The Southern Arizona Arts Guild (SAAG) has been awarded a $7,000 Creative Capacity Grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts, an agency of the State of Arizona. The grant is part of $2.66 million in funding awarded to 409 nonprofit arts organizations, arts festivals and arts-learning programs throughout Arizona.

The award provides general operating support, helping SAAG continue the day-to-day work behind its extensive programs for artists and the Southern Arizona community.

With approximately 330 members working in a wide range of artistic media, SAAG has grown into one of Southern Arizona’s most active visual arts organizations. Its reach extends well beyond the walls of the SAAG Gallery at Joesler Village, where the work of more than 100 juried local artists is represented.

Throughout the year, SAAG provides opportunities for artists to exhibit and sell their work, learn new skills, exchange ideas and connect with one another. The Guild also brings art directly into the community through exhibitions at locations throughout Southern Arizona, public art classes, demonstrations, special art marketplaces, educational programs and free public events such as its monthly Art & Appetizers series.

“We are incredibly proud that the Arizona Commission on the Arts has chosen to invest in SAAG and the work we are doing,” said Elizabeth Iverson, President of the Southern Arizona Arts Guild. “This grant is not only financial support—it is recognition of the value of a strong, active arts community. We are deeply grateful for this award and for the opportunity it gives us to continue supporting local artists while making the visual arts more accessible to people throughout Southern Arizona.”

The Southern Arizona Arts Guild (SAAG) is heading into fall with an ambitious calendar of art, shopping and community events designed not only to showcase Southern Arizona artists, but also to bring new and returning visitors to Joesler Village throughout the fall and holiday season.

September kicks things off with two free community events.

On Wednesday, September 9, from 3–5 p.m., SAAG presents Art & Appetizers: “Unearth Your Inner Artist.” Nine SAAG teaching artists will demonstrate a wide variety of techniques while visitors learn about upcoming fall workshops. Guests can enter a drawing to win a free SAAG workshop, and appetizers will be generously provided by Joesler Village neighbor Bubbe’s Fine Bagels.

On Saturday, September 19, from 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., the free Community Art Fest returns in front of the SAAG Gallery. Instructor Carolyn Fisch will lead participants in Neurographic Watercolor & Pen Art, a Zen-inspired creative experience. All materials are provided and no registration is necessary.

In October, SAAG plans to turn Saturdays into another reason to visit Joesler Village. Every Saturday, gallery visitors will be welcomed with live artist demonstrations, fresh cider and homemade cookies, adding a relaxed, festive experience to fall shopping. October also includes Art & Appetizers on October 14 and Community Art Fest on October 17.

The holiday season gets underway Friday, November 6, with SAAG’s Season of Giving Holiday Preview Party, featuring holiday music, wine, special gift selections and complimentary gift wrapping. Additional November activities include a Veterans-themed Art & Appetizers on November 11, participation in the Open Studio Tour November 13–15, and Community Art Fest on November 21. Then, on Small Business Saturday, November 28, SAAG will bring the holidays outdoors with an Artful Holidays Ornament & Handmade Gift Sidewalk Sale from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Local artists will offer handmade ornaments, holiday décor, original artwork and one-of-a-kind gifts—creating another reason for shoppers to spend Small Business Saturday at Joesler Village.

(From Left to Right) Elizabeth Iverson, President; Dawn Stanley, Vice President; Terese Butler, Treasurer; Sally Lee, Secretary

The Southern Arizona Arts Guild (SAAG) is pleased to announce the election of its new Executive Board of Directors, effective April 1, 2026. The newly appointed leadership team steps in at a pivotal time, building on the Guild’s recent relocation to its expanded gallery space at Joesler Village.

The Executive Board includes Elizabeth (Liz) Iverson as President, Dawn Stanley as Vice President, Terese Butler as Treasurer, and Sally Lee as Secretary.

As SAAG continues to grow, the organization remains rooted in its founding vision. “From the very beginning, SAAG was created to provide a place for artists to learn, share, and show their work,” said founder Diane Loving. “It’s inspiring to see that mission continue to thrive through strong leadership and a dedicated community.”

A President Rooted in Art, Education, and Community

Newly elected President Elizabeth (Liz) Iverson brings nearly three decades of experience as a K–12 educator in Southern Arizona, where she integrated art into everyday learning. A lifelong artist and professional watercolorist, Iverson has also been deeply engaged with SAAG as a workshop instructor, gallery artist, and active committee member.

Since joining the Guild three years ago, Iverson has taught more than 22 workshops, served on the Programs Committee, and co-chaired the Community Art Fest. Her leadership reflects both hands-on experience and a deep commitment to the Guild’s mission.

