BENSON — Celebrate the arts this March with J.A. Jance and Cochise College.
J.A. Jance
The Arizona-native author will be at the Benson Center for a book discussion and signing Saturday, March 3 from 7 to 8:30 p.m., immediately following the annual Celebrate the Arts! Juried Art Show awards ceremony and reception.
Tickets to the book discussion and signing cost $5 apiece and should be purchased in advance. A limited number of tickets may be sold at the door, based on availability. Jance’s latest book, “Left for Dead,” is set to be released on Feb. 7 and will be available for purchase at the event.
The mystery-thriller is a continuation of the series featuring the fictional Ali Reynolds, who brings her “inimitable, take-no-prisoners style” (Kirkus Reviews) to the desolate Arizona border, which is plagued by illegal immigrant crossings and escalating drug wars that claim countless victims, according to a press release about the upcoming book.
Jance is a New York Times bestselling author and a Southern Arizona native. She grew up in Bisbee and now splits her time between Seattle and Tucson. She also attended last year’s Celebrate the Arts! event and spoke about her life, the inspiration she draws from Cochise County and her book of poetry.
Proceeds from the book signing will benefit the Cochise College Benson Center Scholarship Fund. Tickets can be purchased at the Benson Center by stopping by or calling 586-1981, or at the Center for Lifelong Learning at the Cochise College Sierra Vista Campus in room 714 or by calling 515-5492.
Celebrate the Arts! is an annual event hosted by the San Pedro River Arts Council and held at the Cochise College Benson Center. This year’s event will differ from past years and consist of a month-long visual art exhibition at the Benson Center from March 1 through 29.
The public is invited to the center to view the exhibition Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The exhibition will include all two-dimensional works, including oil acrylic, pastel, watercolor, pen and ink, charcoal and collage. Photography, sculpture, jewelry and crafts are not included. Artists can view exhibition requirements and submit an application by clicking here. The deadline for applications is Feb. 1.
On March 3, the San Pedro River Arts Council will host an opening and awards ceremony for participating artists at 6 p.m. The awards ceremony is free and open to the public. Hors d’oeuvres will be served.