Several new shows are opening in Roosevelt Row, which means it might be a good place to start. Or hit the exhibits in the Central corridor first, because a couple of those venues close earlier than your other options.
Read on for details about must-see exhibits and other art shows worth exploring, plus a new chalk art festival happening along Grand Avenue.
Must-See Exhibits
“Shapeshifters”Shortcut Gallery
5538 North Seventh Street
Kristin Bauer created a site-specific installation for Shortcut Gallery, combining elements from her commissioned artworks for the recent FORM festival. See how the artist imbues various media with visual and textual poetics during normal business hours for Phoenix General, which shares the gallery space with Framed Ewe. Friday hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“Celebrating the Life of Chester Bennington”
The monOrchid
214 East Roosevelt Street
Phoenix musician and photographer Jim Louvau spent years taking pictures of Chester Bennington, the Linkin Park singer who died two years ago by suicide. A longtime friend of Bennington’s, Louvau is sharing those photographs through a new art exhibit at The monOrchid. The opening reception happens Friday from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $35 with part of the proceeds benefiting 320 Change Direction, a nonprofit focused on mental health.
Central Corridor
“Deep End Practice”Practical Art
5070 North Central Avenue
Abbey Messmer had a great turnout for her artist reception earlier this month at Practical Art, where she’s showing several new water-inspired works coupling elements of landscape and figurative imagery. See her exhibit exploring the “metaphysical questions of reality, identity, and perception” during normal store hours on Friday, which are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Summer School Exhibit
Found:RE Phoenix
1100 North Central Avenue
Head to Found:RE Phoenix to recall the joy you felt making art as a child while supporting local youth who are expanding our shared creative landscape. The hotel is showing works by student artists, including several who’ll be on hand for the artist reception from 6 to 8 p.m. The gallery will be open until 10 p.m.
Roosevelt Row
“Loving What Won’t Last”Eye Lounge
419 East Roosevelt Street
For her first solo exhibition at Eye Lounge, Cyd Peroni is showing photographs that explore mono no aware, a concept prevalent in Japanese Shintoism that elevates the “joy and love within the sad realization of the transience of life.” Third Friday hours are 6 to 9 p.m.
“A Fine Line”
Modified Arts
407 East Roosevelt Street
Modified Arts is showing works by six artists whose unique takes on line and composition hint at the significance of labor and craft while highlighting the importance of “artistic rigor and vision.” Participating artists are Isabella Castillo, Kathryn Hratko, Aimee Ollinger, Alexis Rainery, YuYu Shiratori, and R. Cole Tipton. Third Friday hours are 6 to 9 p.m.
Grand Avenue
“Vanishing Point”{9} The Gallery
1229 Grand Avenue
Through both subject matter and technique, artist TJ Oxley elevates issues related to environmental destruction, habitat loss, and endangered species. See his works exploring “the essence of near-loss” at {9} The Gallery, where Third Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m.
Grand Ave Chalk Art Festival
Cha Cha’s Tea Lounge
1325 Grand Avenue
The inaugural Grand Ave Chalk Art Festival is happening from 7 to 10 p.m. on Grand Avenue, where some of the Valley’s best-known artists will be making chalk art between Ninth and 15th avenues. Expect live music, children’s activities, and plenty of traditional art as well. More than a dozen artists are participating, including Tato Caraveo, Angel Diaz, Janel Garza, Kyllan Maney, and Tara Sharpe. Start at Cha Cha's, then round out your evening with an after party at ThirdSpace.
