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 on August 7.
"All the Rage"
Part memorial, part retrospective, Alwun House presents an exhibition of works by Scott Owens, a “local folk artist extraordinaire” who passed away in June. Just 54 at the time of his death, the artist’s themes included life and death, alien landscapes, and “anthropomorphic drag queens.” More than 100 of his mixed-media works, from decoupage to acrylic, will be exhibited during First Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. Folks who attend will also see tables filled with toys and dolls, and furniture — all culled from Owens’ world. Alwun House will be giving some artworks away, and doing a silent auction for others. Consider the evening, which also includes complimentary snacks and beverages plus DJ music, “a joyful sharing of eccentric objects d’arte.” Find more information on the Alwun House website.
"Palettes of the World"
We’re accustomed to seeing a desert palette imbued with infinite variations on green, blue, and brown. But monOrchid’s newest exhibition, titled “Palettes of the World,” presents the opportunity to revel in the splendor of other landscapes. The show features mixed-media paintings by Jon Wassom, who sees the exhibition as an exploration of “how we mix, blend, and move with each other, as well as our environments.” He’ll be on hand for the opening reception, taking place in the Shade gallery from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, August 7. Find more information on the monOrchid website.
"Pantry"
It’s been a while since those marvelous objects called home economics textbooks were used in Arizona schools. We’re thinking artist Nicole Phend found a far better use for them. She’s culled images from vintage home economics textbooks, housekeeping magazines, and books about etiquette to create works of art that “playfully explore the relationship between domesticity and spirituality.” Her take on “transcendence through daily routine,” which is featured in an exhibition titled “Pantry: A Collection of Appropriated Preserves,” will be on view in the project room at Eye Lounge from 6 to 10 p.m. Find more information on the Eye Lounge website.
"Entity"
Come September 1, the Frontal Lobe Community Space and Gallery inside the Bragg’s Pie Factory building will become a new gallery called Chartreuse operated by Nancy Hill, co-owner of the Hazel & Violet letterpress business also located in the historic site. August is your last chance to explore the space in its current incarnation, for which the final exhibition is titled “Entity.” The exhibition features new works by Adrian Dominic Chavez, Michael “2Des” Stopher, and Ty McEwen. In creating these works, the artists explored “the attributes of what makes a being sentient” — as well as “the nature of consciousness.” McEwen is showing works in oil; the others, works in acrylic. The opening reception takes place from 7 to 10 p.m. on First Friday, and Stopher plans to close out the night with “a live set of select tracks from his many albums” – including his newest release titled Audio Prayers. Find more information on the Frontal Lobe Community Space and Gallery Facebook page.
"First Friday"
Alas, there's not a catchy name for Phoenix Art Museum’s First Friday offerings in August, but hey sound pretty cool nonetheless. In addition to exploring several exhibitions, folks who attend during free First Friday hours can enjoy performance by dancers with CONDER/dance and Jordan Daniels Dance. Dancers will be activating various spaces, so you can get both your visual art and performance art fix. First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Find more information on the Phoenix Art Museum website.
