Art One Gallery, a cornerstone of Scottsdale's Old Town Arts District for more than three decades, will permanently close its doors on August 30, marking the end of an era for Arizona's local art community. The gallery, which has provided a vital platform for emerging and established Arizona artists since 1993, announced the closure both online and with signage outside their location, citing financial difficulties and the owner's declining health as primary factors.
Manager Max Smith revealed that owner Kraig Foote has been battling health issues and has relocated to Utah to be closer to family during this challenging time. "This has been one of the most difficult decisions to make, probably in my life and probably in the lives of the employees that work here, especially Kraig, the owner," Smith explained. The combination of personal health struggles and business pressures ultimately forced the difficult decision to close permanently.
The gallery is experiencing one of its slowest sales years in a decade, reflecting broader economic challenges affecting the art market. "Art is maybe not on people's top of the list of priorities at the moment," Smith stated, highlighting how economic pressures have impacted consumer spending on artwork. This downturn has been particularly devastating for a business that relies heavily on steady sales to support both its operations and the artists it represents.
Throughout the years, Foote made significant personal sacrifices to keep the gallery operational, including selling his own art collection and securing multiple business loans. "At this point, it's almost as if the well's run dry, you know? He's really given a lot of his resources to keep the place open," Smith added. "He made so many personal sacrifices as a business owner, for those local and student artists. He's definitely an awesome person, great figure to be associated with."
Until the final day of operation, Art One Gallery is offering everything at 20 percent off to help both customers and artists during the transition. "That's really just kind of as a thank you to our customers, and the community that supported us," Smith explained. "[It's] also to kind of help some of the artists thin out some of their inventory, as they move to the next stage of their career."
The closure represents a significant loss for Arizona's artistic community, particularly for emerging artists who relied on the gallery for exposure and career development. "The main goal of this gallery is to be here for students, and local Arizona artists. We have students in high school, college and then a really large community of local Arizona artists here. I fear [they] aren't going to really know where to go," Smith stated. "There isn't a lot of places like this. I think this has really filled a community's need to really support the up-and-coming arts, and give these amazing artists a platform to get going."
Despite the gallery's closure, Smith remains committed to continuing the Art One Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting student artists through scholarships, grants, and supplies. "I am going to do my absolute best to keep that foundation going, in whatever capacity that looks like. We've been talking with different businesses here in Scottsdale who are willing to help us support that endeavor, by doing displays, auctions or fundraisers," he said. "That's one thing we really hope to do, and really hope to push into the next generation. This nonprofit will solely be dedicated to helping those students."
Smith encouraged the community to continue supporting local arts in whatever capacity possible, whether through the Art One Foundation or other galleries that champion local and student artists. "Working here for so long, I've seen firsthand the benefit it has for the artists, and for the community. That's what makes this all so difficult: seeing what that's going to look like on the other side," he reflected, emphasizing the profound impact the closure will have on Scottsdale's cultural landscape.
