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July 18, 2003/Tamuz 18 5763, Vol. 55, No. 47
Explore the 'shadow world' of eclectic art
MELISSA HIRSCHL
Special to Jewish News
As any urbane Valley denizen knows, there are a plethora of art galleries to visit in Scottsdale. They are showcases for fabulous talent and immense professionalism, yet for those who hunger for art that is, well ... more eclectic, funkier, alternative and urban, there exists a "shadow world" ensconced mainly in downtown areas of Phoenix and Tempe. This is where you'll find the jewels of emerging artists who are anxious to share their passions.
Here's a sampling of galleries that may wreak havoc with your sensibilities, challenge your perspectives, and quite possibly provoke, but one thing is certain - they'll keep you talking. So get an attitude, don your black and live on the wild side - even if it's just for an evening.
In addition to their regular hours, the following galleries host special evenings one weekend a month. There's usually food, entertainment and sometimes the artists are there as well. Tours are self-guided.
TEMPE
Wet Paint (First Friday)
203 E. Seventh St., Tempe
480-967-2002
This is an art supply studio with an alter ego; it doubles as a funky, eclectic urban art gallery, complete with art-filled catwalk. They usually showcase between 75-100 works, and show more traditional art downstairs. Owned by Tom Jordan and daughter/manager Jessica, this colorful, well-stocked store provides works in many mediums; photography (color and black and white), oil and acrylic paintings, wire sculptures, mono prints, and even an occasional fashion show. "Last month's show was more photography dominated," says Jessica. "This one is more urban art; more graffiti art with spray paint." In general, all mediums are accepted. "We don't have a lot of strict rules like a lot of the galleries out here have. Basically, the gallery is our way of giving back to the community and helping out local artists, who buy a lot of supplies here. It's a chance to let them show off what they've done." Wet Paint participates in Final Fridays (last Friday of the month) in Tempe, from 7-11 p.m. There's always live entertainment and food at these events. Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon-4 p.m. Sunday. Expanded hours in winter.
ReZurrection Gallery (Second Saturday)
601 W. University Road, Tempe
480-377-9080
If you're seeking a store/gallery steeped in retro, vintage and pure funk, this is it. Opened just four years ago, ReZurrection gallery carries a one-of-a-kind selection of current and mid-century items such as upholstered furnishings, steel designs, select antiques, imports, home accessories, candles, jewelry and fun novelty gifts, including pieces from local artists. There's also an intriguing selection of paintings, sculpture, photography, neon and mixed media. The gallery also obtains international artwork and home furnishings from artisans in Africa, Asia, Indonesia, Australia, Turkey, India and Mexico. "Our 'second Saturdays' are pretty well attended," says co-owner Darci Johnson. "We get between 75-100 people attending; more when we do group showings as opposed to individual artists. A lot of people think of art galleries in terms of stuffy. Ours is exactly the opposite; we get people who are all ages and from all walks of life."
PHOENIX
Visit the following galleries throughout the year and on the first Fridays of each month via self-guided shuttle tours. Times are 7-11 p.m. First Fridays are organized by Artlink, an organization dedicated to bringing together emerging artists and the public for a greater appreciation of the arts and the development of a vital downtown arts community. Contact individual galleries for times and hours. Best places to park and ride the shuttles: Phoenix Central Library on Central Avenue, just south of McDowell Road; Willow House, Third Avenue and McDowell Road; Arizona Center, Third Street and Van Buren Road. Shuttles have brochures and maps to the locations. Visit www.artlinkphoenix.com.
