Justin Ferris for Phoenix.org
The end of the year brings three major holidays, and they provide plenty of reasons to get out of the house and see some art exhibits. Maybe you need to find something to do with the kids or in-town relatives. Perhaps you need somewhere to escape from the kids or in-town relatives.
Either way, we rounded up some great Valley art exhibits everyone should see. These cover a range of subjects, so you’re sure to find something of interest.
Speaking of things to do for the holidays, make sure you hit some of the ongoing light festivals or holiday performances in the Valley.
Alien Worlds and Androids
Kids and sci-fi-loving adults alike will love this 5,000 square foot exhibit at Arizona Science Center. See life-size replicas of Iron Man, C-3PO, R2D2 and other fan favorites. Plus, learn about real alien worlds and robots with looks at Mars and the Curiosity rover, along with activities, experiments, crafts and more.
Where: Arizona Science Center, 600 E Washington St., Phoenix
When: November 14 to January 16, 2017; daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $24 adult, $19 kids 3-17
More info: http://www.azscience.org
Dragons and Vines: Inlaid Guitar Masterpieces
On its own, the world-class Musical Instrument Museum should be one of your stops on any tour of the Valley. However, it gets even better with the “Dragons and Vines” exhibit. This large collection of guitars, banjos — and one ukulele — shows off jawdropping inlays by the best artists and luthiers in North America.
Where: Musical Instrument Museum, 4725 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix
When: November 14 to September 4, 2017; daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $10 for exhibit only or $7 with museum admission
More info: http://mim.org
In Stitches: Seriously Humorous Art Quilts
Quilts take a lot of time and effort to create, so many people assume that they’re serious business. The latest Art Quilts exhibit at Chandler Center for the Arts undermines that stereotype with quilts that contain humorous images and titles.
Where: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 North Arizona Avenue, Chandler
When: November 18 to January 7, 2017; Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free
More info: http://chandlercenter.org
This year’s Art Quilts juror, Marla Hattabaugh, made her career around humorous quilts and a concurrent exhibit of her work — “These Are Not Your Grandmother’s Quilts” — takes place at the CCA Vision Gallery.
Where: The Vision Gallery, 10 East Chicago Street, Chandler
When: November 18 to January 7, 2017; Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free
More info: http://visiongallery.org/
It’s a Dog’s Life
La Tortuga by Kim Johnson
Dog lovers and kids will enjoy this exhibit at the i.d.e.a. Museum. In addition to fun art that features dogs and a journey through the history of canines and man, you can explore how dogs see, build your own dog house, play veterinarian, and enjoy plenty of other arts, crafts and exhibits that use all your senses.
Where: i.d.e.a. Museum, 150 W. Pepper Place, Mesa
When: November 14 to January 22, 2017; Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
Cost: $8 per person, free for kids under 1
More info: http://www.ideamuseum.org
Mesa Arts Center
The Mesa Arts Center Museum hosts several exhibits at any given time, and they’re free, so drop by and see them all. At the moment, you can see “Off the Page” (multimedia works inspired by great literature and stories), “The Footnote Chronicles by Corinne Geertsen” (surreal photo manipulations), “Disillusioned” (including photographic pieces from “Fallen Princesses” and “Gods of Suburbia”), and “Paradise Lost” (ten drawings that merge the contemporary and ancient).
Where: Mesa Arts Center, One East Main St, Mesa
When: November 14 to January 2017; Tuesday to Sunday, Times Vary
Cost: Free
More info: https://www.mesaartscenter.com
Nature Connects: Art with LEGO Bricks
Combine the Phoenix Zoo and Lego, and you get an art exhibit the entire family can enjoy. This touring exhibit uses more than one million Lego bricks to create 27 exquisite animal and flora sculptures. From a giant corn spider and a herd of deer to a huge polar bear with cubs (sponsored by Coca-Cola, naturally) there’s plenty to enjoy.
Where: Phoenix Zoo, 455 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix
When: November 14 to January 2, 2017; daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Included with zoo admission
More info: http://phoenixzoo.org
Phoenix Art Museum
Left: Antonio Maria Esquivel, Portrait of a Man, 1840-1850; Right: Antonio Maria Esquivel, Portrait of a Woman, 1840-1850
In addition to its massive regular collection, the Phoenix Art Museum hosts regular special exhibits that are definitely worth a look. At the moment, you can see “Get Face” (assembled portraits from all the museum’s collections), “Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic” (contemporary portraits from a new leading artist), “Mapping the Monochrome” (conceptual art featuring maps, monochromes and sculptures from Horacio Zabala) and “Emphatics: Avant-Garde Fashion 1963-2013.” Plus starting in December are two new exhibitions: “INFOCUS Juried Exhibition of Self-Published Photobooks” and “Eye on Fashion: The Kelly Ellman Collection.”
Where: Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix
When: November 14 to January 2017; Tuesday to Sunday, Times Vary
Cost: Museum admission
More info: http://www.phxart.org/
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
John Coleman, “First Chief,” 2016, oil on canvas; Collection of John and Sue Coleman. Photo by John Coleman.
For a dose of Arizona history, few places rival the Museum of the West. In addition to its regular and ongoing exhibits that feature art and artifacts spanning Arizona history, it currently hosts an exhibit featuring the work of John Coleman, an award-winning member of Cowboy Artists of America. From painting to sculpture, his work explore the history and culture of Arizona’s Native Americans.
Where: Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, 3830 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale
When: November 14 to May 31, 2017; Tuesday to Sunday, Times Vary
Cost: Museum admission
More info: http://scottsdalemuseumwest.org