Phoenix artists took part in a global arts movement Saturday, as locals showcased and sold their artwork at an Unexpected Art Gallery pop-up art show hosted by Conception Arts.
Conception Arts is a global movement, both online and off, to promote, showcase and award local art and artists, according to its website. The organization began in New York City in 2011, and has since expanded across the United States and United Kingdom.
In addition to hosting in-person art shows, Conception Arts provides local artists with digital portfolios on their website for collectors to look at, and works with artists on various social media campaigns.
Co-founder Rachel Wilkins said Conception Arts is an alternative form to traditional art galleries.
“We provide a platform for emerging artists to exhibit and sell their work,” she said. “We’re kind of an alternative to the gallery situation. We offer these one night events where our artists can come in and sell their work without being charged a commission fee.”
Wilkins said that Conception Arts looks for “hub” cities that have a higher population and an established art scene when planning to host art shows across the country. She said, Phoenix was a “no-brainer” to choose as one of the 12 cities the organization planned to host in.
“Every time I came out here to visit, I loved the energy here,” she said. “I love the Southwestern work and it just felt like a no-brainer that we’d come and do a show here. It’s always just so vibrant and fun.”
Wilkins said the Phoenix show was unique because in addition to showcasing 32 local Phoenix artists, Conception Arts put together an exhibition of art by Caurus Academy High School students.
Their art teacher, Kyra Kalageorgi, was one of the artists invited by Conception Arts, and she made sure to secure a spot for her students as well.
“I thought, you know, I really want my kids to be a part of it, too,” Kalageorgi said. “How cool would it be if I (were) able to apply and get into these art shows, and then somehow get the kids to go and be a part of it as well?”
After receiving her own invitation from Conception Arts, Kalageorgi said she mentioned her students on the phone and they were also invited to showcase some of their work at the show.
“I was really excited because I’ve never done anything like this ever,” said Sierra Henson, a sophomore at Caurus Academy.
The exhibition featured drawings from four of Kalageorgi’s students, including Henson’s portrait of a tiger, a personal favorite, as well as a drawing of an eyeball.
Wilkins also said the Phoenix pop-up show was special because of a hosted art class, where four artists demonstrated to guests how to paint a guitar. The finished-product paintings were auctioned off later in the night.
“The funds from that (are) actually going to benefit the Heartstrings Foundation, which is an amazing organization that provides therapy and musical instruments to veterans that suffer from PTSD,” Wilkins said. “We’re really excited about that.”
Lindsey Furr, a full-time freelance artist from Gilbert, was invited to apply after Conception Arts began following her on Instagram.
“I followed them back and then I kind of followed their different shows that they had been having, and then eventually somebody reached out to me and invited me to apply … they got me booked basically right away,” Furr said.
Furr said that although she has experience with multiple mediums of art, she would be showcasing mostly her embroideries and drawings at the exhibition.
“That kind of art is very much personal to me, based just on the themes that I choose to commit to,” she said.
In addition to Phoenix, Conception Arts will be hosting art shows in the upcoming months in New York, Texas, Illinois, and California.
Contact the reporter at eswhifti@asu.edu.
