Visual Arts

Just in case you haven’t already heard, West Valley Art Museum in Surprise closed earlier this month.They say it’s temporary. But a Magic 8-ball might say, “Outlook not so good.”…

There seems to be a natural progression of the things we hang on our walls. We start out with, well, anything we feel like pasting up there when we are little kids. Then we move on to movie and band posters in high school. Of course, there’s the obligatory dorm…

“When you grow up, your heart dies.” (The Breakfast Club)”I can’t believe my grandmother actually felt me up.” (Sixteen Candles)”So, what would you little maniacs like to do first?” (Weird Science)And that’s just off the top of my head, folks. If you were a child of the 80’s and 90’s,…

Unless you’re a comic fanatic, a Mary Kay representative, or a hardcore Trekkie, chances are you haven’t haunted the halls of a convention center in a while. But don’t let that stop you from exploring the new public art projects installed earlier this year at downtown Phoenix’s impressively expanded Convention…

Artlink, Rosson House Foundation and local artist Sean Deckert have joined forces to put together yet another addition to First Friday. Only this time, we’re getting back to our roots.For the first Friday art walk in September, Heritage Square Park will host its first outdoor art gallery, scheduled for every…

Awww, it’s a miniature flower…soooo cuuuuute!Take something, make it little and it’s automatically ten times more appealing. Have you seen those tiny Coke cans? Adorable! Or how about Converse shoes for toddlers? I look at those things and my heart melts. And then, of course, we can’t forget babies. Baby…

Between this, this and this, I don’t know what other incentive New Times has to provide in order to get you out of the house tonight.But, if you’re still unsure (what’s wrong with you, anyway? Agoraphobia?), I’ve got one last blog with which I will try to bait you…

Roosevelt Row can be a little overwhelming on First Friday. Every month, I wade my way through a sea of people for a couple hours, then burn out and head home. Of course, I inevitably miss a couple items on my “to see” list. This Friday will be jam-packed for…

Well, we’re coming in at mid-week here and I say it’s time to start talking about all the shows that will open this Friday.Wait, is that sentence grammatically correct? I’m unsure. Where’s that Grammar101 guy? I could really use another five paragraphs in the comments that explain my writing mistakes…

I’ve always prided myself on, well, not being a hippie. Recently, however, I’m finding I’m doing more and more hippie-like things… I started an herb garden in my breakfast nook (the pots are nestled in with my natural crystal salt lamp), I bought a pair of TOMS shoes and wear…

Don’t worry, if you’re interested in this modeling gig, you can still eat lunch today. This casting call is for artsy fashion models. It’s for people who are fun to look at because they are pretty/interesting/beautiful/wild/alternative/kinda scary.The Grand Avenue Festival, set to take place September 26th, will feature (among many…

Are your kids totally bored with summer now? I remember that feeling of actually wanting to go back to school. It was too hot to play outside, games of “The Little Mermaid” in the pool had lost their charm and I was sick of playing Nintendo.You really couldn’t pay me…

Okay, I know Phoenix is in its how-did-anyone-think-to-settle-in-this-Hell-zone time of year right now but hear me out. Er, actually, hear artist, Jason Hill, out. This guy is our number one promoter of all things that are good in Phoenix. Namely, our architecture. Some may be surprised to know that we…

In Phoenix, summer is a challenging time for business owners — partly because the snowbirds have flown north and partly because the remaining population is busy making vacation plans. Some restaurants and art galleries just close for part of the season, while others struggle to find a balance between effort…

No, not “Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds” Nick Cave. I’m talking about “Nick Cave soundsuits” Nick Cave – who is equally fascinating, as far as I’m concerned.Now, I know I’m not the only one at New Times writing about this guy. But I can’t resist the urge to blog…it’s…

This one’s a ways off, but, if you’re like me and you need the social/emotional comfort of securing a good friend to come along with you for this kind of thing, you’ll need some time to coordinate.MADE art boutique is hosting a wire crochet class and workshop on Saturday, August…

Okay, so I admit this blog is way under the gun (the deadline for this call to artists is August 3rd) but I just wouldn’t feel right about life if I didn’t at least mention it.And, since the applicants are artists, I figure working under pressure at the last minute…

Recycled, re-used or re-appropriated materials in fine art is nothing new. Especially with the whole Green movement and rash of sustainability enthusiasts, this practice is everywhere.I’m cool with the whole idea, I really am. But, sometimes, I just want to come across an artist who relishes in aesthetics, not politics…

Tonight, you should do what I did a week ago. Really, you should. Because I went to the Phoenix Art Museum to see “Phantom Sightings: Art After the Chicano Movement”.I have to say, I loved this show. And while I won’t get too heavy-duty on the criticism here, there are…

I’ve had this blog idea in my back pocket for a while and I believe this is the day I’m going to write it.I heard about a website. A crazy one. And I’m not going to pretend that I really understand what’s going on here. Okay, go ahead and click…

It’s no rumor that Marilu Knode, associate director and head of research at Future Arts Research @ ASU (F.A.R.) is leaving Phoenix for considerably less dust storms and considerably more humidity to become Executive Director of the Laumeier Sculpture Park in St. Louis, Missouri. One of just a handful of…

Once again, I find myself in a position where there’s a darn good Third Friday Art Walk to blog about, but I’d rather blog about an event on Saturday. Hmmm, what to do…Ok, here’s the plan: I’ll throw down some links to some sweet stuff happening tonight that you can…