By Domenico Nicosia and Maxfield Barker
Welcome to the second edition of the Downtown Devil’s First Friday Guide. Our goal is bring you the latest and greatest happenings that First Friday has to offer. These are just a few of the awesome events and galleries going on — and not just on Roosevelt Row. Here are some of our favorites for tonight. For a complete map of First Friday, click here.
Artlink Gallery at Heritage Square: Van Buren and 7th streets
Artlink proudly presents Christine Cassano’s Adaptations exhibit. These multimedia and concrete pieces convey a visual narrative of our modern-day social setting.
This First Friday marks the opening reception of her exhibit, which will run from 6-10 p.m.
The Icehouse: Jackson Street and 5th Avenue
Headlining for the evening is Without A Guide, an exhibit by recent ASU fine arts masters student Benjamin Phillips. His unique artwork sculpts androgynous human figures using layering on plaster casts. These ambiguous models are both young and old, beautiful and grotesque, male and female. Disturbingly interesting.
The Icehouse will also debut the drawing room, an open community-art space, and preview the Shocklick Lounge, an arts incubator and espresso bar.
Lawn Gnome Publishing owner Aaron Johnson will also perform a spoken word set.
Willo North Gallery: Thomas Road and 7th Avenue
Throughout March and April, Willo North will be home to the opening reception of Public Eye: New Work by Peter Bugg and DOSE. Bugg, in collaboration with artist Molly Mendoza, explores the cultural obsession with celebrity gossip and pop-culture icons.
Also included in the Public Eye exhibit is DOSE’s stunning political and social commentaries expressed through graffiti.
Phoenix Fringe Festival: Various locations
This event is so big it spans over two weekends. Phoenix Fringe is a nonprofit that has gained notoriety for its small live theater and performing-arts shows. This year’s festival includes 25 artists and 90 performances over the short time period.
Edgy, uncensored and relatively short in length (approximately 60 minutes), these shows range from $8 to $15.
Some of the participating venues include Modified Arts and Filmbar.
For a full list of shows, locations and times click here.
Deus Ex Machina: Grand Avenue and Pierce Street
The March exhibit at Deus Ex will showcase paintings by Dain Quentin Gore. His haunting paintings depict subjects of abandonment he has studied throughout his life.
The exhibit will be a preview of the Art DeTour 24 event later this month.
Gallery Hazel: McKinley and Fourth streets
Gallery Hazel, an arts and letterpress space, will be highlighting two artists this Friday.
Sebastien Million’s work incorporates cartoons often times with animals as the subject matter accompanied with phrasings that are pithy and humorous. Somewhat reminiscent of the Suicide Bunnies by Andy Riley, his art designs on t-shirts and other mediums have been sold all over the country.
Fred Tieken is a musician and designer turned artist. His pop art often features brightly colored paintings with human subjects and some written text. Tieken works in both pop and abstract art.
Smeeks: Camelback Road and Central Avenue
Smeeks, a local candy and novelty shop, is hosting the third annual Caramelpalooza starting this Friday at 7 p.m.
The caramel tasting, sponsored by Smeeks and Chow Bella, will be provided by 18 chefs and limited quantities are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Contact the reporters at domenico.nicosia@asu.edu and maxfield.barker@asu.edu
