We know October is going to be a crazy month. It's nice enough to walk (a short distance) outside, Chaos Theory and the Grand Avenue Festival are right around the corner, and we've been keeping our wide eyes on the growing schedule of Phoenix Design Week(s), a three now four week celebration of local and national design.
What started a few years ago as a few days of exhibitions and get-togethers grew to a national showcase and conference with an official local museum, plus daily activities for the design-minded community.
There are a ton of events on the flexible calendar, but we've picked nine (listed in date-order) that you won't want to miss:
9. Purl Jam
Emerging ASU scholars and designers will showcase their work and results of their research of urban planning and methodology at the The Phoenix Urban Research Laboratory on October 7 from 6 to 8 p.m.. Expect casual discussion, visual models, and a kickass view of Downtown that will engage visitors in Phoenix's urban landscape. Admission is free. Contact Jennifer Kitson at [email protected] to RSVP.
If you can make the trek up to Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale (yes, Scottsdale), a check into the number of runways packed with wears by local and national designers is a must.
Three nights, dozens of designers, and hundreds of outfits -- not to mention the models who wear them -- are bound to be the ingredients of an entertaining and fashionable weekend. Tickets and official schedules are available on the Fashion Week website. Stay tuned to Jackalope Ranch for a rundown on Monday.
The floors of Downtown's historic Seed & Feed building are swept and mopped and the exhibitions are installed. This is Phoenix's first museum dedicated to design -- and it's only around for a couple weeks.
Stop in to see the space's permanent exhibition with work by the late-local designer Kenneth White and traveling work from AIGA members and designers from around the world. Hours are October 8 through November 11, Tuesday through Sunday between 10 am. and 7 p.m.. For more information, check out the Phoenix Design Museum website.
There's nothing like rubbing elbows with a few creatives, and this monthly gathering of networking powerhouses know how it's done. Creative Connect will meet on October 11 at 6 p.m.. There's no agenda and light refreshments are provided. The venue will be announced on the Creative Connect website.
5. Design Tours
Local guides and history buffs Marshall Shore and Alison King are leading tours on October 13. Shore will guide visitors through early examples of Frank Lloyd Wright. He'll start at the First Christian Church that was designed in 1950, built in 1973, and The Arizona Biltmore that was opened in early in 1929.
King will lead mid-century modern fiends through local homes and buildings throughout Phoenix. Tours are from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (ticket holders can only attend one of the four time slots). King will give another round of tours on October 16 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. that will meet at the Phoenix Convention Center. Tickets are $70. More info here.
4. Pivot
Join designers of all backgrounds and levels talk about the the current state and future of design during this three-day series (October 13 though 16) of speakers, workshops, and discussions hosted by AIGA. For a full conference listing and to register (prices vary, depending on AIGA membership and dates attending). Visit the design conference page for more details.
Join designers of all backgrounds and levels talk about the the current state and future of design during this three-day series (October 13 though 16) of speakers, workshops, and discussions hosted by AIGA. For a full conference listing and to register (prices vary, depending on AIGA membership and dates attending). Visit the design conference page for more details.
3. Maker Faire
Crafty friends, our time has arrived. On October 15, Maker Bench Tempe, Roosevelt Row, Tony Felice PR, MAKE Magazine, and CRAFT magazine will join forces to bring science, art, craft, and engineering together in the Roosevelt Row district in downtown Phoenix.
From 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. local and national makers/crafters will show their wares, demonstrate their skills, and celebrate all-things-DIY. Admission is free.
2. Pecha Kucha
Don't worry about pronunciation -- the organizers of the conversation-based, speaker series will bring a group of designers together on October 19 to present 20 slides (at 20 seconds per slide) on their current topic/passion.
There will also be refreshments. Stay tuned to the Pecha Kucha website for location and time details.
1. Map Show
Full disclosure: this is Jackalope Ranch's first curated exhibition, and your chance to see 10 maps of Phoenix designed by 10 local artists. No medium, scope, or size required. The opening is on October 21 at Regular Gallery on Roosevelt and Sixth streets. Doors open at 7 p.m. and admission is free. Get excited.
And there's plenty more on the Phoenix Design Week(s) website.
