The Best Art We Saw in Downtown Phoenix on First Friday, August 7

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…

5 First Friday Art Shows to See in Phoenix on August 7

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…

Does Roosevelt Row’s Facelift Fall Flat in Downtown Phoenix?

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…

Standard Wax Founder Samantha Thompson’s 5 Home Decor Essentials

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…

Immigration Mural Finds Home on Grand Avenue in Phoenix

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?…

Shemer Art Center’s Eye Lounge Show Lacks Collaboration in Phoenix

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…

10 Metro Phoenix Street Artists to Follow on Instagram

Nowadays you needn’t stroll or bike your way down every street to see the riches of the metro Phoenix street art scene. Savvy street artists have taken to Instagram to share their artwork. Some feature images of their own artwork, as well as work by others. Here are 10 metro…

2015 Arizona Biennial Spotlights Phoenix Artists at Tucson Museum of Art

The Arizona Biennial, which has the distinction of being the longest-running juried exhibition featuring exclusively Arizona artists, returns this month. First organized in 1948, the exhibition’s current iteration opens on July 25 at Tucson Museum of Art. More than 1,490 works were submitted, and 50 pieces were selected for the…

5 Art Shows to See in Downtown Phoenix on Third Friday, July 17

As others are lay low for summer, plenty of metro Phoenix artists seem to be kicking it into high gear. July Third Friday attendees will be richly rewarded with opportunities to see works by dozens of artists — including several who use unconventional means or materials.  “Maybe Tomorrow, Darling”  See…

“One-of-a-Kind” Is a Photography History Lesson at Phoenix Art Museum

Photographs representing the entire history of photography are currently on view in the “One-of-a-Kind: Unique Photographic Objects from the Center for Creative Photography” exhibition at Phoenix Art Museum. The exhibition was organized by the museum and the Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona in Tucson. “One-of-a-Kind” was curated…

5 Summer Art Classes Taught by Metro Phoenix Artists

If seeing works by Arizona artists exhibited around town has ever left you wanting to give art-making a try, this summer might be a good time to get started. Several local artists are offering classes or workshops in coming weeks and months, and we’ve found five that look especially intriguing…