A Brief History of Tempe Art Collective The Paper Knife

Throughout the past year, The Paper Knife has never ceased to bring something special to the creative scene in Tempe. Up until September of 2014, there were one or two Paper Knife events each month, if not more. This multimedia collective, encompassing visual art, music, and publishing, accomplished a lot…

Amada Cruz Named Phoenix Art Museum Director

Amada Cruz will be Phoenix Art Museum’s new director, the museum’s board of trustees announced in a press release on Monday, November 17. Cruz will take on the role on February 1, 2015, replacing longtime director James Ballinger, who announced in April 2014 his intention to retire after nearly 40…

40Owls Presents “Fortouls Solo Exhibition” in Downtown Phoenix

It’s been seven years since the Fortoul brothers had an art show in Phoenix. That’s because artist Isaac Fortoul and his manager, curator, and older brother Gabriel run what they call “a nomadic gallery.” Together, under their signature art brand, 40 Owls (a phonetic play on their last name, “for-t-ouls”)…

Graduate Hotel Now Open in Tempe; Here’s a Look Inside

Put away the blowup mattress and clear that couch, because your out-of-town guests have a new place to stay in Tempe. Graduate Hotel opened its doors two weeks ago, and while the complete remodel of what was once the Twin Palms is still in progress (management expects the finishing touches…

Scottsdale Gateway Alliance Launches Mid-Century Home Tour

Sure, you’ve heard of Marlen Grove and Al Beadle. You know the best spot to pick up a mint-condition Eames chair and the coolest Melrose District stores to stalk on Instagram. You also oughta know that the Midcentury Modern craze extends beyond the bounds of Phoenix. Southern Scottsdale happens to…

5 Must-See First Friday Shows in Phoenix on November 7

First Friday heats up tonight with creative works going up all over the city. Here are our picks for shows you will not want to miss on Friday, November 7. “The Higher Plane” November’s First Friday is filled with dreams and imagination. Ashley Macias’s “The Higher Plane” takes this to…

Your Guide to the 6th Annual Grand Avenue Festival in Phoenix

With this year’s dizzying array of activities, we figured you could use a little help making your game plan for this year’s Grand Avenue Festival, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, November 8. The festival folks have partnered with the 9th annual Phoenix Annual Parade…

Slick Concept Trumps Content in “Covert Operations” at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art

In the years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, visual and performing artists have explored the delicate dance between privacy and protection. Some hunt for undisclosed information. Others highlight things revealed but never appropriated by our cultural consciousness. Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art contributes to the ongoing dialogue with “Covert Operations:…

The Table Showcases Photography and Encourages Arts Discussion in Phoenix

If there’s one crucial thing that’s missing from the art scene in Phoenix, it’s dialogue. That’s precisely why Dana Buhl, photographic artist and curatorial coordinator at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, opened her own space, The Table. Existing in between an exhibition and a critique, The Table functions through fostering…