We’re almost there, everyone. In one day we will have made it through July. To those that have lived in the Valley since they were wee kids, this may sound as unnecessary complaining. However, some of us are still nascent immigrants to this sun-baked city, still working out the kinks and figuring out the best places to stay in working condition. So if you survived another month on the stovetop, you may want to celebrate by going out Friday, Aug. 1, for Phoenix’s First Fridays art-walk festivities.
A note to prepare you while you walk past the buildings on Friday: A few galleries are closing down shop temporarily until the cooler season picks back up in September. Regardless, there are very unique and important exhibitions and events happening anyway on August’s First Friday. So before the kids are back to school and the art walk becomes the welcome madness that it is during the fall, take your time to enjoy this one in comparable calmness. Here are five events worth seeing during your time out on the town.
What: Five15 to the Fifth
Where: Five15 Arts Gallery
Location: 515 E. Roosevelt Rd.
Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
Cost: Free
Five15 Arts Gallery, located on Roosevelt Row, is always churning out new shows, some of which showcase the work of the members that run the space. For this August, those 11 members each invited five of their friends to exhibit artwork with them for the third annual Five15 to the Fifth. A grand total of 66 local artists are represented at the gallery. With a combination of both square canvasses and 3-D creations, the differences in artistic style and thematic content will make for a daunting viewing. Check out their Facebook page for a virtual tease of what is on Five15’s walls.
What: La Muñeca — Visiones y Ninos
Where: The Coe House Gallery
Location: 365 N. Fourth Ave.
Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
Cost: Free
La Muñeca, or “The Doll,” is a local artist coming from a Mexican-American background. According to the artistic statement of La Muñeca, who uses the alias to allow for greater freedom of expression, those ties have a lot of cultural and historical significance. That bicultural heritage, along with her emphasis on her female gender, influence work that is deeply concerned with race, ethnicity, gender, politics and sense of identity. La Muñeca, who paints most of her pieces on public spaces, will shift her focus to gallery presentation for her August (and first) solo show, “Visiones y Ninos,” which translates to “Visions and Children.” Her lack of formal training lets her powerful vision take control of her work, and the warm and intimate setting provided by The Coe House Gallery should be a respectful location for its exhibition. Check out the Phoenix New Times for a lengthy profile on her.
What: The Art of Tattoo
Where: {9} the Gallery
Location: 1229 Grand Ave.
Time: 6 to 11 p.m.
Cost: Free admission, $50 and $100 options for flash tattoos
Venture down Roosevelt Row, past a few avenues and onto Grand Avenue, where you will find a special offering inside {9} the Gallery. “The Art of Tattoo” aims to showcase the work of local tattoo artists from shops such as Parlour 7 Tattoo, EZ Tattoo, Crawling SQUID Tattoo and many more. The traditional presentations of the classic tattoo art many parents frown upon is a testament to the aesthetic worth that these ink-wielding creators bring to the table. In addition to the work presented around the gallery, tattoo artist Tariq Sabur will be offering “flash tattoos” to those who sign up. This show may make you feel a newfound appreciation for the artists whose pieces you see walking around town every day.
What: THERMAL PHX final round
Where: MonOrchid art gallery
Location: 214 E. Roosevelt St.
Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
Cost: Free
Ding ding ding! So rings the bell to kick off the final round of the second annual THERMAL PHX, a contest in RoRo’s MonOrchid gallery that started way back on June’s First Friday. In the summer-long THERMAL PHX, nine artists are pitted against one another, presenting their art and letting the viewers decide via voting which artist goes home and who stays. The final round for this First Friday leaves four artists on the chopping block, with the audience again being able to vote for the new piece of their favorite artist. One winner will then be crowned. Remember, apathy is never the answer, so if you believe in your civic power, go check out the final round and cast your vote.
What: an idea of why — solo exhibition by Daniel Shepherd
Where: Willo North Gallery
Location: 2811 N. 7th Ave.
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Cost: Free
This last selection veers a bit away from downtown and into midtown with the Willo North Gallery. Local artist Daniel Shepherd will present a series of collage works at the gallery, depicting, as this preview video shows, a wide array of images and ideas. Shepherd presents an unusual and absurdly fantastical form of curation in “an idea of why,” making it worth the trek a few streets north.
Contact the reporter at motarola@asu.edu
