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On the Wall
Artistic inmates, living mannequins and a monthly reminder of the Flagstaff appeal
By Penelope Bass
Published on 11/05/2009
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It’s nice to think that Flagstaff is isolated, if not altogether immune, from the bigger problems of the world. Though we certainly deal with our own issues—from a soaring cost of living to the struggle to maintain a healthy environment—somehow the residents of Flagstaff never lose sight of the qualities that make this town a place we love. And if we do start to forget, there is a reminder on the first Friday of each month that we are surrounded by art and music, and the people who create it, if only for the benefit of the rest of us. Go out this Friday and celebrate anniversaries, new galleries, and everything you love about Flagstaff’s art community.
Beaver Street Gallery
Always walking a fascinating line between the evocative and the downright bizarre, Beaver Street Gallery will be opening two new exhibitions this Friday. Gallery owner David B. Harton will be presenting a new socio-political installation piece titled “She was Carrying a Concealed Weapon,” which will also feature a live performance during the Art Walk. We suppose it could be a statement about guns in America, or something more akin to “The Crying Game,” but you’ll just have to go to find out. Also opening will be the exhibit “Inside Out,” which is presenting multi-media work created by inmates in Arizona prisons. From sweet gang tats to Dali-esque surrealism, you’ll be surprised by the breadth of creativity present in the show. Check out both exhibitions at 2 S. Beaver. For more info, call 214-0408 or visit www.beaverstreetgallery.com.
Wil McNabb Fine Jewelry Studio
Though it may be hard to pull your eyes away from the stunning, handmade jewelry in the cases, the walls of the Wil McNabb studio are well-worth a look too, always displaying intriguing work by local and national artists.
This month, catch the show “Skinny Dipping” with work by two Arizona printmakers, Marlys Kubicek and Wendy Willis. The artists will be showing both hand-pulled monotypes and photo polymer etchings. If you don’t know what either of those things are, stop by the gallery for a reception with the artists. 18 N. Leroux. To find out more, call 213-1572.
Grandon Art Gallery
We love the absorbing, almost luminescent abstract paintings by local mixed-media artist Jessica Dawn. See a new collection of some of her large-scale pieces on display this month at the Grandon Art Gallery. Also new at the gallery will be the crafty furniture creations of master local carpenter Dan Taylor. Swing by the gallery to check out both displays, and remember that David Grandon always has something up his sleeve. To get more info, call 380-4915 or visit www.grandonartgallery.com.
West of the Moon Gallery
In addition to its regular collection of work by more than 50 local artists—from jewelry, to painting, to sculpture—West of the Moon Gallery will by exhibiting a new show this month titled “The Many Faces of the Southwest,” which features entrancing photography of our varied Southwestern landscapes by photographer Rick Goldwaffer. Swing by West of the Moon for maximum art-by-square-foot enjoyment. 111 E. Aspen, Ste. 2. For more info, call 774-0465 or visit www.westofthemoongallery.com.
The Artists Gallery
A logical starting point for any Art Walk adventure, the Artists Gallery is putting the spotlight this month on a handful of artists that dabble with the elements in one way or another. Katherine Farr creates knit, sewn and hand-woven garments and textiles, primarily from natural fibers, and Joan Scott also works with quilting and fiber arts. Steve Bledsoe represents nature with his skillful paintings of landscapes and wildlife. Finally, Bonny Waters’ medium of creation is fire, as she molds glass into precise and colorful jewelry. Stop in the gallery to see the featured artists, as well as the dozens of other talented local artisans represented. 17 N. San Francisco. To know more, call 773-0958 or see www.theartistsgallery.net.
Artists’ Coalition of Flagstaff
Although it has been an integral part of the Flagstaff arts community for more than a dozen years, the Artists’ Coalition of Flagstaff is celebrating the one-year anniversary of their gallery space, which provides a rotating venue for the coalition’s sizable membership of both accomplished and up-and-coming artists. Swing by the gallery to see work by their featured artist Mary Swanson and to help them celebrate the coalition’s long commitment to advancing the arts and arts education. 13 N. San Francisco, Ste. 103. To find out more, call 522-6969 or visit www.flagstaff-arts.org.
NAU Clay Club
Help out the talented ceramics students at Northern Arizona University by checking out the coffee and cookie fundraiser hosted by the NAU Clay Club. Pick out a handmade mug of your choice for 10 bucks and get it filled with coffee (with cookies on the side). All the proceeds go to the Clay Club, so do it for the kids. They’ll be at the Drury Inn, 300 S. Milton, from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Call 699-8984 to get more info.
Tacos Locos
Celebrate a belated Dia de los Muertos at Tacos Locos where they’ll be displaying the colorful, Day of the Dead-inspired ceramics of local artist Robin Siddharta. There will also be live music by the local folk duo Traditional Blend, and if you stick around it will be open mic comedy night starting at 8 p.m. To know more, call 774-4420.
Rainbow’s End and Jemini Shoes
On the Rainbow’s End side of things, check out the abstract nature photography of Kyle Declerk and handmade scarves by Bethany Page. Over in Jemini Shoes (which, if you haven’t been there, is in the same store) they’ll be performing a preview of Flag Live’s upcoming fashion show Strut (on Nov. 20 at the Orpheum Theater) with live mannequins sporting the latest in fall fashion. Music will be provided by DJ Emmett, tasty snacks by Mountain Oasis, and there will even be free psychic readings and hair-shimmering. Fabulous! 12 E. Rte. 66, Ste. 101. For more info, call 774-5535.
U.T.O.P.I.A.
In addition to the locally designed and crafted fashions that stock their racks, Utopia will also be featuring the drawings and acrylic paintings of Tyler Bighorse for Art Walk. His work focuses on the clash between Native American culture and tradition and the modern world. As usual, live music and tasty goodies will all be part of the celebration. Call 286-7174 to find out more. See some of Bighorse’s work at www.myspace.com/tylerbighorse.
The Hallway Art Show
Organized by notorious local chocolatier Uncle Buzz, the Hallway Art Show is a new venue of sorts featuring rotating collections of various local artists in the main hallway of the Masonic Lodge downtown. This month check out the featured art work by Mike Frick, Meredith Potts, Carol Hagen and Patty West, with music by Acoustic Soup. Check out the new location at 107 E. Birch. To get more info, call 606-1332.
Additional photos for this story:
"Contrasts" by Rick Goldwasser.
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"The Wrong Door" by Jessica Dawn.
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