Here's Your Guide to First Friday in Phoenix

You might have to make some tough choices for First Friday this month. More than a dozen new art shows are opening, but the lineup also includes several unique events happening around town.

It’s your first chance to try the augmented reality component of Lauren Lee’s latest Roosevelt Row mural. The Phoenix Mural Festival kicks off with a night of live painting at Unexpected Art Gallery. And Herberger Theater Center will have live music, spoken word, and video art on its outdoor plaza.

Here’s a look at fresh art shows, organized by location, to help you see more art with less running around town. First up, our list of must-see exhibitions.

Must-see exhibits

“Dear Listener”
Heard Museum opens its “Dear Listener: Works by Nicholas Galanin” exhibition, featuring video installation, sculpture, performance art, fashion, works on paper, and installation art. They’re also presenting a ticketed concert featuring Shabazz Palaces, Indian Agent, and Heebie Jeebies. First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Learn more on the Heard Museum website.

“To Be Thirteen”
Phoenix Art Museum opens an exhibition featuring photographic and video documentation of the lives of 13-year-olds, created throughout the United States by artist Betsy Schneider. Free First Friday hours from 6 to 10 p.m. also include a storytelling event called The Whole Story, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Get details on the Phoenix Art Museum website.

“In Your Own Backyard”
Artist Sam Fresquez curates a group exhibition for Xico Arte y Cultura, which features works related to map-making. Participating artists include Rachel Goodwin, Lena Klett, Estrella Payton, and Koryn Woodward Wasson Valle. First Friday hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Find more information on the Facebook event page. 

“Radial Pathways”
See works by Kyllan Maney, whose mural art was featured at the 2017 Lost Lake Festival, at Grand ArtHaus. She also painted a new mural for monOrchid last year. First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Learn more on the Facebook event page.

Grand Avenue

“Space”
Five15 Arts presents a solo exhibition by ceramic artist and collective member Susan Risi, whose works explore various concepts of space. First Friday hours at Chartreuse gallery are 6 to 10 p.m. Get details on the Facebook event page.

“Nxoeed: Carbon Black”
Explore three decades of black-and-white line drawings, as well as hand-drawn posters, by James B. Hunt. First Friday hours from 7 to 10 p.m. at Sisao gallery inside Oasis on Grand also include a sculptural collaboration with Zachary Dean Glover and music by DJ Self Destrukt. Find more information on the gallery Facebook page.

Phoenix Mural Festival Kick-off
See a group exhibition and live painting by artists who are participating in the mural festival that continues through Sunday, May 6. First Friday hours at Unexpected Art Gallery are 6 to 10 p.m. Learn more on the Facebook event page.

“Track of Time”
Check out works by Allison Lee, who explores contrasts such as past and present, nostalgia and melancholy, and landscape and cityscape. First Friday hours at {9} The Gallery are 6 to 10 p.m. Get details on the Facebook event page.

“Genteel Nuditas”
Abe Zucca is showing paintings featuring the human form at Abe Zucca Gallery, located inside Abloom Salon. First Friday hours are 6 to 11 p.m. Get details on the Facebook event page.

Cruising Grand Avenue
See live painting by Jesus Gallo Sanchez starting at 6:45 p.m. at Cookie Brokers. First Friday hours run through 9 p.m. Learn more on the Cookie Brothers Facebook page. 

Central Corridor

“Tidal”
New City Studio is showing works by Lizzy Taber and Cami Galofre. Taber’s work examines coral reefs imperiled by rising sea levels. Galofre’s large-scale paintings reference the many places she’s lived, with an eye to increasing viewer empathy for the environment. Get details on the Facebook event page.

“Obsolete Dreams”
Practical Art is showing works by Jordan-Alexander Thomas, whose Space Boy Robot sculptures inspire reflection on object permanence and obsolescence, as well as recycling and adaptive reuse. First Friday hours are 7 to 9 p.m. Find more information on the Facebook event page.

JoAnn Auger
Found:RE Phoenix is showing oil and pastel works by JoAnn Auger in The Studio art space. First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Get details on the Facebook event page.

Ryan House benefit
First Studio is showing works by several artists during an event to raise money for Ryan House. First Friday hours are 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Live musical performance kicks off at 6 p.m. Learn more on the Facebook event page.

Roosevelt Row

18 in 2018
See Lauren Lee’s new mural painted on a west-facing wall at monOrchid as part of a voter registration and turnout effort focused on youth and the 2018 election. Use your cellphone to activate the mural’s augmented reality component. Find details on the artist's Facebook page.

Cinco Artes
Herberger Theater Center presents a night of live cumbia music combined with digital performances. First Friday hours from 6 to 9 p.m. also include spoken word, poetry, video art, and live painting. Learn more on the Herberger Theater Center website.

“Heartbreakers”
Warehouse 1005 presents a group show with more than 100 works highlighting cultural icons affected by the opioid epidemic, as part of Mental Health Awareness Month. First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Get details on the Warehouse 1005 website.

Barbara Bayless Lacy
Olney Gallery at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral is showing works by Barbara Bayless Lacy, whose oil paintings capture Arizona landscapes and landmarks. First Friday hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Learn more on the Facebook event page.

Warehouse District

Cleve Gray
Bentley Gallery is showing large-scale abstract works by Cleve Gray in its project room. First Friday hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Get details on the Bentley Gallery website.

Rafael Navarro
See a new work, and many additional pieces, by Rafael Navarro, an artist who is part of The Lodge Art Studio. First Friday hours for his solo exhibition at Icehouse Gallery are 6 to 10 p.m. Find information on the Facebook event page.

Other Areas

Refugee: Found
The Hive Gallery is showing works by Ken Van Brott, an artist who creates pieces using discarded objects, which amplify issues related to forced migration and refugee policies. First Friday hours are 7 to 10 p.m. Find details on The Hive website.

William Hartill
See abstract and mixed media paintings by new Exposed Gallery artist William Hartill, plus works by several additional artists including Bob Booker, Chuck Cooper, Vicki Reed, and Gregg Edelman. First Friday hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Learn more on the Facebook event page.