Sept. 24th, 2026, Issue # 146

Three Little Art Dolls. One Very Big Adventure.

From a nerve-rattling application to

three tiny tags in a very big hall.

Howdie!

Happy Thursday!

The long-anticipated day was approaching—and I had jitters!

I had decided to enter Celestine into the Arizona State Fair competition under the fine arts sculpture, free standing 3D category.

It was a two-step process. An image of the work is submitted to be judged worthy of being juried in. Qualifying work would be notified by 5PM on September 8^th. If juried in, the work was to be delivered to the fairgrounds on one of two designated dates. Both dates fell on days we were scheduled to be on our annual road trip.

I decided to tackle the challenge one step at a time. First, there was the matter of being juried in. Then, I would worry about how to get the dolls to the fairgrounds in “exhibit ready” condition when we would be out of the state.

Then I thought, “If we’re going to go through all that trouble, why not enter Defiance and Scarlett, too?”



So I did.

Meanwhile, without my ever asking, Dan had rearranged all the reservations, postponing the road trip by a week, should the girls need to be delivered to the fairgrounds.

The 8th had arrived.

At 4:59 that afternoon, the first good news email was delivered. Immediately followed by the second, then the third. All three art dolls had been juried into the Arizona State Fair Fine Arts competitions.

Time for a happy dance!

Then came the questions.



Should the girls bring their props? Their handmade certificates of authenticity? Artist statements?

I questioned myself. I questioned the effort.

There was only one way to find out.

Take the girls to the Fair.

We arrived at the North Hall of Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The space is 25,920 square feet. We entered a vast, echoing room that seemed even bigger, filled with rows of empty cafeteria style tables placed back-to-back, stretching toward the horizon.



We found the Fine Arts check-in.

“What’s your last name?”

I told her.

She produced three tags.

“Place each tag on the appropriate work.” She instructed.

So I did.

That was it!

It felt like three tiny dots had been placed on an enormous blank page.

We walked to the car.

Bewildered.

Wondering.

What would come of this adventure?

And now those three little dots are part of the “A State of Wonder,” Arizona State Fair’s 2026 special Fine Arts and Photography themed competition—an invitation to explore how one's imagination can magically turn the ordinary into something extraordinary.

The Fair drew 1,032,674 visitors last year, ranking it among the nation's top five.

That’s a very big audience for three very small, handmade, mixed media personalities.

One can only imagine what will happen next.

Somewhere in that October crowd, I hope someone pauses.

Looks closely. Meets Celestine, Defiance or Scarlett.

And smiles.

If you’re visiting the Arizona State Fair this year, go on a little treasure hunt.

Somewhere among the sights, sounds and bustle are three little art dolls who have ventured far beyond their comfort zone.

If you find them, tell me—what did you see, how did you feel, what did you wonder about?

By for now,

Nora

New in the Wonder Vault

Scrap fabric baskets