Here's Your Guide to June First Friday in Phoenix

Art exhibits are popping up more and more outside the traditional First and Third Friday art walks, which is a good thing. But there’s still something to be said for getting out on First Friday, when people converge on Roosevelt Row, Grand Avenue, and other art hubs to explore the local arts scene and spend time with fellow culture warriors.

Here’s a sampling of your June First Friday options, organized by area to make seeing the exhibits more convenient. We’ve even included a roundup of must-see shows in case you’re wondering where to begin.

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Explore abstract works by Sydney Volk at Burton Barr Central Library.

Sydney Volk/Photo by Lynn Trimble

Must-see Exhibits

The gallery will be showing paintings by Sydney Volk, an artist who says chaos is an important part of her creative process. First Friday hours at Central Gallery are 6:30 to 8 p.m., when you can also enjoy electronic music by Majestic Dubs.

See works by Brad Nuorala, whose figurative and abstract paintings are inspired by shapes, textures, patterns, and colors he encounters in the urban landscape. First Friday hours at Modified Arts are 6 to 10 p.m.

Stop by Phoenix Art Museum to enjoy free admission, and a sneak peek of a short film called SOULS by Phoenix filmmaker Malaki, which explores blackness and Afro-futurism. You can see the “Agnes Pelton: Desert Transcendentalist” exhibit for $5, plus try drawing a live model with artist Veralyn Johnson. First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m.

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See works by Ellen Nemetz at First Studio.

Ellen Nemetz/Photo by Lynn Trimble

Artists Ellen Nemetz and Kris Kollasch are filling First Studio art spaces with paintings, mixed-media assemblages, and sculptures that exude humor and perspective. First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m.

Explore artworks by local refugees, who will be on hand to share stories about their experience and talk about their work. First Friday hours at Oasis on Grand are 5 to 9 p.m., and the evening also includes live music, plus food and vendor booths.

Navy veteran and photographer Christopher Oshana is showing portraits from his series dedicated to raising awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder. First Friday hours at Public Image are 6 to 10 p.m.

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{9} The Gallery is showing works by Andrew Lee.

Andrew Lee

Grand Avenue

Artist Andrew Lee blends his passions for painting, education, and his Chinese heritage in artworks designed to inspire others to achieve their dreams. First Friday hours at {9} The Gallery at 6 to 10 p.m.

Grand ArtHaus is showing works by Nikka Brooks-Cullum, who uses painting and pyrography to capture issues related to life and death, including the fragility of life. First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m.

Head to Five15 Arts at Chartreuse, which shares space with the Hazel & Violet letterpress printing shop, to see biology-inspired sculptures by David Knorr, a new member of the Five15 Arts collective. First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m.

See works by Carlos Garcia in one of the shipping container galleries curated by Xixo Inc.

Carlos Garcia/Xico Inc.

Roosevelt Row

Check out the shipping container galleries curated by Xico, which is presenting a lineup that includes Carlos Garcia, an artist who creates digitally composited photographs rooted in decades working for educational institutions. First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m.

Shelley Whiting is showing a recently rediscovered series of paintings made when she was a teen, which feature fields filled with nerdy guys that channel comedian Phil Silver and prompt reflection on the ways people struggle with ignorance. First Friday hours for the exhibit at Jobot are 7 to 10 p.m.

Artist Hector Fernando of Hot Blooded Art will be exhibiting several of his works at Paz Cantina, where he will also be live painting during First Friday hours from 7 to 10 p.m.

Palabra is showing paintings by Andrew M. Sanchez, who uses bright colors and simple lines as he puts an intriguing twist on the human condition. First Friday hours are 7 to 9 p.m.

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Checking out neon art at Snood City on Grand Avenue.

Lynn Trimble

Art + Music

Hosh Gallery is celebrating the late filmmaker and photographer Jake Hoyungowa, an indigenous creative whose work focused on indigenous rights. OXDX Clothing will be doing screen-printing during the 6 to 9:30 p.m. event, which also features live music.

Head to the Heard Museum to celebrate Pride Month with Native PFLAG, which is presenting live music from 6 to 8 p.m. and screening the film Sweetheart Dancers at 7 p.m. Director and producer Ben-Alex Dupris will be on hand for a post-screening Q & A. First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m.

See neon artworks in this combined studio and exhibition space, where First Friday festivities will also include live music and fire art. First Friday hours at Snood City are 7 p.m. to midnight.

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