Carved in Stone (and Other Stuff)

Fifth Annual Tucson Sculpture Festival Opening Reception

6 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 1

The Art Gallery

1122 N. Stone Ave.

628-7950;bicas.org

Unlike most annual events, the Tucson Sculpture Festival doesn't have a permanent home. Each year, a different organization steps forward to host the two-week celebration, putting its own influence on what's become a collaborative effort.

Local nonprofit BICAS (Bicycle Inter-Community Art and Salvage) has taken the reins this year as a way of celebrating its 25th anniversary.

"I just thought it would be awesome for BICAS to host the event," BICAS art coordinator Tanya Rich said. "The community comes together, we figure it out, and somebody takes it on. I'm sure as soon as this festival ends, there will be whispers as to who will take it on for next year. It's now become one of the top things to do in Tucson."

BICAS started in 1989 as an organization dedicated to helping the homeless find work, food and shelter. The mission shifted over the years to focus on bicycle recycling, and additional efforts such as sculpture have been added since.

This year's Sculpture Festival kicks off with an opening reception at The Art Gallery. The closing reception is from 6 to 11 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Sculpture Resource Center, 640 N. Stone Ave. More than 60 artists have submitted pieces for the show.

Proceeds from the festival will help aid BICAS' efforts, including a series of 25 events hosted by the nonprofit as well as a capital campaign to secure a permanent facility for the organization.

"We want to solidify our place in the community," Rich said.

The Tucson Sculpture Festival is free.