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On the Wall
Warming weather, budding talent, perennial genius
By Penelope Bass
Published on 03/05/2009
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Our recent stretch of gorgeous, temperate weather may have everyone thinking spring, but there’s always the potential that we’ll be buried in snow again—soon. So get out and enjoy it while you can by hitting the sidewalks downtown for the First Friday Art Walk.
On display this month is a wealth of world-class photography (some of which will even be up for bids), paintings of both abstract concepts and familiar landscapes, thought-provoking installation art and new artists and venues joining the celebration.
Hidden Light
Flagstaff’s student and community photojournalism group, PJ/One, will be hosting their annual photo auction at the Hidden Light gallery. This year’s guest photographer is Paul Mobley, who has worked with Annie Leibovitz and David Langley, and is promoting his new photography book “American Farmer: The Heart of our Country.” The auction will also feature work by many well known photogs including David Edwards, Jay Showers, Tom Alexander and Shane Knight. The exhibit opens for Art Walk at 6 p.m., but the auction will run through April 3. Swing by to check out some spectacular photography, help a local organization and enjoy tasty treats from Cuveé 928. 427 S. San Francisco. To find our more, call 527-1847 or visit www.pjoneblog.blogspot.com.
Beaver Street Gallery
The Beaver Street Gallery will be hosting California sculptor Barbara Thompson and her art installation “War Bride 1969: Mail Drop” in their alpha space. The moving and unique exhibit features wedding dresses with letters written on them in black marker.
Stop by the gallery for the artist’s reception from 6–8 p.m. 28 S. Beaver. For more info, call 214-0408 or visit www.beaverstreetgallery.com.
Shonto Begay’s Studio
If you’ve ever dreamed of owning an original painting by one of Flag’s most iconic artists, Shonto Begay, now is your chance. Begay will be opening his downtown studio and offering a series of all-new original paintings that will fit your budget and your backpack. Pay a visit to his working studio (on Aspen above the Downtown Diner) to admire his recent work and maybe even take one home for yourself. 7 E. Aspen, Ste. 4. For more info, visit www.shontobegay.com.
The Shane Knight Gallery
Photographer Shane Knight does it the old-fashioned way. All of his breathtaking, large-scale photographs of western landscapes and horses are captured on film and printed in a darkroom. And if you stop by his refined-yet-cozy gallery this Friday, you’ll be able to see his new collection of prints of our own San Francisco Peaks, in addition to his fantastic regular collection. 10 E. Rte. 66. To find out more, call 556-1563 or visit www.shaneknight.com.
Wil McNabb Fine Jewelry Studio
Photographer Joe Cornett explores the stage-like quality created in urban environments when darkness and artificial light meet. His exhibit of these urban landscapes at night, including Phoenix, San Francisco and Alcatraz, will be on display at Wil McNabb’s Fine Jewelry Studio, along with pieces from his conceptual “Idealized Landscapes” series. 18 N. Leroux. For more info, call 213-1572 or visit www.joecornettphotography.com.
Echo Canyon Art
Since opening the gallery last fall, Jay Showers has kept things interesting, featuring not only his colorful landscape photos, but the work of several other renowned local artists. This Friday, Showers will be displaying some of his limited edition photographs from the Grand Canyon, and local glass artisan Judi Hartman will be giving a demonstration on glass cutting and fusing. 14 N. San Francisco. To know more, call 255-0349 or visit www.echocanyonarts.com.
Heart Gallery
Though it may be slightly off the typical art walk route, the Heart Gallery, on display at the Coconino Center for the Arts, is definitely worth a visit. The Heart Gallery is a traveling exhibition that displays pictures of children up for adoption taken by professional photographers. In traveling the country, the Heart Gallery has found great success in both raising awareness about adoption and helping children find homes. The exhibit will be on display through the end of March. 2300 N. Ft. Valley Road. To learn more, call 779-2300 or visit www.azheartgallery.org.
Flagstaff Fine Art
One of the great things about the Art Walk is its continually growing involvement with the community and new venues, like the recently opened gallery by local Bruce Hudgens, Flagstaff Fine Art. They’re boasting an exhibit of some great regional artists including James Ayers, Earl Carpenter, John Farnsworth, Joe Maktima, Robert Draper, Stephen Juharos, Ed Singer, Tom Murray and more. So swing by and show your support for people who support the arts. 115 E. Birch. To find out more, call 226-0893.
Animas Beads
Local artist Brandon Rawls will be displaying new paintings from his series titled “The Rebirth of Crummy.” Rawls creates his multi-media/acrylic portraits on reused canvases and other recycled surfaces using found and discarded objects to bring life to his philosophy that everything around us is a piece of art. Head over to Animas Beads to see his collection of recycled art. 6 W. Rte. 66. For more information, call 779-5057.
Grandon Gallery
Always a favorite stop on the Art Walk, the Grandon Gallery is usually packed to all four walls. But this month the gallery is celebrating its new expansion into the old Louis Buchetto gallery next door, doubling its capacity for the creative. In addition to his recent collection of work, Grandon will also be displaying the colorful abstract paintings of Jessica Dawn, portraits by David Riley and more large work by Shonto Begay. Guitarist Jay Marhoffer will be performing in the window, and the mood should be jovial as always. Swing by to check out the new space. 20 N. Leroux. To find out more, call 380-4915.
Seasoned Kitchen
Feeling peckish? No one serves up tasty hors d’oeuvres like the Seasoned Kitchen. And while there, you can view the colorful paintings of Steve Lawton and Janna Dahl, as well as the work of Kay Brown, Julie Wells and Parker and William Harvey. It’s a feast for the eyes and the palate. 106 N. San Francisco. For more info, call 213-5942 or visit www.seasonedkitchenaz.com.
Additional photos for this story:
"Resurrection" by Steve Lawton
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"Food Not Bombs" by Brandon Rawls
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"Forest with my Eyes Closed" by Brandon Rawls.
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Photo by Paul Mobley from "American Farmer: The Heart of our Country" (Welcome Books)
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