"Loloma: Expressions in Metal, Ink and Clay"
Charles Loloma was pretty much a badass in the jewelry world. While most expect Native jewelry to feature silver and turquoise, Loloma incorporated materials like pearls, ivory, and wood into award-winning designs and drew inspiration both from his own Hopi background and other cultures. On top of conquering the art of jewelry, Loloma was skilled in other media as well, like drawing and weaving.
The Heard Museum, 2301 North Central Avenue, will feature pen and ink drawings and a variety of his other pieces in "Loloma: Expressions in Metal, Ink and Clay" through the beginning of October. The museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, March 2, and admission is $18 for adults. For more information, visit www.heard.org. Evie Carpenter
"36th Annual Contemporary Crafts"
Calling the artists participating in the "36th Annual Contemporary Crafts" exhibition "crafters" would certainly do them injustice. These aren't papier-mâché, Popsicle stick houses, and yarn dream catchers, but finely conceived art pieces formed within traditional craft media such as metals, wood, glass, ceramics, fibers, basketry, jewelry, book arts, and paper-making. Fifty-one artworks by 30 artists from a dozen states --including 15 Arizona artists--presently have their works showcased in the Dobson Gallery through Sunday, April 5. Mesa's Jeff Reich was the top winner in this wide-ranging craft extravaganza, taking home the Jurors' Choice Award.
Craft lovers should drop by the Mesa Contemporary Arts, 1 East Main Street, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, for a look. Admission is free. Visit www.mesaartscenter.com or call 480-644-5000. Glenn BurnSilver
"Andy Warhol: Portraits"
Let's face it, some of Andy Warhol's best work was all about the close-up. While his soup can prints made a splash for their stark take on consumerism, just as iconic are his colorful takes on such celebrities as Marilyn Monroe, Prince, and Liza Minelli. The pop art star's high-color commodifications of famous folks, proto-selfies, and Polaroid pics are collected and presented, alongside various videos and drawings, in "Andy Warhol: Portraits."
Eye the works at Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 North Central Avenue, and through June 21. Hours on Wednesday are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is regularly $15 for adults, but free on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to close. Call 602-257-1880 or visit www.phxart.org. Becky Bartkowski
Shakespeare at The Herberger
Shakespeare frequently wrote about dancing and music, but that Renaissance-y capering isn't the stuff of Center Dance Ensemble's Shakespeare at the Herberger, featuring "The Fateful Loves of Hamlet" and new dances inspired by The Tempest, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Macbeth, and A Midsummer Night's Dream (the play with the ass' head!). Center Dance is Herberger Theater's resident modern dance company, so you'll see nicely toned instruments (bodies) and innovative interpretation through movement.
An abbreviated Lunch Time Theater version of the program takes place at 12:10 p.m. Thursday, March 5, with tickets priced at $6, and the full concert opens at 7:30 p.m. with admission at $14 to $28. Performances are at 222 East Monroe Street through Sunday, March 8. Get tickets at 602-252-8497 or www.herbergertheater.org. Julie Peterson
See also: 13 Must-See Dance Performances in Metro Phoenix This Spring
"instApache"
Douglas Miles, who lives and works on the San Carlos Apache-Akimel O'odham Reservation hours outside Phoenix, is known for his updated approach to Native American art and culture. Balancing fine art and street art, he is able to toe fine line, creating representations of both community and popular culture.
Miles -- whose "Apache X" showcase drew numerous gallery goers last spring -- returns to the Valley with "instApache Filtered Rezolution: Social Media Now." The month-long show features Instagram snapshots of Indigenous culture in a society steeped in fierce formalities and tradition -- some seemingly outdated, some not.
The free exhibition debuts from 6 to 10 p.m. on First Friday, March 6, at the Bokeh Gallery in MonOrchid, 214 East Roosevelt Street. Visit www.monorchid.com. Janessa Hilliard
See also: Douglas Miles' "APACHE X" Is the Best Show in a While for Phoenix's MonOrchid
