Inaugural fine arts show Saturday

The Maricopa Artisans’ committee will hold Maricopa’s first fine arts show, Art on the Veranda, Saturday at The Duke at Rancho El Dorado.

The show will feature 37 artisans who each specialize in a fine art, such as weaving, making jewelry, fusing glass, painting, photography, sketching and more.

There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Mayor Christian Price at 10:55 a.m. to signify the beginning of what is hoped to be an annual show.

Artists’ booths will be open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for attendees to view and buy handmade products.

Founder of the Maricopa Artisans Committee Cynthia Portrey said there are three goals of the show.

“To make the community aware of the amount of talent in our small community, introduce children to the different varieties of art mediums, and try to establish Maricopa as an art mecca in the desert,” Portrey said.

Portrey said the committee was created last summer and seeks to educate the community on the value of art and its role in bringing revenue into the city.

Portrey said admission to the event is free.

“We want everybody to come, even from outside Maricopa,” she said. “We want this to reach beyond Maricopa if possible.”

Music will be provided by the Maricopa Music Circle and members of the Maricopa High School orchestra.

Attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to donate to the Maricopa Food Bank.