State of the Art: ARIZONA
Many might view the state of Arizona as one vast deserted land with cactus as far as the eye can see, but artists flock to Arizona for inspiration from not only the desert scenery around Scottsdale and Phoenix, but for the forested, cooler Northern towns of Flagstaff, Prescott and Sedona. Each area has its own unique cultural hub full of art events, galleries and museums that celebrate the Western genre and more.
Painbtiengginnnaimnge,inmsecdoiuttmsd, a0l0e,xth00e”o, bldy Atortwisnt’sdniastmriec.t is home TPOHOTAO CLRAEDRIGT e art district of more than 50 galleries, all within walking distance. Art destinations such as King Galleries and Legacy Gallery help bring Western art to the streets of the “W“eqst’us mootsetwgeosteersn thowenr.”e.
Every Thursday, the galleries stay open late for Gold Palette Artwalk from 6 to 9 p.m., with some themed nights put on by the Scottsdale Gallery Association.
Close by is the popular Western Spirit: Scottdale’s Museum of the West, with its many high-quality exhibitions dedicated to art of the West. One such exhibition that began in October and runs through August
3 is Maynord Dixon’s American West, a retrospective dedicated to the artist’s successful career.
The northern town of Flagstaff also has a vibrant art scene with First Friday Artwalk from 6 to 9 p.m. in the historic downtown area. Visitors can also enjoy live music, special art exhibitions and many local restaurants and bars. With the town’s rich history of Native American culture and its close proximity to the Grand Canyon, the nearby Museum of Northern Arizona showcases a large collection of Native American and Anglo-american work.
Heading southwest, the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg also honors the West with annual events and shows such as Cowgirl Up! Art from the Other Half of the West. This year’s exhibition and sale will run from March 26 through September 5, and will feature prominent women artists from all around the West.
In nearby Prescott is the Phippen Museum. The museum plays an important role in the preservation of art of the American West by displaying Native American artifacts, showcasing permanent displays, rotating exhibits, and events and programs throughout the year. This year marks the 47th annual Western Art Show & Sale, held over Memorial Day weekend in the historic Yavapai County
Courthouse Plaza in Downtown Prescott. Works displayed and featured in the juried show will be Western-themed pieces in acrylic, drawing, mixed media, oil, pastel, sculpture and watercolor.
In the southern part of the state, you can find the city of Tucson, with its quintessential Southwest vibe of adobe houses and desert landscape. Such inspiring scenery gave birth to the Tucson Museum of Art, filled with historic works of the American West. Visitors will also find galleries such as Settlers West Galleries and Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery.
Additional galleries, museums, auctions and events populate the state including
Arizona-sonora Desert Museum and
Mountain Trails Gallery. You can also find the work of artists Bill Nebeker and Risa Waldt. Continue reading this section to get more insights and information to help plan your next art adventure.