The Presidio of Tubac was founded in 1752 as the first permanent Spanish colonial settlement
in what is now Arizona, Tubac has a rich history spanning over 1,000 years. First as an ancient Indian settlement, then as a Spanish presidio,
then as the headquarters for American mining exploration, and then, starting in the mid-twentieth century, as an artist colony.
Tubac is world famous as both a significant historical site and as an artists' community.
In 1775 Tubac Presidio Captain Juan Batista de Anza launched his expedition to found San Francisco and Tucson also owes its founding to the Presidio of Tubac.
Aldea de Artisticas, which is located just north of the Tubac Presidio State Park, includes two buildings on the National Historic Registry which can
be found on a 1767 map of the area.

Nancy Valentine is the current owner of Aldea de Artisticas. Valentine's parents were some of the original art colonists of Tucson in the 1960’s and helped found the famous Tubac Art Festival.
The site is not only significant as part of Arizona’s Spanish Colonial history, it is also significant as being where art and history actually met in Tubac.
Valentine desires to continue the tradition of art and history on the site and is looking for participation by a special person or group of people
who want to carry on the tradition where art and history meets for generations to come.

To that end Valentine has undertaken a land use planning effort and engineering feasibility analysis to allow for her property to be re-platted
as well as two neighboring properties, to create a complex of residences and art studios blended into the existing historic environment.

The ultimate goal is to pass the Aldea de Artisticas site into the hands of individuals or an entity that have a reverence and appreciation for the parcels’ significant
attributes at the heart of the tradition of "Tubac: Where Art and History Meet," the financial capacity to take the project through to completion, and a commitment to foster
and perpetuate its sustainability in the future for the benefit of its residents, participants and the broader community.
This is a unique opportunity for people with a unique appreciation for history and the arts on a
site that has long been the heart of Tubac.
The development plan proposal click here.
For more information about the Aldea de Artisticas Planned Area Development
project and participation opportunities click here