CATALYST November 2025

This fall marks a powerful new chapter in our journey. We’ve officially transitioned to Art State Arizona, a name that reflects our statewide reach, bold vision, and deepening commitment to Arizona’s creative future. With this change comes a refined mission: to make the arts essential to everyday life in Arizona by fostering creativity, community collaboration, social progress, and economic growth. We’re expanding how we support artists, partner with organizations, and build cultural infrastructure that connects people and place. Together, we’re cultivating a more vibrant, inclusive, and art-powered Arizona.

Since its establishment in 2019, CATALYST Creative Collective has been Tucson’s premier space for creative connection and community celebration. Located in Tucson Mall, CATALYST hosts music and dance recitals, art workshops, culinary classes, gallery openings, fundraisers, and much more.

With over 14,000 square feet of versatile space, CATALYST offers flexible-use rooms, high-speed WIFI, vibrant art installations, and everything you need to bring your creative vision to life. Whether you’re planning an intimate workshop or a large fundraising event for up to 200 guests, our community hub is ready to welcome you.

Join us at one of our many upcoming events or partner with us in 2025 to make your creative projects a reality!

Available Spaces to Rent
Onsite Meeting with Remote Meeting Capacity | Special Dinners, Fundraising Events, and Group Outings | Private Functions | Multi-day Workshops | Classes & Instruction | Film Screenings | Coworking | Performing Arts Rehearsal and Recital Space |

Film, Podcast, and Music Production Space

VENUE AND SPECIAL EVENT RENTAL OPTIONS

CATALYST ONLINE EVENTS CALENDAR

QUESTIONS ABOUT CATALYST?

CATALYST Creative Collective
4500 N Oracle Rd Suite 110, Tucson, AZ 85705
1st Floor of the Tucson Mall in between Sears and Dillards

September Artist-in-Residence

WALL PLUGS ART COLLECTIVE

Salvador Sahuaqui is a self-taught Yaqui artist and the driving force behind Wall Plugs, a South Tucson–based collective dedicated to transforming community spaces through collaborative street art and mural installations. A member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Sahuaqui was born and raised in the neighborhoods of San Bernardino, California, and now calls South Tucson—Barrio Libre—home. Rooted in that legacy, Salvador’s work channels the heart of his community — giving color, visibility, and dignity to the stories of Tucson’s underrepresented neighborhoods.

During the Wall Plugs Residency at CATALYST Creative Collective, Salvador and the Wall Plugs collective will bring their energy indoors — transforming the space through installation, live painting, and collaborative engagement. Their work continues a legacy of community-led artistry, celebrating the creative power that thrives when people are given the space — and the walls — to tell their stories.

“I am beyond grateful and excited to bring what we do on a regular basis to an open space to the public. We function as a unit of creativity. We are spontaneous with ideas and projects. Multi-media, community-based collective of artists with specialties in aerosol art, muralism, indigenous perspective, sculpture, stencils, and abstract design.”
-Salvador Sahuaqui

Open Studio Hours
Saturday & Sunday | 11 AM – 6 PM

Paint-by-Number Community Mural Workshop with Yisela Molina
November 15 | 12 PM – 4 PM

Clay Doll Workshop with Adriana
November 17–19 | 9 AM – 5 PM
MORE INFO

UPCOMING CLASSES & EVENTS

Art State Arizona’s Catalyst Creative Collective in the Tucson Mall is a space where imagination becomes reality! This November is full of art, music, literature, youth theater, culinary adventures, and more. Be sure to pop by and check out Haji Miranda’s Soul Blossom sculpture installation that was recently completed in the front windows. Artist-in-Residence Wall Plugs art collective will be collaborating on many new projects during the weekends this month, and our culinary partners are gearing up for a busy month of festivals and events.

Art Mixer – A Unique Paint and Sip Experience

A unique paint and sip experience. Please call Art Mixer at 520-490-9400 to book your painting appointments or group events, either in our studio inside CATALYST or at your own venue. BYOB after 4pm and you may bring nonalcoholic beverages and snacks anytime. Appointments are highly recommended!

Homeschool Baking Program with Antsy Nancy

Tuesdays in November | Breakfast Baking
Fridays in December | Holiday Treats
10am – 12:30pm

Antsy Nancy has partnered with CATALYST to offer our monthly baking programs to home school families. Students will register for the multi-week program with a different theme each month! The Homeschool Program is ideal for ages 6+, but each child is different and has different experience levels and needs. Please contact Antsy Nancy with questions or concerns.

Calligraphy Classes with Crossroads Calligraphy

November 6 & 7 | Spencerian Script Calligraphy Class
December 8 & 9 | Italic Calligraphy Class
1-5pm

Discover the timeless art of beautiful writing with Crossroads Calligraphy, where creativity meets mindfulness. Participants will explore the expressive flow of calligraphy as both a visual art form and a personal meditative practice. Whether you’re a beginner or refining your technique, these classes offer a welcoming space to slow down, connect, and bring elegance to every stroke.

HUSTL Hour | Putting on Authentic Events: Building Your Brand Through Experiences

Thursday, November 6 | 5:00-7:00pm | FREE

Presented by Local First Arizona and HUSTL Financial. Learn how to design meaningful, experience-driven events that reflect your mission and connect with your audience. Hear from local leaders in event production, community building, and creative entrepreneurship as they share real strategies for collaboration and authenticity!

