There’s no excuse for playing the boredom card this summer. Phoenix is home to an array of art exhibitions during July and August, and several shine a light on Arizona's own emerging and established artists. Here are 13 you shouldn't miss.
"All Art Arizona"
Art Intersection
Through July 15
Art Intersection spotlights emerging and established Arizona artists working in diverse media, including painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed media, photography, ceramics, and metals. Featured artists include Ron Bimrose, Brian Boner, Sam Fresquez, and Tess Mosko Scherer. Get details on the Art Intersection website.
"Flourish: A Survey of the New Contemporary Movement"
Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum
Through August 6
Explore three galleries filled with work in various media created by national and international artists. Curated by the Thinkspace art collective in Los Angeles, the show's featured artists include Mesa-based Frank Gonzales and Mesa-born Esao Andrews. Get more information on the Mesa Arts Center website.
Annual Summer MFA Exhibition
ASU Tempe Campus/Harry Wood Gallery
Through August 11
See work in several media by 19 graduate art students at Arizona State University, juried by Sara Cochran, director and chief curator for Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Featured artists include Lena Klett, Cydnei Mallory, Roy Wasson Valle, and Chris Vena. Learn more on the ASU School of Art website.
"Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera"
Heard Museum
Through September 4
Explore 33 pieces in various media by these famed 20th century Mexican artists, as well as more than 50 photographs of the artists and a display featuring clothing and jewelry representing Kahlo’s region and style. Find details on the Heard Museum website.
"Biomimicry: Nature Inspired Design"
The Gallery at Tempe Center for the Arts
Through August 26
See work in various media inspired by designs found in nature. Participating Arizona artists include Matthew Baral, Jose Benavides, Alexandra Bowers, Alan Bur Johnson, Christine Cassano, Halldor Hjalmarson, Nissa Kubly, Christine Lee, Emily Longbrake, and Damon McIntyre. Learn more on the Tempe Center for the Arts website.
David Kroll and Jessica Joslin
Lisa Sette Gallery
Through August 26
Explore two artists’ vastly different takes on the natural world. David Kroll infuses his oil paintings with birds and butterflies, while Jessica Joslin creates sculptures that blend tiny skeleton parts with antiquated fixtures. Get more information on the Lisa Sette Gallery website.
"Infinite Possibility II: Imagination & Creation"
Tilt Gallery
Through August 26
See work by 13 artists, juried by Lisa Volpe, associate curator of photography for Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Featured artists include Betsy Feick, Randi Ganulin, Sandra Klein, and Jane Szabo. Get more information on the Tilt Gallery website.
"Staying Power"
ASU Art Museum
Through September 2
ASU Art Museum showcases work by more than a dozen artists from its permanent collection, including pieces by Latin American and Latinx artists, historical and contemporary prints, and 20th century and contemporary ceramics. Featured artists include Siri Devi Khandavilli, SUPERFLEX, and Justseeds Artists’ Cooperative. Get details on the ASU Art Museum website.
"2016 Contemporary Forum Artists Grant Winners"
Phoenix Art Museum
Through September 17
See work by Arizona artists honored last year by the Phoenix Art Museum support organization called Contemporary Forum. This exhibition includes work by David Emmit Adams, Christine Cassano, Bryan David Griffith, Constance McBride, and Mary Meyer. It’s on view in conjunction with “Rise Fall Rise,” a solo exhibition by Arizona artist Patricia Sannit. Get details on the Phoenix Art Museum website.
"[dis]functional: Products of Conceptual Design"
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
Through September 24
Explore the line between art and design through work that ignores traditional takes on mass consumption in favor of non-functional beauty. The exhibition features art by several Arizona creatives, including Kim Cridler and Laurie Lundquist. Get more information on the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art website.
"Drawn to Pattern"
Terminal 4 Gallery at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Through October 29
On view at the airport is work by more than a dozen artists, including several based in metro Phoenix, who often incorporate strong patterns in their work. Participating artists includes Shonto Begay, Sam Chung, and Christy Lasater, and Carrie Marill. See additional pattern-based works in eight airport display cases. Find more information on the Phoenix Airport Museum website.
Shemer Instructor & Student Exhibition
Shemer Art Center
July 18 to September 7
Shemer Art Center displays work by its instructors, who include well-known Phoenix artists such as Constance McBride and Danielle Wood, as well as Shemer students. Get details on the Shemer Art Center website.
"Abstract Metamorphosis"
Central Gallery at Burton Barr Central Library
July 21 to August 25
(This exhibit will be rescheduled due to the library's temporary closure caused by storm damage)
See charcoal drawings by Swapna Das, who explores the Buddhist concept of 10 Worlds while embracing the idea that creativity and spirituality are intertwined. Learn more on the Phoenix Public Library website.
Editor's note: This post has been updated from its original version.