“I’m honored to serve as President of the Southern Arizona Arts Guild,” said Iverson. “This role is about supporting our artists, strengthening connections, and creating opportunities for growth. Together, we can build a community where artists share their skills, solve challenges, and thrive.”

Iverson’s vision for SAAG focuses on expanding community engagement, increasing membership, and growing both gallery and exhibition opportunities for artists. She is particularly passionate about extending the Guild’s reach beyond its walls.

“I believe art should meet people where they are,” she said. “I want to expand our outreach into care facilities, group homes, and underserved communities—bringing creativity and connection to places where it’s needed most.”

She also emphasizes that the Guild’s greatest strength lies within its members.

“Our artists are our greatest asset,” Iverson added. “They are generous, dedicated, and committed to helping one another grow. That spirit of collaboration is what makes SAAG so special.”

Because the Creative Capacity Grant provides general operating support, the funding can help sustain the essential work that makes SAAG’s many programs possible—from administration and communications to marketing, exhibitions, education and other ongoing organizational needs.

“Creative expression is central to Arizona’s innovation, prosperity, and cultural vitality,” said Christina You-sun Park, Executive Director of the Arizona Commission on the Arts. “Through strategic grantmaking the Arizona Commission on the Arts directs public funds to organizations, festivals, and programs that strengthen communities, support the state’s creative workforce, and enhance quality of life across Arizona.”

Grant recipients are selected through a rigorous public review process. Applications are evaluated on factors including quality of programming, public benefit and responsible stewardship of public funds. Review panels include community leaders, educators, arts administrators and working artists representing rural, urban and suburban communities throughout Arizona.

For SAAG, the award comes at a time when the organization continues to expand both the opportunities it provides its members and the ways it connects the public with local art.

Founded to provide a forum for artists to study, share and show their artwork, the Southern Arizona Arts Guild is dedicated to supporting the visual arts, encouraging and promoting its members, maintaining high standards of artistic quality, and increasing community awareness and appreciation of the visual arts.

December will continue the celebration with Art & Appetizers on December 9, Community Art Fest on December 19 and an emphasis throughout the month on shopping local and giving original art. SAAG also plans special holiday shopping assistance to help customers find one-of-a-kind gifts at a variety of price points.

SAAG’s goal is bigger than a single event or a single gallery. By creating a steady calendar of experiences, the Guild hopes to encourage visitors to come to Joesler Village, stay awhile, explore neighboring businesses and return throughout the season. We want to thank all of our Guild sponsors including the restaurants at Joesler Village, I Love OV, Semper Fi Heating, Cooling and Plumbing, Four Corners Gallery at the Tucson Desert Art Museum, and the Arizona Arts Commission. SAAG is also a member for Local First Arizona and Visit Tucson.

This fall, there will almost always be another reason to ask:

“What’s happening at Joesler Village this weekend?”

Art, Leadership, and Vision: SAAG Announces New Executive Board

Newly elected team brings experience, passion, and a shared commitment to advancing the arts in Southern Arizona

A Collaborative Leadership Team

Vice President Dawn Stanley, who has been involved with SAAG for approximately three years, brings a strong commitment to community engagement and collaboration.

“The interaction with artists and the opportunity to help move the gallery forward in our new space is what excites me most about this role,” said Stanley.

With a background in community involvement and volunteerism, Stanley values building relationships and working with diverse groups to achieve shared goals.

“This board is comprised of creative people who are great to work with,” she added. “Together, along with member participation, we can continue to have a successful gallery.”

Stanley also noted the personal impact SAAG has had on her since relocating to Tucson. “I wanted to plant some roots, and I found SAAG to be a welcoming place to find my people.”

Strength in Experience and Continuity

Treasurer Terese Butler brings six years of involvement with SAAG and recently completed a two-year term as President. With a deep understanding of the Guild’s operations, she looks forward to strengthening its financial foundation.

“Having served as president, I’m very aware of our operations and look forward to finding opportunities to strengthen our bottom line so we can expand our outreach to the community,” Butler said. “I’m proud of the opportunities our guild provides to bring art to our community and enjoy being part of this team.”

Secretary Sally Lee joined SAAG in 2021 after moving to Tucson and quickly found a sense of belonging within the local arts community.

“I was looking for a way to get involved in Tucson’s art community, and joining SAAG felt like the perfect opportunity,” Lee said.

Together, Butler and Lee provide organizational strength and continuity as SAAG continues to evolve and expand its impact.

Building on Momentum

The new board assumes leadership following one of the most significant milestones in SAAG’s history—the relocation of its gallery to Joesler Village. The move has allowed for expanded programming, including classes, demonstrations, and community events in a space designed specifically to showcase fine art.

With new leadership in place, SAAG is poised to strengthen its role as a cultural hub in Southern Arizona—supporting artists, engaging the public, and expanding access to the arts.