Arizona Mystery Writers Monthly Meeting

Saturday, November 8 | 10am – 12pm

Do you like mystery stories and novels? If you enjoy reading them, writing them, or are interested in how they are written, Arizona Mystery Writers is for you. Arizona Mystery Writers is a nonprofit, promoting mystery writing in Arizona for over twenty years. Some members are well-known, published authors, while others are only beginning the writing journey.

Paint By Number Community Mural
with Yisela Molina

Saturday, November 15 | 12pm – 4pm

You’re invited to create a new movable mural with the Wall Plugs Art Collective! This is a fun, collaborative paint-by-number installation led by artist Yisela Molina for the entire community. Meet Yisela and learn about her process and make your mark on a public piece of art. Free signed Vougler Arts x Yisela collector’s edition posters while supplies last! Sponsored by Vougler Arts

Tucson Music Producer BYOG Meetup

Saturday, November 15 | 12pm – 4pm

Calling all Tucson music producers – you are invited to bring your gear, conjure up some music, and connect with the community! Show off new tracks you’re working on, improvise, collaborate, teach, and learn. This is an opportunity to not only show off your gear but, more importantly, what you can do with it.
Table space and power will be provided, as well as a PA for shared use. We recommend bringing your own cables along with headphones (or small speakers) for setting up your own sound island. Questions! Join the Tucson Ableton Live User GroupDiscord channel

Grow your HUSTL

Tuesday, November 18 | 5:30-7:00pm | FREE

Ready to level up your HUSTL? Join us for Grow Your HUSTL Hour—a power-packed session designed for freelancers, creators, entrepreneurs, and side hustlers who are building big dreams on their own terms. Whether you’re just getting started or scaling up, HUSTL Hour is your space to connect, learn, and recharge with others who get it. Questions? Contact us at angie@hustlfinancial.com

Tucson Girls Chorus Pop Acapella Showcase

November 21 @ 6:30pm

Get ready to be blown away by the vocal talents of the Tucson Girls Chorus’ Pop Acapella group! Come join in the fun to hear your favorite hits from TGC’s rising stars! Tickets on sale prior to the event performance. For more info, email info@tucsongirlschorus.org

All Frills Holiday Photo Sessions

November 22 & 23
November 28 & 29

Flexible booking times! Celebrate the season with Holiday Portraits at All Frills Studio, located inside the vibrant Catalyst Creative Collective at Tucson Mall! Enjoy an stress-free and joy-filled photo session with All Frills. They even create custom-designed holiday cards! Flex on your friends and family with the ultimate holiday photo that perfectly captures your festive spirit!

Rigby Theater Company Young Playwrights Showcase

November 28 & 29 | 6pm Doors. 6:30pm Show

The Rigby Theater Company’s YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS SHOWCASE returns to Catalyst this fall, producing two short works written by Tucson’s own Student Playwrights in a night of laughs and thrills enough to knock your very socks right off your feet. Hosted by local urban legend SYLAS SMITH, YPS 2025 will be the premiere night for all-student theater in Tucson. In Company tradition, plays are student-directed, student-produced, and performed by an all-student cast. Come see Arizona’s next big-time artists rock your world in Tucson today. Tickets on sale soon!

Free music lessons with Tucson Youth Music

Tuesdays & Wednesdays | 3:30pm – 6:30pm

Tucson Youth Music is still enrolling for their 2025–2026 program year! This long-standing Tucson-based nonprofit offers free music education to children across the community, led by high-quality music teachers in a safe, nurturing environment. Whether your child is just beginning their musical journey or ready to build on their skills, Tucson Youth Music offers a joyful, supportive place to grow.

Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra

CATALYST is proud to partner with the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra for their 2025-26 season, Symphonic Echoes. From soaring romantic melodies to captivating modern soundscapes, each performance will take you on a journey through the depth of human experience — expressed in a way only music can. Rehearsals are held at CATALYST and their season kicks of October 11 in Saddlebrooke and October 12 at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church!

CATALYST PARTNER HIGHLIGHTS

ESPERANZA DANCE PROJECT

Catalyst Partner Esperanza Dance Project will be hosting their Annual Fundraising Gala on November 16 at Site 17 in downtown Tucson. EDP empowers survivors of childhood sexual trauma by eradicating stigma and secrecy while inspiring hope for healing through our impactful dance performance, discussions, and advocacy.

Rising Hope: Annual Fundraising Gala
November 16 | 5 – 7pm @ Site 17

DIVERSE DANCE ARTS

Experience the power and emotion of BREAK — a moving new music video created and filmed at Catalyst Creative Collective as part of the Breaking Through: Diverse Dance Arts Workshop Series led by multidisciplinary artist Chezale Rodriguez. This piece captures the culmination of a four-day creative journey exploring movement, resilience, and unity through dance and music. Filmed by Nicci Radhe of Celesteal Photography, the video beautifully portrays a diverse ensemble of dancers expressing transformation and strength through powerful, inclusive choreography. BREAK is both a celebration of artistry and a testament to collective healing through creative collaboration.

7SOUND & CO Media Group

Congratulations to 7Sound & Co Media Group on their Ourtown student showcase this weekend. Ourtown is an end-to-end model for developing artists to create, produce, publish & perform original works internationally, based right here in Catalyst! Check out their recap video from Sunday’s showcase on their new Instagram page.