Watch a Sculpture Come to Life From Scratch in Sedona This October

Most finished sculptures only show you the end of the story.

This October in Sedona, you can watch one begin with little more than wire, clay and a live animal standing in front of the artist.

On Friday, October 2, 2026, sculptor Ken Rowe will create a new work from scratch during Sedona’s First Friday festivities at Rowe Fine Art Gallery inside Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village.

And there’s a twist: the live animal serving as Rowe’s model is being kept secret until the night of the event.

The free demonstration runs from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, giving visitors a rare opportunity to see how a sculpture evolves before it ever becomes the polished bronze artwork you would normally encounter in a gallery.

What Will Ken Rowe Be Sculpting?

That’s part of the fun.

Organizers aren’t revealing the animal model ahead of time.

During the demonstration, visitors will watch Rowe work directly from the live animal, beginning with the underlying wire armature and building the sculpture in oil clay.

Instead of walking into a gallery and seeing only a completed piece, you’ll get to see the decisions, proportions and details emerge in real time.

The finished clay work represents the beginning of a much longer process that can eventually result in a bronze sculpture.

When and Where Is the Live Sculpture Event?

Here are the details to save:

Date: Friday, October 2, 2026
Time: 4:00–7:00 PM
Location: Rowe Fine Art Gallery at Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village
Address: 336 State Route 179, Suite A102, Sedona, AZ
Admission: Free

The demonstration is part of First Friday at Tlaquepaque, when galleries throughout the village stay active into the evening with artist receptions, demonstrations, music, wine tastings and other special programming.

Make a Night of First Friday in Sedona

The sculpture demonstration isn’t the only reason to stick around Tlaquepaque.

Just a couple of doors away, Creative Gateways Gallery is hosting Masquerade Night, where visitors can watch the festivities or paint their own colorful mask to take home.

Later that evening, Tlaquepaque is also hosting Dance Under the Stars from 7:00 to 10:00 PM at Patio del Norte.

That makes October 2 surprisingly easy to turn into a full evening: explore the galleries, watch a sculpture being created, grab dinner and then stay for the nighttime festivities.

Why First Friday Is Worth Adding to an October Sedona Trip

Sedona gets plenty of attention for its trails, vortexes and red rock views, but its art scene is another side of the city worth experiencing.

First Friday gives you an excuse to slow down after a day outside and actually wander through the galleries rather than simply passing them on the way to your next hike.

And watching an artist build a sculpture from a live model is considerably different from your standard gallery visit.

You don’t need to know anything about sculpture to enjoy it. You can simply walk in and watch a blank framework slowly become something recognizable.

Staying Near Bell Rock?

If your October plans include Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte and the Village of Oak Creek, Kokopelli Inn makes an easy home base for exploring this side of Sedona while still being able to head into town for events like First Friday.

Spend the morning on the trails, give yourself time to clean up and recharge, then head to Tlaquepaque for the evening.

Because apparently in Sedona, even a Friday night art show can start with a mystery animal and a pile of clay.

Quick FAQ

Is the Ken Rowe live sculpture event free?

Yes. The October 2 First Friday event at Rowe Fine Art Gallery is listed as free and open to everyone.

What time does the sculpture demonstration start?

The First Friday event runs from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on October 2, 2026.

Where is Rowe Fine Art Gallery?

Rowe Fine Art Gallery is located inside Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village at 336 State Route 179, Suite A102, Sedona, Arizona.

What will Ken Rowe sculpt?

The subject is intentionally being kept secret until the event. Rowe will work from a live animal model during the demonstration.

What else is happening at Tlaquepaque that night?

October 2 is First Friday, with gallery events and artist programming throughout Tlaquepaque. Creative Gateways is also hosting Masquerade Night, followed by Dance Under the Stars at Patio del Norte later that evening. For more ideas, see our guide to Sedona events in 2026.