17 Art Shows You Should See in Phoenix This Week

Consider this month's First Friday the art equivalent of training wheels. In the next few weeks, two multi-day art happenings go down in metro Phoenix. A mural festival and block party dubbed Paint Phoenix happens March 3 to 5, and the annual Art Detour event takes place March 19 and 20. You'll need serious stamina to see everything in those lineups — and this month's First Friday, with well over a dozen new exhibits to explore, is a fun way to practice your art hopping skills. Start early on Friday, and prioritize exhibitions at the top of your list in case getting to all 17 of these shows proves too much for a single outing.   

“Cura”
The Hive Art Gallery presents works by Karlito Miller Espinosa (a.k.a. Mata Ruda), a muralist who recently moved to metro Phoenix from the East Coast. Espinosa’s work, which includes a migrant mother and child painted last year for a collaborative mural in the Grand Avenue district, reflects the intersection of art with activism and social justice. This exhibition features the artist’s most recent series of paintings exploring contemporary cultural identity. First Friday hours are 7 to 10 p.m. Find more information on the gallery Facebook page.

“Arizona Through the Lens”
Drive-Thru Gallery presents photographs by Gerry Groeber, who specialized in the American Southwest and is known for his strong composition and ability to work with light. Groeber’s work has been featured in several prominent publications, including Arizona Highways. First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Find more information on the event Facebook page.

“Coexist”
The Herberger Theater Art Gallery presents an exhibition curated by Candace Greenburg, which features works created by 22 Arizona artists using diverse media including clay, colored pencil, oil and acrylic paint, metal, wood, and more. During First Friday hours, which are 5:30 to 7 p.m., gallery-goers can also experience live music by Nick Heward and a no-host bar. From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on First Friday, Herberger Theater Center presents an adult coloring party (think crayons) and happy hour on its outdoor patio, which is graced by dancing John Waddell sculptures. Find more information on the Herberger Theater Center website.

“Intersections of (-isms)”
VelNonArt presents an exhibition of works designed to prompts reflection and discussion about “social justice and consciousness.” Participating artists include Abe Zucca, Angel Castro/Halo Movement Collective, Brenda Edwards, Bruce Nelson, Colorology, Douglas J. Proce, Gabriela Castro, Geoff Gildner, Heather J. Kirk, Joe Montaño III, Kim Lyle, Lucretia Torva, Marilyn Szabo, Rembrandt Quiballo, Salvatore A. Leo (S.A.L.), Stan Howard, Susan Naomi Bernstein, Valyntina Grenier, and Wrara Plesoiu. Friday’s exhibition takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. at Live on Central, located 710 North Central Avenue in Phoenix. The evening also includes live musical performance by Samuel Singz. Find more information on the event Facebook page.

“Tres Cabrones”
First Studio presents works by Gennaro Garcia, Frank Ybarra, and Joe Ray – as well as guest artist Emily Costello. First Friday hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Find more information on the event Facebook page.

“Now Thanks”
ASU School of Art presents an MFA thesis exhibition by Katie Horvat, who explores the intersection of human desires and a world filled with images while conjuring thoughts about the ways images of perfection influence human expectations and experience. First Friday hours at ASU’s Step Gallery are 6 to 8 p.m. Find more information on the ASU Events website.

“For Our Children”
1Spot Gallery presents a group exhibition exploring “environmental challenges that the indigenous population is currently facing worldwide.” Featured artists include Damon Begay, Kelly Church, Craig Cleveland, Ashlee Craig, Edgar Fernandez, Marianne Franco. Damian Jim, Jacob Meders, Chris Pappan, Jackie Que, Bobby Wilson, and Eunique Yazzie. First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Find more information on the gallery Facebook page.

“Time Line”
R. Pela Contemporary Art presents metal sculptures and drawings by Kevin Caron. First Friday hours at Central Arts Plaza, located at 1850 North Central in Phoenix, begin at 6 p.m. Find more information on the artist's Facebook page.

“FireSky”
{9} The Gallery presents a solo exhibition of works by Lauren Lee, which explore love, passion, and burning bridges. Each work was inspired by a song from a playlist the artist will share with gallery-goers. First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m. More information is available on the gallery website.

Mike Afsa
Lotus Contemporary Art presents new paintings by Denise Fleish, as well as new works by guest artist Michael Afsa, whose layered mixed media assemblages featuring abstracted flora and fauna serve as metaphors for human qualities. First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Find more information on the gallery Facebook page.

“Mutant Piñata Show” 
Beatrice Moore presents her annual exhibition of piñatas created by local artists and community members, at the Chartreuse gallery located inside Bragg’s Pie Factory. Until last fall, the space was home to Moore’s Frontal Lobe Community Space and Gallery – and Chartreuse gallery operator Nancy Hill is turning the space back over to Moore for her March mutant piñata show. First Friday hours are 6 to 11 p.m., and Babs A'Delic will be doing a live mutant piñata performance at 8 p.m. Find more information on the Bragg's Pie Factory Facebook page.

“All-Members’ Exhibition”
Five15 Arts presents an exhibition featuring works in diverse media by Henry Bellavia, Samuel Dahl, Deborah Hodder, Anne Howey-Falvey, Marlys Kubicek, Hallie Mueller, Mary Shindell, Michelle Terry-Helmick, Joan Thompson, and Wendy Willis. First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Find more information on the gallery Facebook page.

"The Real Nitty Gritty”
The Shade Gallery at monOrchid presents a group exhibition featuring works by muralists and graffiti artists El Mac, Mando Rascon, Pablo Luna, Lalo Cota, 21 Rak, and Thomas “Breeze” Marcus. First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Find more information on the gallery website.

“Ladies First”
Luna Culture Lab, located at 803 East Washington Street in Phoenix, presents work by Deanna S. Reid, whose photographs of Arizona women are meant to convey “the sisterhood behind today’s modern woman.” First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Find more information on the event Facebook page.

"Super Indian: Fritz Scholder , 1967-1980”
Phoenix Art Museum presents more than 40 works by Fritz Scholder in this exhibition, which reveals ways the artist explored stereotypes of American Indians. First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Find more information on the museum website.

“Áname Corazón”
Abloom Salon and Abe Zucca Gallery at Bragg's Pie Factory presents watercolor and ink works by Chela Chelinski. First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Find more information on the event Facebook page.

“Mixed Palette”
Paint Phoenix and Sound & Color located at 1504 Grand Avenue in Phoenix present a group exhibition featuring works by Vyal, Czr Prz, Lalo Cota, Sart, Dytch 66, Steiner, Griffin, Mes One, Douglas Miles, Dwayno Insano, and Adrian Dominic. First Friday hours are 6 to 9 p.m., and sound will be performed live by Cocoe & Ian Frost. Find  more information on the event Facebook page.