Phoenix Summer 2017 Best Art Shows | Phoenix New Times
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Your Guide to 13 Must-See Summer Art Shows in Metro Phoenix

From galleries and libraries to the airport.
Work by Michael Pierre Price included in a summer exhibition at Art Intersection.
Work by Michael Pierre Price included in a summer exhibition at Art Intersection. Michael Pierre Price/Courtesy of Art Intersection
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There’s no excuse for playing the boredom card this summer. Phoenix is home to an array of art exhibitions during July and August, and several shine a light on Arizona's own emerging and established artists. Here are 13 you shouldn't miss.

"All Art Arizona"
Art Intersection
Through July 15

Art Intersection spotlights emerging and established Arizona artists working in diverse media, including painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed media, photography, ceramics, and metals. Featured artists include Ron Bimrose, Brian Boner, Sam Fresquez, and Tess Mosko Scherer. Get details on the Art Intersection website.

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Work by Rodrigo Luff, which is part of "Flourish" at Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum.
Rodrigo Luff/Courtesy of Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum
"Flourish: A Survey of the New Contemporary Movement"
Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum
Through August 6

Explore three galleries filled with work in various media created by national and international artists. Curated by the Thinkspace art collective in Los Angeles, the show's featured artists include Mesa-based Frank Gonzales and Mesa-born Esao Andrews. Get more information on the Mesa Arts Center website.

Work by Roy Wasson Valle, who is part of the Annual Summer MFA Exhibition at Harry Wood Gallery.
Roy Wasson Valle/Photo by Lynn Trimble
Annual Summer MFA Exhibition
ASU Tempe Campus/Harry Wood Gallery
Through August 11

See work in several media by 19 graduate art students at Arizona State University, juried by Sara Cochran, director and chief curator for Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Featured artists include Lena Klett, Cydnei Mallory, Roy Wasson Valle, and Chris Vena. Learn more on the ASU School of Art website.

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Diego Rivera work that's part of "Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera" at the Heard Museum.
Diego Rivera/Courtesy of Heard Museum
"Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera"
Heard Museum
Through September 4

Explore 33 pieces in various media by these famed 20th century Mexican artists, as well as more than 50 photographs of the artists and a display featuring clothing and jewelry representing Kahlo’s region and style. Find details on the Heard Museum website.

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Detail of Christine Lee work exhibited at The Gallery at TCA.
Christine Lee/Photo by Lynn Trimble
"Biomimicry: Nature Inspired Design"
The Gallery at Tempe Center for the Arts
Through August 26

See work in various media inspired by designs found in nature. Participating Arizona artists include Matthew Baral, Jose Benavides, Alexandra Bowers, Alan Bur Johnson, Christine Cassano, Halldor Hjalmarson, Nissa Kubly, Christine Lee, Emily Longbrake, and Damon McIntyre. Learn more on the Tempe Center for the Arts website.

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Work by Jessica Joslin that's part of a summer exhibition at Lisa Sette Gallery.
Jessica Joslin/Courtesy of Lisa Sette Gallery
David Kroll and Jessica Joslin
Lisa Sette Gallery
Through August 26

Explore two artists’ vastly different takes on the natural world. David Kroll infuses his oil paintings with birds and butterflies, while Jessica Joslin creates sculptures that blend tiny skeleton parts with antiquated fixtures. Get more information on the Lisa Sette Gallery website.

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Work by Hakyoung Kim chosen for Tilt Gallery's summer exhibition.
Hakyoung Kim/Courtesy of Tilt Gallery
"Infinite Possibility II: Imagination & Creation"
Tilt Gallery
Through August 26

See work by 13 artists, juried by Lisa Volpe, associate curator of photography for Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Featured artists include Betsy Feick, Randi Ganulin, Sandra Klein, and Jane Szabo. Get more information on the Tilt Gallery website.

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Work by Johannes Schoffer exhibited at ASU Art Museum.
Johannes Schoffer/Courtesy of ASU Art Museum
"Staying Power"
ASU Art Museum
Through September 2

ASU Art Museum showcases work by more than a dozen artists from its permanent collection, including pieces by Latin American and Latinx artists, historical and contemporary prints, and 20th century and contemporary ceramics. Featured artists include Siri Devi Khandavilli, SUPERFLEX, and Justseeds Artists’ Cooperative. Get details on the ASU Art Museum website.

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Detail of Mary Meyer work exhibited at Phoenix Art Museum.
Mary Meyer/Courtesy of Phoenix Art Museum
"2016 Contemporary Forum Artists Grant Winners"
Phoenix Art Museum
Through September 17

See work by Arizona artists honored last year by the Phoenix Art Museum support organization called Contemporary Forum. This exhibition includes work by David Emmit Adams, Christine Cassano, Bryan David Griffith, Constance McBride, and Mary Meyer. It’s on view in conjunction with “Rise Fall Rise,” a solo exhibition by Arizona artist Patricia Sannit. Get details on the Phoenix Art Museum website.

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Robert Motherwell work in a summer exhibition at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art.
Robert Motherwell/Photo by Lynn Trimble
"[dis]functional: Products of Conceptual Design"
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
Through September 24

Explore the line between art and design through work that ignores traditional takes on mass consumption in favor of non-functional beauty. The exhibition features art by several Arizona creatives, including Kim Cridler and Laurie Lundquist. Get more information on the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art website.

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Detail of Shonto Begay work exhibited at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Shonto Begay/Photo by Lynn Trimble
"Drawn to Pattern"
Terminal 4 Gallery at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Through October 29

On view at the airport is work by more than a dozen artists, including several based in metro Phoenix, who often incorporate strong patterns in their work. Participating artists includes Shonto Begay, Sam Chung, and Christy Lasater, and Carrie Marill. See additional pattern-based works in eight airport display cases. Find more information on the Phoenix Airport Museum website.

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Work by Danielle Wood previously exhibited at Shemer Art Center.
Danielle Wood/Photo by Lynn Trimble
Shemer Instructor & Student Exhibition
Shemer Art Center
July 18 to September 7

Shemer Art Center displays work by its instructors, who include well-known Phoenix artists such as Constance McBride and Danielle Wood, as well as Shemer students. Get details on the Shemer Art Center website.

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Detail of Swapna Das artwork previously exhibited at ASU's Harry Wood Gallery.
Swapna Das/Photo by Lynn Trimble
"Abstract Metamorphosis"
Central Gallery at Burton Barr Central Library
July 21 to August 25
(This exhibit will be rescheduled due to the library's temporary closure caused by storm damage)

See charcoal drawings by Swapna Das, who explores the Buddhist concept of 10 Worlds while embracing the idea that creativity and spirituality are intertwined. Learn more on the Phoenix Public Library website.

Editor's note: This post has been updated from its original version.

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