Perihelion Arts (First Friday)
1500 Grand Ave., Phoenix
602-462-9120
(For trivia buffs, perihelion means the point in a path of a celestial body when it comes closest to the sun.) If you're looking for art that pushes the boundaries, you've found your nirvana. This is a gallery the New Times once called "a little shop of horrors, delights and complexities." Catering to what owner Douglas Grant calls "low-brow, erotic and eclectic" art, this gallery/bookstore showcases local art done in a variety of mediums. "Low-brow art," says Grant, "evolved from people that were untrained as artists, but painted by instinct. It has had a huge resurgence in the past 10 years." Open since last October, the store also has a huge collection of books on philosophy, sub-culture, true crime and art. "A lot of our books are complementary to the art being shown," explains Grant.
monOrchid (First Friday)
214 E. Roosevelt Road, Phoenix
602-253-0339
Located within a multifaceted 15,000-square-foot commercial/fine arts complex, monOrchid boasts 3,000 square feet of gallery space. This sprawling venue welcomes between 2,000 and 3,000 visitors every "First Friday," according to owner Wayne Rainey, an award-winning national advertising photographer. "We have doctors, artists, bankers, and everyone in between coming to these evenings," says Rainey. Open since Jan. 1, 2000, the gallery showcases many types of regional, independent artwork, including oils, acrylics, photographs and occasional sculptures. In February they even hosted the Phoenix Film Festival. Rainey, who has been an artist all his life, is delighted with the gentrification of the downtown area. "My intent," he says, "was to create a long-lasting, sustainable, affordable cultural aspect to what will soon become a much more complex economic force in downtown." Rainey is also the owner and founder of Holga's, an artist live/work housing complex in downtown Phoenix that is home to 12 artists and an art gallery. MonOrchid is open every day 9 a.m.-5 p.m., in addition to First Fridays.
Weird Garden (First Friday)
1008 N. 15th Ave., Phoenix
602-256-2859
Unfortunately, this highly eclectic gallery won't be open until next March, but if you get a group of friends together, owner Beatrice Moore will be more than happy to see you by appointment. This is a gallery worth waiting for. Moore, who loves painting whimsical pieces depicting animals and nature, creates all the work. "I am fascinated and somewhat amused by the macabre side of nature," she relates. "I am in awe of how animals sometimes act in human ways - expressing anger, fear, pleasure, pain, greed, aggressiveness, self-absorption, deviousness, longing, determination, sadness, joy, cockiness, grief, love and dignity." While you're there, don't miss the Weird Porch area, which Moore describes as Martha Stewart on Acid - prom-dressed elves, clothes pins, stuffed animals, fringe cherubs, appliqu‚s, diseased dolls and lots of other "fun junk." Probably the most remembered part of this fabulous gallery is the Weird Cakes portion in the courtyard. They are huge, they are extremely colorful and whimsical, and they are not to be believed - a must-see.
The Paper Heart Gallery and Art Studio (First Friday)
222 N. Fifth Ave., Phoenix
602-262-2020
Ask Scott Sanders, owner of Paper Heart, to tell you what kind of art he showcases, and you'll probably be met with a look that says, "Where do I begin?" The novelty of his gallery/espresso bar is that it shines a spotlight on a whole spectrum of art, including visual arts (painting and photography), music, theater, spoken word, film/video, dance and performance art. There are even occasional Tango dance lessons. The flexibility of this 2,000-square-foot space allows artists the diversity to express themselves in any medium they wish. You can find something going on here every night. In addition, the studio holds a "Third Friday" event for individuals who can't make it to First Fridays. "We have a jazz band," says Sanders, "and it's an opportunity to meet with the current exhibiting artists. On every third Saturday, we have a comedy improvisation group that performs at 8 p.m." In addition to all this "art abundance," the gallery also hosts "lunch-time cinema" on Thursdays at 11 a.m., and Saturdays at 1 p.m. Every month has a different theme; June was "fantasy" month. Another tidbit: on Fridays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. you can catch live music such as jazz or piano. To receive more information about upcoming shows, visit the "Calendar of Events" at www.thepaperheart.com. You'll also find several local, national, and international artists, links to local musicians, live Webcams, and more. Open Monday through Saturday, 8 p.m.-close. N
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