Visual Arts

ocal history buffs Douglas Towne and Marshall Shore join efforts, there’s bound to a good story. And this Friday, there will be nine. The two guest curators are hosting The Grid Show — part of an annual celebration of local (and often obscure) culture and history that’s hosted by Downtown arts venue The Trunk Space. On…

On First and Third (and any other) Friday of the month, art fans have the opportunity to check out artwork and meet a variety of local artists. Tonight, Roosevelt Row’s hosting an opportunity for those artists and gallery owners to meet and hang out with each other. …

There aren’t many things Terry Border is afraid to photograph. The Indiana artist has captured a Cheeto and a chip getting hot and heavy, a circus peanut taming a lion, and peanut butter proposing to jelly. Of course, these are all scenes that he’s built — from wire.Having published one book of his creations…

TGIFF. The Open Source Project in Tempe is hosting their monthly party tonight and they’re bringing a new round of local art and folksy sounds of violinist Tobie Milford.”Final Fridays is when we exchange all the art out for the month,” says Michael Witham, co-owner of the Open Source Project. “Artists come and display their…

Bryn CorbettVideo portrait of Julie RistFrom 1964-1966, Andy Warhol filmed more than 500 video portraits — 60 seconds of film fixed on a single, unflinching subject — of his friends, collaborators, and various denizens of the ’60s art scene. The works were collected as Screen Test and displayed to the…

Phoenix-based sculptor Pete Deise isn’t a modern technology guy; he hasn’t owned a television in years and when we met with him at his downtown Phoenix home, he apologized for not having air-conditioning.He does, however, own a cellphone, a pretty high tech website, and he’s currently attempting to use technology (read: Kickstarter)…

This Friday, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art will be a cool place to both see and be seen — and not just because its proprietors keep the air conditioning at a chilly 72 degrees. SMoCA will hold its annual Summer Opening Celebration, marking the beginning of the season and offering local…

China’s most prominent artist and political activist Ai Weiwei was released from detainment today on bail. The artist was arrested in April for “economic crimes,” though arts communities worldwide suspected Chinese officials of wanting to silence his outspoken criticism of the country’s government. Ai gave a TED talk in March…

When it was time for dissection in high school science class, local artist Lindsey Bessanson was fearless. “I was the one who pretty much did everyone else’s homework,” she says. Bessanson eventually found a practical use for her willingness to get up close and personal with dead bugs, first casting…

Last month, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), issued a guide on how to survive the zombie apocalypse. While the chances of a ‘humans v. zombies’ showdown are highly unlikely, preparedness is the only way we’ll win the war on terror.However, if robots come to life, they’re totally…

​Many artists make statements with their work, and many artists collaborate on shows to promote the awareness of causes they feel are important.Catie Tombs and Elane Spivak are taking the collaborative process a step further and are attempting to create a community in the heart of the Phoenix art district…

Kidrobot collectors go crazy whenever the hip toy maker releases a fresh wave of designer Dunnies decorated by renowned artists at toy boutiques around the country. For proof of this phenomenon, stop by either of the two release parties being held this Thursday night at Red Hot Robot and the Zia Record Exchange…

There’s still a ton of time before classes pick back up and your friends are back in town from vacation, which means plenty of downtime for creativity. Here are five local opportunities … Dia de los Muertos: A Celebration of Life Exhibition @ XicoXico, a local arts organization created by…

Gunner Williams is on a tight schedule. The local artist and co-owner of NOISE Art Space in Scottsdale is moving his collection into the 1,500 square-foot space at 4200 N. Marshall Way (the spot of now-defunct Squeeze Gallery). He has a few walls to knock down, lights to put up,…

Joseph “Sentrock” Perez made a name for himself in the local arts scene through his love of hip-hop, breakdancing, painting, and graffiti. As the director of the Rise Project, Perez has overseen and mentored a group of Phoenix youths making their own contributions to the arts. This weekend, Perez is taking…

​Angela Frank Wells will open the doors of Five15 gallery on Roosevelt Street tonight to her latest collection of photogravures, titled Copper Mine. She says her latest works is the result of an obsession with copper and a love for an abandoned form of photography (as artists have gravitated toward…

Summertime’s dicey for galleries in downtown Phoenix. Artists are still making art. And it’s not that folks are leaving town in droves. They are here — but they’re staying home. Truth is, arts venues slow down this time of year because no one (except, perhaps Beatrice Moore — more on her…

Sky Harbor’s about to get painted by a few of our local artists. Silvana Salcido Esparza, owner of Barrio Cafe and founder of the Calle 16 Mural Project in downtown Phoenix announced last night that the City of Phoenix approved a contract that will give her and other local restaurants…

That Wonder Woman pilot from David E. Kelley didn’t quite work out, but rejoice, comic fans, for Powers is coming to the small screen. After getting the green light from FX in February, Brian Michael Bendis has revealed that his hit superhero detective series will enter production on the pilot…