What started out in Spring of 2012 as a plot of flowers in downtown Phoenix has morphed into a beautiful art show at Combine Studios. The Valley of the Sunflowers Paper Project is a testament to what happens when you give a group of artists two pieces of well-made paper…
Taz Loomans is an architect, a writer, a real estate developer, and the head honcho at Blooming Rock. She’s a first-generation immigrant (her family’s Indian), who was born in Mozambique. She says she moved to Phoenix 22 years ago, but told Jackalope Ranch last June that she hadn’t felt home…
All sorts of creatures have started to emerge from the Scottsdale canal over the past few weeks, thanks to local artists Isaac Caruso and Ashley Macias. The duo equipped themselves with rubber boots and earth-friendly spray paint to create a range of murals in the dried-up canal near the Scottsdale…
If you had planned to see The Joe and Jan Show at Willo North Gallery this Friday, you’ll need to come up with a Plan B. The exhibition, curated by Robrt Pela (who, full disclosure, also contributes to New Times), was canceled this morning by the gallery owner, Kristin Shears…
Welcome back to Explicitly Graphic, a monthly column by Cynthia Clark Harvey (who’s working on a graphic novel of her own). From time to time, Harvey will review graphic novels, talk to artists, and dive into the scene of all things explicitly graphic. Today, she talks about Lynda Barry’s university…
Somehow, I missed the whole storytelling movement. I wish I could tell you it’s because I was learning how to use my new iPhone, or that I was so distracted by my Twitter account that the entire storytelling fad passed me by. But I’m a low-tech fogey. My phone is…
Editor’s note: Amazing Arizona Comic Con has announced that because of an illness, Stan Lee will not be appearing. Remember when comic books cost a dime and you would rush the newsstand every Friday after school for some weekend reading? Batman, Superman and Spider-Man were the big ones, but there…
The 2013 Governor’s Arts Awards will celebrate 32 years in March by recognizing creatives who have achieved and contributed to the Arizona arts community. The awards, presented by Arizona Citizens for the Arts, the Arizona Commission on the Arts and the Office of the Governor of Arizona, are given annually…
Phoenix may have fallen behind in the size department in recent memory — slipping to sixth-largest city in America — but if you favor quality over quantity, you’re in luck. This place is taking shape in a tangible, meaningful way, and it’s about time we started acting like big-city folk…
Time to grab a few (empty) cans, scissors, and a pair of gloves — Tempe’s Four Peaks Brewing Company is hosting a Beer Can Masterpiece contest this month and it’s looking for entries. Prizes include gift cards, gallery space, and Four Peaks fame … But let’s be honest, we’re all…
This morning, the hardworking community members at Mesa Arts Center and International Sonoran Desert Alliance in Ajo received some very good news. ArtPlace, a national initiative that supports creative placemaking through grants and loans around the country, announced that 104 applicants in 72 communities in 33 states were named finalists…
If you’ve always wanted to see the (sometimes organized) chaos of an artist’s studio with insight from the artist and art experts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and Ultimate Art & Cultural Tours have good news. On January 16, February 20, and March 30, SMoCA staff and Ace Bailey will…
After existing in the purely conceptual realm, the Tempe Museum of Contemporary Art will officially open its doors for the first time this month. Co-founder Christian Filardo originally used the name for his home and workspace where he runs record label Holy Page. From there, the idea grew into a…
Buckle up, Phoenix art community: Art Detour will return in March for its 25th annual event in downtown Phoenix and applications for artists and galleries are now available online. The weekend event, officially organized by Downtown non-profit Artlink, includes two days of studio tours and gallery openings on March 2…
If you want to get out of town for the weekend and have a great excuse to see some world-class photography, Tucson’s Etherton Gallery has good news. This weekend, photographer Joel-Peter Witkin will attend the opening reception of Etherton Gallery’s new exhibition, Surface Tension, on Saturday, January 12 from 7…
It’s about time Phoenix sees some serious mural love. In the interest of giving credit to their artists and because we’re losing track of the times we’ve said, “Whoa, when did that go up?”, we bring you Mural City, a series on the murals springing up around town — their…
Arizona arts community members — including administrators, educators, artists, and supporters — come together every year for a day dedicated to promoting the impact of arts in the state. This year, the Arizona Arts Congress is slated to take over the Arizona State Capitol Building on Monday February 4 with…
When it comes to Valentine’s Day, there are generally two types of people: Those who are totally twitterpated with a celebration devoted to hearts, flowers, and romance, and those jilted or cynical folks who either are refugees from multiple bad relationships or simply don’t give an eff about the occasion…
The 1920s made a whole lot of noise. On the precipice of the Great Depression, the decade made its mark on American history with glamorous living and social evolution. World War I had ended. The stock market boomed. Prohibition banned booze. Formality lost. Optimism won. Women got the vote. And…
Time to bust out the paper mâché and wicked sense of humor — Beatrice Moore of Bragg’s Pie Factory in Phoenix just announced the deadline and viewing dates for her 2013 Mutant Pinata show. The pinata show is an annual event and home to outrageous, political, corny, sentimental, and fun…
It’s about time Phoenix sees some serious mural love. In the interest of giving credit to their artists and because we’re losing track of the times we’ve said, “Whoa, when did that go up?”, we bring you Mural City, a series on the murals springing up around town — their…
Tommy Edison has been blind since birth and is currently on a mission to describe his experiences through narrative and video. He’s explained how he uses an ATM, how he describes colors, and how the blind can organize and keep track of their money. He’s also reviewed a number of…
