At the height of desert summer, art galleries offer a cool, creative oasis to escape the heat. Since the ideal temperature for storing art is 65 degrees, galleries are a perfect spot to plan a summer afternoon soaking in local arts and culture.
Phoenix offers a diverse and exciting array of art catering to all tastes, from historical homes with surreal sculpture parks, Indigenous-centered art exhibitions, Downtown lounge spaces, unique architecture and street murals, and contemporary creatives working today to continue the desert’s legacy as a place of inspiration.
The desert has long inspired dreamers, artists and outlaws with its majestic canyon landscapes and frontier history. From Indigenous artists creating astounding art for centuries to Georgia O’Keefe’s deep love for the Southwest to the rich cultural landscape of modern-day Phoenix, the desert is a treasure trove of creative spaces and rich history worth exploring.
Phoenix boasts many impressive cultural institutions, including the S’edav Va’aki Museum, Heard Museum and Phoenix Art Museum. But independent galleries and art spaces are the lifeblood of any city’s creative body, and getting to know emerging artists and engaging in community is a joyful experience. Here are some of the Valley’s best places to lower your temperature, up your cultural cool factor and get in touch with your artistic side.
Alwun House
This brightly painted orange and yellow house with a lush inviting garden is a historic art space. Originally built in 1912 by German immigrant John Sedler, the house has seen countless creative incarnations throughout the past century. In 1971, the house began its transformation into a multi-media space for artists and community to come together. Since then, it has hosted a renowned Caribbean Carnival, Salon de Enfants youth art show, a “Monsters Menagerie” in October and countless other vital community-centered creative happenings over the decades. With such a fascinating cultural lore, Alwun House is a truly innovative oasis in the desert.
1204 E. Roosevelt St., 602-253-7887, alwunhouse.org
Modified Arts and Eye Lounge
Currently celebrating 25 years as one of metro Phoenix’s longest running artist collectives, Eye Lounge is now showing a landmark exhibition of artworks, which highlight the power of artist-run spaces to sustain community and foster experimentation. Having merged with Modified Arts in 2024, these two original Roosevelt Row art spaces are a locally grown grassroots destination for fine art. With rotating cohorts of established local artists, Modified Arts and sister Eye Lounge, showcase a dazzlingly diverse array of contemporary painting, sculpture, works on paper, photography, multi-media and installation.
407 E. Roosevelt St., 602-312-4203, modifiedarts.org
Bentley Gallery
This premier space dedicated to contemporary art has gone through multiple eras. Founded in 1984 by Bentley Calverley, in a small jewel-like space in Scottsdale, the gallery expanded into a 28,000-foot space in Phoenix’s Warehouse District in 2004. Today, it’s housed in an architecturally unique building in Downtown Phoenix. After more than four decades of shaping the creative landscape of the Southwest, Bentley Gallery will be permanently closing September 13, so this summer is your last chance to take in some stunning abstract and modern art in the space.
250 E. McKinley St., 480-946-6060, bentleygallery.com
The Sagrado Galleria
Established in 2016, The Sagrado is committed to nurturing the community, arts and culture of South Phoenix. Through hosting pillar art shows, workshops, community events and sustainable design advocacy, The Sagrado has impacted the lives of thousands of South Phoenix residents – and beyond. The Galleria is a welcoming, wonderful space to see artworks representing the Southwest’s rising talent. Past Mujeres Del Desierto all-women art shows meditated on the beauty and pains of Mother Earth, Ancestral has been an Indigenous-driven art exhibition since 2017, showcasing indigenous heritage through interdisciplinary and emerging art. In addition, The Sagrado hosts regular community events and creative programming including spiritual painting workshops, healing sound baths and more.
6437 S. Central Ave., 602-413-3357, thesagrado.org
Onyx Art Gallery
Founded by Chicago natives Kat and Vernon Williams, who relocated to Phoenix in 2016, Onyx Art Gallery provides a diverse and exciting space to showcase visual and performing arts. As the first Black-owned gallery in Downtown Phoenix, Onyx brings a much-needed perspective to the desert’s creative culture. With a cozy lounge, performance space and brightly colorful art ranging from painting, sculpture and photography to curated dance and live music, Onyx is an electric hub of creativity.
400 E. Van Buren St., 480-205-1356, onyxartevents.com
FOUND:RE Contemporary
Located in the heart of Downtown Phoenix, FOUND:RE Contemporary is an art gallery space, lounge and sculpture yard that regularly hosts exhibitions representing the Valley’s emerging and established artists. In conjunction with art programming at the FOUND: RE Hotel, this space is part of First and Third Friday Artwalks, as well as a unique creative destination year-round. Hot American Summer, its exhibition of both 2D and 3D works reflects the timeless, nostalgic vibes of American summers, from small-town parades to endless coastlines, on view through October 12.
1100 N. Central Ave., 602-875-8011, foundrecontemporary.com
Lisa Sette Gallery
Founded in 1985, Lisa Sette Gallery is currently celebrating its 40-year anniversary as a gallery centering original, intriguing forms of expression. Its current exhibition, Shaping A Life Of Curiosity II, on view through September 27, celebrates diverse artworks from the past four decades focusing on experimentation in a range of mediums. These bold, intriguing works range from an intricately detailed beaded NASCAR-style racing suit emblazoned with flames by Sam Fresquez, to assemblages mixing classical sculpture with modern elements, to a surreal lonely painting by David Kroll of a porcelain bowl in a misted woodland landscape, among many other visionary works by established and emerging artists.
210 E. Catalina Dr., 480-990-7342, lisasettegallery.com
