The Amazing Phoenix Art Scene

By Christina Timberlake

Not surprisingly, most visitors to the Phoenix area expect to find a plethora of southwestern art, and there is no denying that there is an abundance of it here. If southwestern art is your passion, Phoenix provides all styles, forms and medias. An abundance of native quilts and fabrics, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, oil paintings, and photography can be found here in the Valley of the Sun. However, the Phoenix art scene is alive with both southwestern and contemporary art. No matter what your personal tastes in art, you can find what you are looking for in Phoenix.

The Phoenix Art Museum should always be a primary stop for art lovers. Yes, it features an excellent collection of western art, but that is only one part of the gallery. The museum's collection is comprised of over 17,000 art pieces spanning centuries. The gallery carries an excellent array of American, European, Latin, and Asian art, including a modern and contemporary collection, a fashion collection, and exhibits of some of the great masters including Monet and Degas. The Phoenix Art Gallery is host to a wide variety of events including classic film screenings, musical groups, and lectures and lessons for beginning artists from visiting pros. The gallery receives impressive collections from notable galleries throughout the US and Europe making it a worthwhile stop in your hunt for great art.

The Heard Museum which specializes in Southwestern, Native American art was founded in 1929 and is currently considered by many sources to be the nation’s best and most prestigious Indian arts center. Dwight B. and Maie Bartlett Heard founded the Heard Museum to house their extensive private collection of Native American Indian art. It is one of the best places in the world to experience Native culture through art. The museum displays more than 35,000 artifacts so plan to spend some real time there. The gallery proudly displays art and artifacts from tribes throughout the US and Canada as well as Arizona's 21 federally recognized tribal communities, including prehistoric native peoples. The museum is brimming with native baskets, pottery, Kachina Dolls, weaving, jewelry, sculptures and paintings on display for viewing. Exhibits include anything form native poetry compositions, music and photography.

Scottsdale, a suburb of Phoenix, contains more galleries per capita that nearly any other US city. Scottsdale galleries offer a tremendous amount of southwestern artwork while offering a considerable amount of contemporary art as well. Scottsdale boasts over 125 different galleries and plays host to more than 25 Artwalks and events throughout the year. The Scottsdale Gallery Association has been hosting the Scottsdale Artwalks for almost 20 years. The Artwalks are held every Thursday evening and display amazing artwork as well as musical entertainment. During these events galleries open their doors to the general public while displaying the hidden treasures of some of the state’s most exceptional artists. The Scottsdale Center for the Arts can be found here as well. This facility is home to more than 1,500 paintings, sculptures, photographs and objects, encompassing works on paper, design objects, mixed media installations, architectural renderings and public art commissions. The Scottsdale area offers residents and visitors alike an exceptional opportunity to view and purchase both southwestern and contemporary art. In addition to the galleries, the downtown area of Scottsdale offers loads of tantalizing restaurants, nightclubs, and retail shopping opportunities.

If retail art is what moves you, Phoenix and its surrounding communities does not disappoint. Throughout each year various communities, including Fountain Hills, Scottsdale, and Tempe host art festivals. Rows of white tents house impressive art from both local and regional artists. Paintings, sculptures, weavings, and fine jewelry are the real finds here. From Southwestern to contemporary, visitors are overwhelmed by the variety of beautiful work presented by the artists. The festivals create a real opportunity art lovers to find that particular piece that really speaks to them. What also speaks to many visitors at these festivals is the food. Ever present at the festivals are a wide variety of vendors offering sweet treats and savory dishes to tantalize even the pickiest pallet. Two of the local specialties, offered at these festivals, are Indian Fry Bread and Navajo Tacos. Fried bread topped with everything form honey and powdered sugar to refried beans and cheese makes for an authentic native treat.

From the traditional to the contemporary, from local artists to world-renowned masters, Phoenix has an art scene designed to satisfy. No where else does such a young city manage to bring together the work of the artists of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Click here for a list of Major Phoenix Art Museums