First Fridays guide for Dec. 7: holiday edition
Is First Fridays about the art, or is it about the party?
In December, that long-simmering debate gets complicated by the holiday shopping season, because downtown Phoenix’s monthly self-guided tour of art galleries and studios is an opportunity to find gifts you can't buy on Amazon.
But, yeah, don’t forget to party. Here are five essential stops for some holiday cheer. (Well, six, technically.) First Fridays runs 6-10 p.m. Dec. 7; entry is free unless otherwise noted. Find details on shuttles and parking at artlinkphx.org.
The museum stores
Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave. 602-257-1222, phxart.org
Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-252-8848, heard.org
The Phoenix Art Museum and the Heard Museum are part of the First Fridays tour, and if you’re looking to slip in some gift shopping, they are essential stops. The Heard, of course, focuses on Native American art, and it’s the best place to find a unique Hopi kachina figure. The Phoenix Art Museum has handcrafted Christmas and Hanukkah decorations and plenty of ideas for art lovers. How can you go wrong with a Bob Ross lunch box for $17.99?
Made Art Boutique
922 N. Fifth St., madephx.com
Opened by Cindy Dach and her husband, Greg Esser, in 2005, Made has an ever-changing array of unusual items ranging from funky jewelry and knickknacks to greeting cards and T-shirts. Just one example: artist Star De Luna’s whimsical rings featuring Scrabble tiles and pop-culture icons. Phoenix.
‘Lighthouse’ and Jerusafunk
602-256-6233,
Alwun House, 1204 E. Roosevelt 602-253-7887, alwunhouse.org
If colorful light displays are your favorite thing of the holiday season, stop by the hippie granddaddy of St., Phoenix. all downtown galleries for the “Lighthouse” exhibit of photonic art — the only light in the gallery will come from the works on display. The opening-night party