Arts

from Lovin Life After 50: Tucson August 2020

Dining

Arts Christmas at Madaras

Celebrate the holiday with artists at Tucson gallery BY ANNIKA TOMLIN ornaments at the holidays,

Diana Madaras was sitting at her complus really unique décor.” puter one fall when she heard a voice say, The nine-time Best Artist in “Open a Christmas shop.” Tucson winner will show

She initially blew it o . case new holi

“And then it was louder,” she says. “It day images that said, ‘Open a Christmas shop.’” include a Christ

After realizing the only Christmas shop mas church, a in the area closed, she decided to ll the saguaro in the void at her Tucson gallery seven years desert with a coyago. For the last seven years, Madaras has ote in a Christmas dedicated her space to the holiday in Auhat, and a brightgust. ly colored desert

For the one-month show, she transscene with stars. forms the front portion of her gallery “I can’t say I can into a winter wonderland with items and pick a favorite, paintings produced by her and guest artbut we do have four new holiday card imists. ages in addition to some of our standard

“We have 25 di erent holiday cards, favorites,” Madaras says. and we’ll also do di erent ornaments and Through her award-winning gallery, prints and coasters and mini canvases,” Madaras donates to charities, including Madaras says. “We probably have 1,000 her nonpro t Art for Animals, which has

Clockwise from top: Diana Madaras created maximum of 10 people in this vision of a starry desert night in the form of an ornament for her Christmas in August the gallery at a time. Private collection; the rst light glass ornament is for appointments are availsale at Madaras Gallery; the Christmas church ornament will be a new addition to the holable. She is unable to host iday collection. (Photos courtesy Diana Madaras) the “wonderful parties and homeless, abused and injured animals. lery is allowing in-person viewing with a events” that occur throughout the year due to social distancing. She’s continuing to make the gallery accessible to people who want to see or purchase from it. Customers can purchase online or have curbside pickonline or have curbside pickup. The COVID-19 pandemic up. The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t been too bad for Madahasn’t been too bad for Madaras. ras. “On the ip side, it has given me more time to paint, which me more time to paint, which “I’m getting ready for my Octo“I’m getting ready for my Octo- received more than ber show. $200,000. “I’m very pleased to say that we have “I have this animal a lot of support online. We did a series foundation called Art of 1-minute videos of me and our other for Animals,” Madaras says. “We help guest artist that people really liked.” We have done that since the start of the Madaras Gallery gallery.” 3035 N. Swan Road

During the pandemic, Madaras Gal615-3001, madaras.com I have enjoyed,” Madaras says. I have enjoyed,” Madaras says.