15 Free Art Shows to See During February First Friday in Metro Phoenix

Metro Phoenix artists have been up to some cool stuff lately — using paintbrushes, iPhones, 3-D printers, and more. First Friday is a great way to explore what local artists have been creating. Here’s a roundup of venues presenting shows on February 5 that will help you get started.

“Pigment & Power”
Chartreuse presents works by Paradise Valley artist Fred Tieken and Los Angeles artist Michael Flechtner, whose art explores the absurdities of popular culture. Friday’s reception takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. Find more information on the Chartreuse website.

“Desert Chandeliers”
Five15 Arts presents works by Mary Shindell, whose “Inflection Point” exhibition at Five15 Arts in early 2015 inspired her New Times Best of Phoenix award for “Best Use of Desert Topography.” Friday’s reception takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. Find more information on the Five15 Arts Facebook page.

“Endless Line”
R. Pela Contemporary Art presents “Endless Line: 3-D Printed Work by Kevin Caron,” which is the first solo exhibition to feature Caron’s full-scale sculptures and jewelry created using 3-D technologies. First Friday’s opening at Walter Art Gallery starts at 6 p.m., and Caron will have a 3-D printer up and running during the event. Find more information on the R. Pela Contemporary Art website. (Editor's note: Robrt Pela is a longtime contributor to New Times.)

“Gianfranco Ferré Designs”
Phoenix Art Museum presents an exhibition of more than 80 sketches by Italian designer Gianfranco Ferré — and several translations of sketches into garments. Visitors will find models and drawing materials throughout the museum, and will also have the opportunity to explore other exhibitions. First Friday free admission and activities begin at 6 p.m. (you'll pay $8 if you want to see "Michelangelo: Sacred and Profane" and/or "The White Shirt According to Me"). A poetry reading by Terrance Hayes takes place at 7:00, and Arizona Opera will perform at 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30. Find more information on the Phoenix Art Museum website.

“734”
Unexpected Art presents a large-scale art collaboration between visual artist Karina Niño de Rivera and interactive light designer Devin Fleenor. Friday’s opening, which takes runs 6 to 10 p.m., includes musical performance by Lorin McLain of the Phoenix band Filabusta between 7 and 8:30. Find more information on the Unexpected Art Facebook page.

“Re-Sent”
Oscuro Collective presents “Re-Sent: Video Art Exploring the Weird Side of the Internet,” which features video installations co-created by digital communication and media artists Sam Angiulo and Michael Castaneda, whose work explores “the lines between wasting time and making art” revealed by time spent swiping devices during one’s downtime. The opening runs from 7 to 10 p.m. on First Friday at Fifth Row Dance Studios and includes musical performance by both artists. Find more information on the event Facebook page.

“Origins”
The Hive presents its first solo exhibition of works by painter and muralist Aztec Smurf. The show includes new works exploring traditional themes with a twist. Images featured in the exhibition are designed to prompt questions about visitors and saints in religious art, while paying homage to master painters in the history of Western civilization. Friday’s opening is from 7 to 10 p.m. Find more information on The Hive website.

“Between Paint and Madness Lies Art”
Lotus Contemporary Art presents new works by Denise Fleisch, as well as works by James Hernandez. Friday’s opening reception is from 6 to 10 p.m. Find more information on the Lotus Contemporary Art Facebook page.

“Mystery Box”
First Studio presents a group exhibition of works created using digital technologies, including the iPhone and iPad. Featured artists include Linda Ingraham, Jaime Glasser, Roberta Hancock, Deborah McMillion, Bobbi McMurry, Larry McLaughlin, Jeffory Morris, and Susan Murtaugh. First Friday’s opening runs 6 to 10 p.m. Find more information on the First Studio Facebook page.

“Creative Push”
ASU's Step Gallery at Grant Street Studios presents a multi-media art and oral history project about birth, which includes artwork and audio stories. The opening, which takes place 6 to 9 p.m. on First Friday, features a 7:30 dance performance by Angeline Young. Head to Grant Street Studios early if you want to see a film screening of Irene Lusztig’s The Motherhood Archives, which starts at 4 p.m. Lusztig will be present for the introduction and a Q & A session. Find more information on the Step Gallery website.

“The Last Bookstores”
Phoenix Public Library presents “The Last Bookstores: America’s Resurgent Independents,” an exhibition featuring photographs and interviews that document the bookstore industry during a period of historic changes. Friday’s opening reception at Burton Barr Central Library’s @Central Gallery takes place 6:30 to 8 p.m. Find more information on the Phoenix Public Library website.

“Shapes of Humanity”
{9} The Gallery presents an exhibition of works by Jon Wassom, whose figural compositions explore emotions, sexuality, and other aspects of the human condition. Friday’s opening takes place 6 to 10 p.m. Find more information in the {9} The Gallery Facebook page.

“People, Place and State”
Shade Projects at monOrchid presents “Chris Maker: People, Place and State, 2005-2015,” an exhibition of works that reflect a decade of Maker’s artistic development – which has been influenced by his forays into architecture and city planning. In monOrchid's Bokeh Gallery, Shade Projects presents “Conjuring the Consecrated,” featuring works by Cherie Buck-Hutchinson. Friday openings for both exhibitions are from 6 to 10 p.m. Find more information on the monOrchid website.

“Hands”
Olney Gallery at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral presents paintings by Hugo Medina, each of which feature hands – a reflection of the artist’s belief that hands reveal a great deal about a person's history and daily life. Friday’s opening takes place 6 to 9 p.m. Find more information in the Olney Gallery Facebook page.

“John Tuomisto-Bell”
Downtown Artists Collective presents an exhibition of works by John Tuomisto-Bell, which features paintings from his “Falling Man” series, at Fair Trade Cafe. Downtown Artists Collective is also showing works by additional artists – including Jeff Slim, Daniel Shepherd, Jules Demetrius, and Darlene Ritter – at other locations. Friday’s opening for the Tuomisto-Bell exhibition takes place 6 to 8 p.m. Find more information on the Downtown Artists Collective Facebook page.