Tubac is a little artist village and the Tubac Arts Center a focal point. This was not my first visit and I found some changes since last year. Some good, some less good.

The main exhibit area was redesigned, freshly painted and very pleasant. There was an exhibition of local art works, as usual. A lot of paintings, less photos, sculpture, pottery and glass. Very good work in general, although not varied, but well displayed. I had a good time visiting this exhibit.

So far so good... but I was really disappointed by the gift shop. From my previous visits, I remember a small gift shop, cheerful and well lit, with a lot of gifts hand made by local artists. This was a great place to shop for something unique at affordable price.
The gift shop has been remodeled too. It is much bigger and this was a pleasant surprise. But that’s about it. It is now sad and dark (eggplant walls, no light, huge dark pieces of furniture). Even the sales person looks sad, reading a book behind her desk instead of greeting customers with a smile.
And the beautiful gifts from Arizona are gone. Lots of children books and trinkets, items behind glass cases (I like to touch what I am going to purchase). I was planning to shop and bring back some gifts made locally, but I left empty handed. Where are the art works? This is the beginning of the season, and I thought the gift shop would have been packed with goodies.

A huge disappointment. Let’s hope they will improve. The Tubac Arts Center is a landmark of the village of Tubac and it would be a big loss for the Arts Community that it goes down in quality.