Norby says the gallery business is a seven‑day‑a‑week job for his wife and him, while he can create art just about anywhere.

“I guess what we feel good about is during the four seasons (years) we’ve spent here in Cave Creek, we’ve raised the visibility of the arts,” Art says. “When we talk about arts, we’re talking about the galleries. Everyone who comes to Cave Creek and Carefree knows we have a lot of artists. I’m not discounting their value. Without them, we wouldn’t be in business.

“I just think we’ve had some impact on the growth of galleries here. There are a dozen up here now.”

Cave Creek galleries have expanded the scope of the artists they represent, too, Art notes.

“In the past, galleries here have pretty much represented local artists,” he says. “Because my own reputation as an artist is national rather than local, we’ve tried to bring in nationally known artists.

“Some of them live here, but we don’t consider them to be local because their collectors come from everywhere to buy their work.”

The Norbys’ time in Arizona has been full of highlights.

“Both Kathy and I have been active in the Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce,” Art says. “I was president of the Carefree Gallery Association for a year.”

The Fiesta Days event is their favorite project, Kathy says.

“Art has done the art for the ads for the Fiesta Days celebration, and we’ve kicked money back into the rodeo,” she says. “The rodeo is a major part of the community. We really enjoy that part and watching it stay alive and grow.”

Being in the gallery business certainly hasn’t hampered Art’s career as an artist.

“I’ve definitely broadened the exposure of my own work and other artists have enjoyed exposure they might otherwise not have had because we’ve had the space and money to promote them.”

Norby estimates he’s represented at least 150 artists.

“I’ve helped them with their careers as I have moved along with my own,” he says. “The last three or four as an owner (of the gallery) have been particularly important because we’ve helped to substantially increase the credibility of the 20 or so artists we represent in Cave Creek.

“Our last major activity will be the Fiesta Days Rodeo,” Art says. “We’ll have a sale of some of my personal stuff in April. I’ll still continue to produce art, but it just costs too much to move and the danger of damaging something is not worth the worry. There’s a good chance to save a substantial amount of money by attending the sale.

“Most people don’t think of artists as being business people,” Art comments. “I’ve been very successful doing things my own way.

“Every dream I’ve ever had has come true. Much more than I ever anticipated. We’re ready to take the pressure off. We’ve been chasing the bus for a long, long time.

“Arizona has been very good to us and the whole experience has been positive. We hope somebody will decide this is a good place for a gallery and can enjoy the successes we’ve had.”