11 Arts Shows You Should See in Downtown Phoenix This Week

In a couple of weeks, it'll be time for everyone to wallow in shame over all the things they should have done in 2015 but never did. For those already starting to fervently wish they'd spent more time supporting local arts and culture, December's Third Friday is a chance to alleviate those twinges of angst. Here are 11 new art shows not to miss on December 18.

"Psychic Space Twins”
Palabra Collective presents a “colorful, bold, and psychedelic collaboration” by Phoenix-based Oliver Hibert and Kansas-based Jacqueline Denton, who have worked together since 2013 on several painting and illustration projects. Their work is “inspired by 1960s psychedelia, sexuality, and horror.” Hibert’s clients include Disney, Nike, and Penguin Books. It’s been about a a decade since his work was exhibited in Phoenix. Third Friday hours on December 18 begin at 7 p.m. Find more information on the event Facebook page.

“Traces”
Artist William LeGoullon is curating a show called “Traces” as part of the Phoenix Institute of Contemporary Art emerging curator program. The exhibition, which features photographic works by Edgar Cardenas and Buzzy Sullivan, explores the landscape “as an active and participatory concept that is constantly being reshaped and challenged by human innovation and ideas.” It’s being shown in one of three shipping container galleries located in Roosevelt Row. Third Friday’s opening on December 18 takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. Find more information on the phICA website.

“[nä-´stal-je]”
Eye Lounge presents a group exhibition by members of the Eye Lounge artist collective, who works in various media for this show relate to the concept of nostalgia – including “a bittersweet longing for things, persons, or situations of the past” and “a sentimentality for the past, typically for a period or place with not always happy personal associations.” The Third Friday opening on December 18 takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. Live poetry readings begin at 7 p.m. Find more information on the Eye Lounge Facebook page.

“Microcosms”
Modified Arts presents an exhibition of recent works by Thomas “Breeze” Marcus, best known to some for his mural works in and beyond metro Phoenix. His fine line work is “an homage to his Tohono O’odham ancestors and their style of basket weaving that includes complex patterns.” Marcus’ works of fine art are shown at Blue Rain Gallery in Santa Fe, but it has been nearly three years since he has presented a solo exhibition in Phoenix. The Third Friday opening on December 18 takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. Find more information on the Modified Arts Facebook page.

“Toy Art Show”
The Firehouse Gallery presents works by more than 20 local artists meant to conjure childhood memories as they “breathe life into play and make us rejoice.” Artists are showing pieces that include stuffed animals, puppets, photographs, toy collage, and more. The Third Friday opening, which takes place from 6 to 11 p.m. on December 18, also features entertainment such as live music, spoken word, dance, comedy, theatrical scenes, and more. Find more information on the Firehouse Gallery Facebook page.

“Phoenix Industrial Park”
Phoenix Institute of Contemporary Art presents an exhibition of works by Daniel Alcalá in one of three shipping container galleries in Roosevelt Row. The exhibition, which explores the artist’s “ideas and impressions of uncontrolled growth of cities and the consequent alteration of the landscape,” is part of phICA’s “Onloaded 3” exhibition series. Third Friday hours for this exhibition on December 18 are 6 to 10 p.m. Find more information on the phICA website.

“Triumvirate”
The Hive presents an exhibition of collaborative paintings by Tato Caraveo, James B. Hunt (NXOEED), and JB Snyder – who’ve been working at the Allery art space off a 5th Street alley filled with murals and graffiti art. The title, conceived by art preparator Zachary Dean Glover, references “the pen, brush and paint can that serve as the trio’s logo.” Local art buffs know Snyder and Caraveo from collaborative murals painted around downtown Phoenix, and Hunt from his practice of hiding art around the city with a “finders, keepers” approach. Third Friday hours on December 18 are 7 to 10 p.m. Find more information on The Hive's Facebook Page.

"New Life"
Warehouse 1005 presents works by Ruth Alexander, who specializes in abstract acrylic paintings, which were created in the Roosevelt Row working studio/gallery space for a program called Art Awakenings – which engages emerging and established artists living with mental illness in various forms of creative expression including visual arts and music. Third Friday hours on December 18 are 6 to 9 p.m. Find more information on the Art Awakenings website. 

“The Art of Fearlessly Doing Business”
{9} The Gallery presents works by Michelle Neal “inspired by the stories of 13 unique and fearless business leaders in the Valley of the Sun." Twenty percent of proceeds from works sold will be donated to the Arizona Consortium of the Arts, which is working to “establish a multicultural, multidisciplinary arts space/center with an open door policy.” Third Friday hours for this exhibition on December 18 are 6 to 9 p.m. Find more information on the {9} The Gallery Facebook page.

“Believe We Are Magic”
Eye Lounge presents an exhibition of works by Cherie Buck-Hutchinson, who “revisits her past by divining a female narrative within certain patriarchal religious practices” in order to inspire questions about “why and how we continue to shift culturally.” Third Friday hours for this exhibition on December 18 are 6 to 10 p.m. Find more information on the Eye Lounge Facebook page.

“No Showroom”
An installation by Alberto Aguilar for one of the three shipping container galleries in Roosevelt Row will explore the very nature of these galleries as part of the Phoenix Institute of Contemporary Art exhibition series titled “Onloaded 3.” Third Friday hours for this show on December 18 are 6 to 10 p.m. Find more information on the phICA website.