Art walks are more often about people watching and shenanigans and less about the actual art. We're here to guide you through both. Presenting our very own Field Guide -- an evolving guide to art walks around town.
From time to time, we'll introduce some of our favorite spots and dish out some insider information. If you have any tips or tricks, share 'em in the comments section.
Here's a peek at our guide to Downtown's First Friday for Dec 7...
More hints after the jump ...
See also: - Kathleen Vanesian Reviews "Sue Chenoweth: Real and Applied" at Modified Arts in This Week's New Times - Phoenix Festival of the Arts: A Three-Day Celebration Promises to Unify the Arts Community in December - Crafeteria: The Crafty, Handmade Lineup for 2012
On the Map:
Sue Chenoweth @ Modified Arts For five weeks, Sue Chenoweth lived and breathed creative culture in Rio de Janeiro. In 2012 the artist was chosen to participate in the abroad arts residency, sponsored by the Phoenix Institute of Contemporary Arts, and reveals her work created in Brazil this November at Modified Arts, 407 East Roosevelt Street.
Chenoweth is a painter who describes her work as a spiritual process: "I have to fall into an abyss of unknowing to get to a new place of understanding." She's shown in galleries and museums throughout Phoenix and across the United States, but her upcoming exhibition, titled "Sue Chenoweth: Real and Applied," is the painter's first international solo show. Read the full review by Kathleen Vanesian here.
Phoenix Festival of the Arts @ Phoenix Center for the Arts Grab some cash and get ready for a display of serious creative talent. Phoenix Center for the Arts will host the first Phoenix Festival of the Arts, a three-day celebration that aims to unite local artists and arts organizations with a public arty party.
"The Phoenix Festival of the Arts grew from the realization that Phoenix didn't have its own signature arts festival," Joseph Benesh writes. "It also presents an opportunity to represent what the Center does best, which is to represent all the different art mediums."
Benesh also notes that the festival will differ from Art Detour -- a weekend arts celebration with a similar mission scheduled for March 2 and 3 -- and will cater to all kinds of art forms, including dance, performance, and music.
Crafeteria @ Medlock Plaza It's that time of year when the weather cools down, the creative-project lists get a little longer, and the team behind Frances, a boutique in uptown Phoenix, selects a group of its favorite artisans to share their goods with the community.
Crafeteria is an annual gathering of local artists who sell their handmade knits, jewelry, paper goods, paintings, buttons, accessories, and more. Frances employees say hundreds of applications were submitted and went through a juried process that selected 40 vendors.
Pro tips: Bring cash and keep an eye out for designs by Daniel Davis and Joshua Rhodes, prints by Brent Bond, paintings by Danielle Hacche, toys and housewares by Handmade Riot, greeting cards by Miro Chun, jewelry by Alex Ozers, and ceramic and wax goods by Samantha Irwin and Andrew King.
SIGNS AND WONDERS The Ultimate Exhibit @ Deus Ex Machina For five years, Phoenix artists Michele Bledsoe, Richard Bledsoe, Jeff Falk, Steve Gompf, Dain Quentin Gore, Annie Lopez, Heather Smith-Gearns have showcased new work at Deus Ex Machina on Grand Avenue. And this month, they're saying goodbye to their space. "We exist in a web of signs and wonders that will always guide us, if we only have the eyes to see them. Now the synchronicities have aligned to show new horizons calling, and we must press onwards," Deus Ex members write. "December 7 will be the 5th anniversary of our original opening date in 2007. December 2012 will be our last show. Thanks to all who have supported us along the way-our patrons, guest artists and performers, gallery mates and partners, friends. You made it all worth while. Hope to see you all on First Friday as we celebrate the times we had."
Useful Hints:
• There is a ton going on, so get there early, find a parking spot, get a snack (and a water bottle), and pace yourself.
•The Phoenix Art Museum has great parking (and great art, go figure).
• On-street parking is limited along Fifth and Sixth streets. Or if you can nab a spot, check out the free street parking on Grand Avenue.
• Our limited-edition sticker is by Ashley Macias. Pick one (or two) up at one of the galleries listed on our map.
