That would be a mistake, for a whole bunch of reasons – including the return of popular annual art shows, the chance to mix art with holiday shopping, and brand-new exhibitions featuring work by Jake Early and the Fortoul Brothers.
Here’s a rundown of several December First Friday options, starting with must-see art shows, and additional exhibitions organized by art district — plus news of two new art shows opening on Saturday, December 2.
Must-See Shows
"Printed Desert"
See prints created by Jake Early during the opening reception of his solo exhibition at Practical Art, where First Friday also includes a Holiday Extravaganza event complete with photo booth, cookies, and the chance to make ugly sweaters with Jordan Thomas. First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Learn more on the event's Facebook page.
Fortoul Brothers
Phoenix General and Framed Ewe, who share an exhibition space called Shortcut Gallery, present drawings and limited-edition T-shirts by the Fortoul Brothers, whose work was recently featured at the inaugural Lost Lake Festival. First Friday hours are 5 to 8 p.m. Get details on the exhibit's Facebook page.
[image-21]"SlackR Takeover"
See a new solo exhibition of work by Randy Slack at monOrchid, where First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Slack’s creative accomplishments include organizing the annual “Chaos Theory” exhibition at Legend City Studios. Learn more on the artist’s Facebook page.
"Tiny Works | Tiny Dance III"
{9} The Gallery presents its third iteration of an art show featuring hundreds of small-scale works in various media, as well as contemporary dance performances. Featured dancers include Nicole L. Olson, Travis Richardson, and Alan Khoutakoun. Third Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Learn more on the event's Facebook page.
"Mark Pomilio: Symmetries"
Explore work by Mark Pomilio, who uses recurring geometric forms, including shapes that prompt reflection on the evolving nature of perception and reality. First Friday hours at Bentley Gallery are 6 to 9 p.m. Find more information on the Facebook event page.
See work by Lacey Shelton (detail shown above) in a group exhibit at Herberger Theater Center.
Lacey Shelton
"Rendered Useless"
Phoenix Institute of Contemporary Art presents works by Nick Gutierrez, who considers destructive forces in contemporary society informed by sources that include science fiction, anime, manga, and contemporary artists. See his work, created with media such as aerosol paint, markers, gel media, and India ink, in a shipping container gallery in Roosevelt Row, where First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Learn more on the phICA website.
"Herberger Theater Invitational Exhibit"
Explore work by 21 Arizona artists at the Herberger Art Gallery, which is located at Herberger Theater Center. First Friday’s opening reception runs from 5:30 to 7 p.m. First Friday Live also happens at the Herberger Theater Center that night, from 6 to 9 p.m. Find more information on the venue’s website.
"Unwrapped"
See how a wide variety of artists explore disability and related themes in this community art show that includes work by emerging and established artists. First Friday hours at Warehouse 1005 are 6 to 10 p.m. Learn more on the Art Awakenings Facebook page.
Robert Miley and Release the Fear
The Herberger Gallery at the Arizona Center is showing work by Robert Miley, and art created through the organization Release the Fear, which works to reduce community violence. First Friday hours are 5 to 8 p.m. Get details on the Herberger Theater Center website.
"Days of Yore"
See work by Norman Wilson and Fred Nack at Olney Gallery, located at Trinity Cathedral. Both artists explore nostalgic themes, such as small town life and farm life. Wilson works in water media, and Nack draws with pen and ink. First Friday hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Learn more on the Facebook event page.
Work by artist Bassim Al-Shaker, who is part of the group show at The Lodge Art Studio.
Bassim Al-Shaker
Alwun House presents its 10th exhibition of illuminated work, created using neon, LED lighting, video, fire, and florescence. The First Friday opening reception starts at 7 p.m., and includes music performance by the nine-piece Jerusafunk ensemble. Tickets are $15 at the door ($10 before Friday). Stop by between noon and 5 p.m. on First Friday if you simply want to explore the art (at no charge). Get details on the event's Facebook page.
Grand Avenue
"The State of Phoenix"
The Lodge Art Studio is showing work by Phoenix artists Bassim Al-Shaker, Laura Spalding Best, Tato Caraveo, Lalo Cota, Lisa Jacobs Handler, Megan Koth, Rafael Navarro, Chadwick Uptain, Lucinda Yrene, and Abe Zucca. First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Get details on the exhibit Facebook page.
