes at Arizona Snowbowl, you head south. From canyons, deserts, hot springs and 24 national parks, there is no shortage of natural wonders to feast your eyes on, and no shortage of art either. As we know, artists gravitate toward beauty and light, and Arizona has both in spades. In the following pages, we're going to visit Arizona's top art destinations for lovers of contemporary realism, and provide insider tips not only on galleries, festivals and museums to visit, but also recommendations on where to eat, drink and stay.

PHOENIX/SCOTTSDALE