In the past year alone, there’s been a lot of changes within Phoenix’s art scene. There’s always been a revolving door — some artists and other art professionals leave, but there are always new people and spaces emerging. Even the spaces that anchor our scene, such as Roosevelt Row, Grand…
Contrary to what Time Inc.’s Money magazine would have you believe, Mesa is not the best big city to inhabit in the Southwest. Mesa, you should know, is not the best big city to inhabit in the state of Arizona. Nor, hate to break it to ya, is it the best “big…
David Quan, a Brookyn-based artist with Phoenix roots, has been back in the Valley since May. Chances are good you’ve seen his work under the name Luster Kaboom — including murals on Citywide Studios and the Chocolate Factory, where his Blue Ooze surrounds a mural by Los Angeles-based El Mac,…
For a cultural institution focused on visual art, Phoenix Art Museum has been all about the drama of late. On Friday, August 14, Carlotta Soares and Stephanie Lieb of the museum’s marketing department were let go, leaving the department with one remaining member: graphic designer Felicia Penza. That same day,…
Third Friday offerings are shaping up nicely this month, even as some galleries are in their final weeks of summer hiatus. A few of the new exhibitions merit excitement, but August 21 is also a chance to get a final glimpse of a cool show that’s been up for a…
The staff changes at Phoenix Art Museum keep on coming. Jerry Smith, PAM’s longtime curator of European, American and Western art, submitted his resignation on Friday, August 14. And, according to a Tuesday, August 18, report from The Republic, PAM has hired Gilbert Vicario as its chief curator. Smith did not…
Even amid Light Rail construction, Main Street in Mesa has proved a popular place for many years now, thanks to local attractions including Mesa Arts Center, Second Friday art walks, a self-guided sculpture walk, and an assortment of shops. Most recently, new public art has taken shape — from Jake…
Phoenix Art Museum’s marketing department is almost empty. PAM public relations director Carlotta Soares and manager Stephanie Lieb were reportedly let go today, Friday, August 14. Sources close to the situation, including Evan Roberts, formerly part of the museum’s marketing team, confirm that Soares and Lieb are no longer with…
Phoenix artist Nic Wiesinger recently founded something called Rhetorical Galleries. But it’s no-brick-and mortar art space. Instead, he explains, Rhetorical Galleries is a vehicle for curating and showing new works. It’s name reflects a simple question posed by Wiesinger: What if we made this space into a gallery? That space could…
Americans these days are bombarded with a steady stream of advertisements, television programming, social media, and online offerings. Screens deliver images at airports, restaurants, doctor offices, gyms, stadiums, and even gas stations. Saturated in visual culture, we’ve grown accustomed to tuning out much of what we see. That’s the cultural…
What happens in the studio shouldn’t always stay in the studio. Studio Visit Q+A is a weekly series that profiles artists in their studios. We ask them questions, they provide answers, and then we have a nice discussion about their work. This week: Phoenix artist Lara Plecas. Lara Plecas is…
Amid the ceaseless noise of nonsense from politicians and pundits comes a new art exhibition titled “Statement Piece,” a pairing of works by two ceramicists whose pieces are deceptively quiet yet speak volumes about America’s identity and reach. Curated by Garth Johnson, it’s currently on view at the ASU Art Museum’s Ceramics Research…
Looming rainclouds did little to dampen enthusiasm for August’s First Friday, which was well-attended — especially along Roosevelt Street just east of Central Avenue, where there was plenty to see and talk about. The trio of shipping containers turned art galleries featured cool solo exhibitions curated by Nic Weisinger, and…
While some gallery owners head out of town this time of year, plenty are still here and ready to share the art love during August’s First Friday. We’ve found five shows featuring a fun assortment of artwork — including a couple that bring entertainment into the mix. Here are five must-see art shows…
What happens in the studio shouldn’t always stay in the studio. Studio Visit Q+A is a weekly series that profiles artists in their studios. We ask them questions, they provide answers, and then we have a nice discussion about their work. This week: Tempe based artist and educator Jon Haddock…
It’s been a year of big changes for Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix. Baron Properties tore down a pair of buildings at Roosevelt and Third streets to make way for residential units. Local First Arizona founder Kimber Lanning saved a house slated for demolition by having it moved to the vacant…
Samantha Thompson’s home is full of recycling. We’re not talking about a compost pile or even separating the plastics from glass. We mean the repurposing, refurnishing, and reimagining kind of recycling. This is the spirit that launched Standard Wax, the candle company she and co-owner Andrew King started several years…
A cadre of well-known street artists recently descended on Phoenix to create a mural inspired by the quest for immigrant rights. It was created in partnership with both the Netroots Foundation, a Washington D.C. organization that uses online tools to promote participatory democracy, and filmmakers for Who is Dayani Cristal?…
What happens in the studio shouldn’t always stay in the studio. Studio Visit Q+A is a weekly series that profiles artists in their studios. We ask them questions, they provide answers, and then we have a nice discussion about their work. This week: nueBOX resident artist Kyle Daniels. The multidisciplinary…
The artists of Eye Lounge are anything but confined to their collective’s Roosevelt Row gallery space. More than 60 artists affiliated with the Eye Lounge artist collective during its 15-year history were featured earlier this year in a retrospective at Vision Gallery in Chandler, which highlighted the marvelous diversity of…
Phoenix artist Beatrice Moore estimates that about 40 exhibitions have been shown at Frontal Lobe Community Space and Gallery during her four or five years spent operating the venue that’s best known to many for its annual “Mutant Piñata Show.” But now Moore says it’s time for a change. “I’ve…
What happens in the studio shouldn’t always stay in the studio. Studio Visit Q+A is a weekly series that profiles artists in their studios. We ask them questions, they provide answers, and then we have a nice discussion about their work. This week: Phoenix artist Constance McBride. Constance McBride is…