See work by printmakers, including Manny Burruel (detail shown above), at First Studio.
Manny Burruel
See work exploring the decay and rebirth of urban environments, as Chartreuse gallery presents paintings by Michael Viglietta. The abstract artist uses acrylic paint and collage to create layered pieces on diverse surfaces including metal, wood, and canvas. First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Learn more on the Chartreuse website.
"105 Days"
See sculptures in various media created by students at the ASU School of Art, whose work ranges from whimsical to contemplative. First Friday hours at Grand ArtHaus are 6:30 to 9 p.m. Get details on the venue Facebook page.
See work by Aileen Frick (detail shown above) at Found:RE Phoenix.
Aileen Frick/Photo by Lynn Trimble
Explore historical and contemporary conceptions of female leadership through work by Cherie Buck-Hutchison, who draws on her experience of growing up in a patriarchal religious cult. First Friday hours at Sisao Gallery inside Oasis on Grand are 6 to 10 p.m. Learn more on the exhibit's Facebook page.
"Real Estate Agent Series"
See 10 new paintings by Abe Zucca, who is also showing additional work at Abe Zucca Gallery inside Abloom Salon. First Friday hours are 7 to 10 p.m. Get details on the exhibit Facebook page.
Cássio Vasconcellos, Uma vista (A View), 2002. Lambda print. Variable dimensions. Museum of Modern Art, São Paulo Collection, Gift of Ursula Erika Marianna Baumgart.
Cássio Vasconcellos
Light the Night
Phoenix Art Museum is offering free admission from 6 to 10 p.m. on First Friday. Museumgoers can also enjoy free access to the “Past/Future/Present: Contemporary Brazilian Art from the Museum of Modern Art, São Paolo” exhibition when they donate three nonperishable food items at the museum that night. Find more information on the event's Facebook page.
Work by Jessica Palomo previously exhibited at ASU Harry Wood Gallery.
Jessica Palomo/Photo by Lynn Trimble
Found:RE Phoenix presents an exhibition of mixed-media work by Aileen Frick, who explores individuals’ relationships with themselves and others. Look for her work in the hotel lobby during First Friday exhibit hours, which are 6 to 10 p.m. Learn more on the exhibit Facebook page.
"The Silkscreen Six"
Take in prints created with diverse methods and styles by artists John Arvizu, Janet Burruel, Manny Burruel, Emily Costello, Louis Giordano, and Jeremy Yocum. First Friday hours at First Studio are 6 to 10 p.m. Find more information on the First Studio Facebook page.
"Big Works"
Watch live mural painting and listen to live music at New City Studio, where First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Participating artists are Laura Spalding Best, Isaac Caruso, Jessica Palomo, and Clyde. Get more information on the Facebook event page.
Small sampling of works shown during a previous "Tiny Works|Tiny Dances" exhibit at {9} The Gallery.
Lynn Trimble
"Caracas: Tierra de Noche"
ASU School of Art presents an installation by Verónica Aponte, whose work explores her Venezuelan identity and invites gallery visitors to participate. First Friday hours at Step Gallery are 6 to 9 p.m. Find details on the Facebook event page.
Other Areas
"Little Works, Little Wonders"
Check out small-scale paintings by artists in a group called The Ladies Who Paint, which includes Lenay Hughes, Cindy Schnackel, and Tara Sharpe, to name a few. First Friday hours at The Artery are 6 to 9 p.m. Learn more on the Facebook exhibit page.
Work by Cindy Schnackel shown during a recent The Ladies Who Paint exhibition.
Cindy Schnackel/Photo by Lynn Trimble
"La Virgencita"
Explore paintings, sculpture, and photography by more than a dozen artists, including Diana Calderon, Sam Gomez, Martin Moreno, and Adam "A-Bomb" Vigil. Saturday's opening reception at Sagrado Galleria, which runs from 5 to 9 p.m., includes a 7 p.m. performance by Flor De Oro, and mercado hosted by the Cihuapactli Collective. Learn more on the event Facebook page.
"Cuentos de Tinta y Fuego"
Xico Arte y Cultura is showing works by Latina artists Christina Cárdenas and Dora Hernández — including prints, ceramics, photography, and paintings. Saturday's opening reception takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. Get details on the event Facebook page.
Editor's note: This post has been updated from its original version.
