Yuma Art Symposium Experince

The drive to Yuma was uneventful until reaching Quartzsite.  At that point I began to see a barrage of large (bus size) RV trailers and lots of them.  They were on the road and parked in the desert.  Apparently Quartzsite is a mecca to over a million visitors most of whom converge on the small town in a wave of RVs during January and February.  The Gem and Mineral show, a Blue Grass Festival, an Off Road Rally and many other events are held during these two months.  Who knew?!?!

Past Quartzsite and just outside of  the city of Yuma one begins to see miles of agricultural fields. Apparently, Yuma County is the winter vegetable capital of the world, or so they claim.  In fact, about 90 percent of all the leafy vegetables grown in the U.S. from November through March are grown in and around the Yuma area. Who knew!?!?


I arrived at the Symposium registration site, Timkins Pottery,  at 10:45 AM.   And no one was at the registration booth to give me my information.  I was not happy because I had no map or presenters schedule.  Long story short within the hour I got my information and they even invited me to lunch outside of their pottery studio.  Unfortunately, I had missed all but one presenter for the day.

I stayed at the Yuma Best Western which was within walking distance of the Art District and venues.  Although the rate was reasonable, I think I will stay at the Hilton next time!  Enough said...

There were many events to attend, the pin auction, the show your art night, the Gallery Opening Night, the file, saw and solder competition, and finally the dinner dance.  This was the 35th year so I felt a little like an outsider.  However, I will consider going again next year...