A little of this, a little of that. It's what we do this time of year -- with food, spare time, and family gathered for the holidays. So we've picked five exhibitions that'll help you explore the diversity of Arizona artists in some delightfully different settings.
"Snoop"
Halt Gallery, one of two Roosevelt A.R.T.S. Market spaces consisting of transformed shipping containers, holds the opening reception for a new show titled "Snoop" during this month's Third Friday. The exhibition features 14 works by three artists -- Peter Bugg, Christopher Jagmin, and Lisa Van Hoffner. Works being shown include Bugg's hand-cut paper and acrylic Celine (2014) and Von Hoffner's acrylic and oil on wood Survey. We're eager to see how they mix-it up with three artists in one modest space -- and to check out the new mural they've commissioned Jagmin to paint on the gallery's east exterior side. December Third Friday hours are 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and the closing reception takes place during First Friday on January 2. For more information, visit the Halt Gallery website.
See also: Arizona Arts Education Access is Improving, But Still Pretty Dismal
"dos"
A new exhibition opening at Palabra, a hip hair and art collective, features a dozen or so works in diverse mediums. Think acrylic, aerosol, oil, ink, graphite, micron, pyrography, and photography. Featured artists include Mikey Jackson, Sentrock, Jeff Slim, Ashley Macias, Yai, Kevin Aviles, Tyson Krankk, and Enrique Garcia. The opening reception during December's Third Friday kicks off at 7 p.m. For more information, visit the Palabra Facebook page.
"Under Television Skies"
Throw your remote control in the circular file, then head to First Studio, once home to a television studio, to enjoy works by artists exploring "visions of life lived in the glare of the TV." The exhibition features a fun assortment of more than two dozen works by over a dozen artists including Jeff Falk, Richard Bledsoe, Geoff Gildner, Laurie Provost, and curator Kristine Kollasch -- who notes that her installation includes an image of a friend who has passed on to comfort us through the companionship of a constant television glow. The exhibition continues through January 16, so folks who love it can return with friends for the closing reception during January's Third Friday event (which features spoken word performance). While you're there, check out the Wallace and Ladmo mural that graces one of the studio's exterior walls. December Third Friday hours are 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, visit the First Studio Facebook page.
"Visions of Phoenix: Reality and Surreality"
Modified Arts opens a group show curated by Connor Descheemaker this Friday, featuring the works of seven artists who have delved beyond the polished Phoenix presented by people populating public relations land. Featured artists include James Angel, Laura Spalding Best, Aileen Frick, Randal Wilson, Rafael Navarro. Dana Buhl, and Sean Deckert -- whose works include collage, photography, painting, and more. Descheemaker describes the show as "a mix of literal interpretations of Phoenix as a work in progress and more surrealistic and detached visions." This Friday's opening reception takes place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Find more information on the Modified Arts website.
"2X Mummer to the Aesthetic"
The East Gallery at Eye Lounge is featuring a solo exhibition of works by Merkel McLendon, but you can pop across the hallway to the Project Room while you're there to explore the "One" exhibition featuring works by Cheryl Brandon and Constance McBride. Third Friday hours are 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Find more information on the Eye Lounge website.
While you're out and about, be on the lookout for small businesses and art venues plying their holiday wares. Best to bring the holiday shopping list along so you can do the localist shopping thing while getting your art on.
See also: 10 Best Places to Holiday Shop for Art Lovers in Metro Phoenix
