Casselman’s rear-illuminated paintings use technology to create genuine warmth.
Visual ArtsASU Art Musem Ceramic Studio Tour Sneak Peek
Deborah LewisFebruary 23, 2017
Dozens of ceramic artists will open their studios to the public this weekend at 17 locations across the Valley for Arizona State University Art Museum's annual Ceramic Studio Tour. Each studio has a lead artist who has invited special “guest artists,” enticing us with a promising variety of shapes, sizes and styles.
Calling Harold Baldwin a “patient” man is an understatement. It takes him months, even years to finish a single piece of artwork. But it’s well worth the wait. Baldwin creates complex and meticulous works that are at once whimsical and engaging. They are moving – in every sense of the word.
Recently, his three-foot high kinetic sculpture at the Shemer Art Center, “Steam Punk Pinball,” had lines of people waiting to crank the handle and watch as two balls moseyed through the piece via bike chain. Everyone slipped into a joyful state as they looked on, mesmerized.
The perfect holiday present doesn’t have to elude you. The Shemer Art Center in Arcadia boasts a gift shop offering hundreds of one-of-a-kind gifts at truly reasonable prices. Each piece is hand-made by famous and up-and-coming local artists.
The Shemer Art Center is hidden in plain sight on the southeast corner of East Camelback and Arcadia. Near the entrance, a Latin phrase inscribed over a cozy fireplace translates to, “Art is long, life is brief.” Built in 1919, this onetime home is the oldest in the Arcadia neighborhood. It has been a museum since 1985.
While you’re browsing, check out the schedule of classes and upcoming events. And don’t forget to check out the art in the museum itself.
Visual ArtsArt Affairs at the Arizona State Fair
Deborah LewisOctober 17, 2016
Rielle Oase is assistant curator of the art exhibit at the Arizona State Fair. A student of the University of Arizona College of Fine Art, Oase never expected to get the gig. She applied to be a gallery monitor to add experience to her resume.
Chi Isiogu, Arizona State Art Fair head curator, instead brought the talented photography student on board as assistant curator of the 2016 Fine Art & Photography art show and art programming. Oase, who was was tapped to curate a photography competition blitzed with more than 900 entries, says of receiving the offer, “I almost died of excitement.” Isiogu wanted to revamp the exhibit and make it a flagship fair experience, to morph the Fair’s old-school venue - Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum – into a modern art space.
Visual Arts(State) Fair to Excellent: Art Show, Demos & Hands-On Projects
Deborah LewisOctober 4, 2016
Step right up! The Arizona State Fair returns this week, along with its Fine Arts & Photography Competition & Exhibition. Come see, play and – why not? – buy a piece of wonderful and affordable local art.
Every day of the fair (October 7-30) will feature free art demonstrations, with basket weavers, foil sculptors and other artists giving you some tips of their trade so you can make your own magic. The whole family can also participate in a free community mural project that will become part of the fair. Feel free to bring your “found objects” to contribute to the mural station (rules: any item smaller than a quarter and waterproof!) to help make the mural memorable.
Visual ArtsFused, Glued and Blended: Q&A with Multi-Media Artist Kelly Birg
Deborah LewisSeptember 2, 2016
The PHiX sat down with Kelly Birg at the venerable Sugar Bowl restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale.
Ingrid Donaldson is an artist, art teacher, gallery owner and advocate for local artists. The PHiX visited with her at her Scottsdale gallery Blink.
She goes by the name “Glass Chi” professionally. These words – glass and Chi – combine specifically to represent both her and her art. Chibuzor Isiogu describes herself as glass-like: fragile, yet strong; the sum of the parts greater than the pieces.
“New Age” can conjure lousy memories of a funky store ripe with too much incense, or a trippy movie scene. But, lest we forget, the so-called New Age did help popularize meditation, yoga and acupuncture long before they became available on every corner.
Visual ArtsKnock on Wood: James Schwarz Hopes to Dazzle with Woodchip Mosaics
Deborah LewisMarch 15, 2016
James Schwarz has a background in theater. Not on the stage, but building it. He's a scenic carpenter, to be precise, surrounded by a world of 3-D art, with all the world his diorama. Schwarz is currently studying ceramic art at Mesa Community College and chiseling his way into the heart of the local art world.
Humans have fabricated pottery since some ancient knucklehead threw a ball of mud in the embers. When that clay was stone-hard by morning, a sharper friend had an epiphany, and ceramics was born. Over generations, artisans improved on functional clay containers by making them gorgeous. Now, your locally-made ceramic gem is calling you.
Visual ArtsBoring Walls Are Bad For Business – Adorn Them with Andrew Pielage’s Artful Photographs
Deborah LewisJanuary 20, 2016
Let’s face it: Your office needs more than a computer, a desk, a thirsty plant and a few random mementos. It needs walls that tell a story – your story.
Visual ArtsGood Boy! Here’s a Biscuit! – Larry McLaughlin’s Canine Sculptures
Deborah LewisDecember 23, 2015
Larry McLaughlin’s little dog sculptures think they’re big. Larry has a pack of “untitled” canine critters about 10 inches high and maybe a foot long. (The dachshund’s specs officially wiggle in a couple of inches longer.)
Visual ArtsPony Up for the Perfect Gift: Kathy Taylor’s Spirit Horses
Deborah LewisNovember 23, 2015
Artist Kathy Taylor listens to her canvases. Her abstract horse paintings emerge from her acrylic washes, paper and ink and, to hear her tell it, of their own accord. These stunning equine depictions conjure themselves with desert themes, the Old West and Native American myth.