Exploring Tubac, AZ

It's that time of year where the village of Tubac sparkles with luminarias. 

Luminaria Nights, Tubac's annual celebration of the holiday season was this past weekend.

The streets were lined with luminaries, the storefronts were lit up

and opened for shopping.

There was live music nearby at the firepit bonfire and restaurants open for dining. As we strolled the streets

we came across a very svelte looking Santa in front of a shop

who was more than happy to accommodate photos and even the Grinch seemed to be in a good mood for a photo op.

The evening was a great way to get into the holiday spirit. 

A week before Tubac's annual holiday event we found another outdoor event to

enjoy The Exuberance, an artistic and botanic experience which runs from November 14, 2020 through April 30, 2021. It concludes with an auction of the exhibits.

Thirteen acres of art space showcase local artists and their creations of garden sculptures, art installations, and contemporary garden vignettes. The show runs during the park hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Wednesday through Sunday. Free guided art tours are available. 

The Exuberance is a celebration of the artistic endeavors of artists inspired by their own creativity and innovation. 45 artists explore a variety of media, current recycling practices, and meet the challenges of all weather conditions.

Tubac’s reputation for “Where Art and History Meet” is the central theme of the show. However, many artists have chosen to create pieces that address environmental issues, sustainability, climate change, naturalism, and the use of native plants. 

One of the most popular exhibits was the Potting Shed designed to replicate the same one as used by artist, Frida Kahlo. The structure functions as a storage unit for plants during cold weather months and to house garden tools. It is built with casters for easy moving. Artist Myrna York is shown with her work. 

Bunny Hill by Erich Priester.

This one put  smiles on our faces to think of something out of the normal realm, a bunny skiing on a bunny hill made out of rock. The bunny and skis were constructed from mesquite wood. In fact, the artist got the wood from a nearby mesquite tree right in the same area as the exhibition.  

Yarn Bombing by Camila Morrisey.

Who says you can’t decorate a tree with art? Tubac Presidio volunteer Sharie Shute is pictured with a tree adorned with “yarn bombing” by Carmela Morrisey of Tubac. The colorful pots are from Father Kino’s herb garden.

Fairy Garden Vignette designed and planted by Perey Riley.  

The Exuberance preserves the spirit of contemporary art in Tubac.