Sunnyslope has always been a community "on the verge" of something, and holds it own charm, from the quirky Sunnyslope Rock Garden to its historic home tours and other points of pride. This weekend, Sunnyslope will continue its second Saturdays tradition with the Sunnyslope Art Walk.
More than 150 artists and seven bands are scheduled to participate, and art runs the gamut, from photography to paintings to ceramics and wood work. It might be impossible to see everything, so we're highlighted some must-see artists, like Stephen Bunyard.
Bunyard, 43, uses a variety of mediums, including photography and sculpture, but his pottery is particularly eye-catching. Bunyard creates bowls, plates, and vases with ornate dragons and Asian motifs. His work will be shown at Sunnyslope Village Center, alongside works by such artists as Alysia Bretz (nature photography), Robert Lievens (wood works like mesquite and agave wind chimes), and painter Keven Siegert, whose paintings of Arizona landscapes brim with eye-popping sharp lines and colors.
Grinder's Coffee will play host to a number of artists, including Cynthia Baysdorfer, site administrator for Art Awakenings, and painter Alice Okinowski. American Valet will show, among other things, the glass works of Chris Hard and the gem and bead jewelry of Dawne Hennessy.
Another venue worth checking out is Nielsen Design Studios, where painters Samantha Inlow of What-A-Hoot! Art and Roman Kobryn will be showing. Inlow's paintings feature strange creatures, colorful flora, and noir-ish cityscapes. Kobryn, a Mesa resident who was born in the Ukraine, has a stunning body of work that ranges from pop culture paintings of movie stars like Marilyn Monroe to surreal landscapes to triptych paintings of trees.
While patrons walk around and peruse the art in the Sunnyslope, they can also enjoy live music by bands like Hacksaw's Blues, Full Moon Jazz, and The Swamp Coolers. A complete list of music acts and artists participating in Sunnyslope Art Walk is available at www.sunnyslopecommunity.org.
The Sunnyslope Art Walk takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 9, along Central Avenue from Dunlap south toward the canal. Visit www.sunnyslopecommunity.org for more information.
