Photos by Angelina Aragon Sculptor Carlos Page admits he’s not much of a “tool guy.” Walking through his outdoor studio in Cave Creek, he points out a few that he uses to create his abstract pieces and high-design furniture – a welder, a hammer, tin snips. “I do a lot with a little,” he adds. Perhaps seeing his large, labor-intensive works is what leads to the surprise at his minimal toolbox. The Buenos Aires-born artist takes no shortcuts. “I do everything by hand,” Page says. He doesn’t do sketches in advance, and characterizes his process as organic. He’ll grab pieces and instinctually st ..read more

Photos by Angelina Aragon; Provided by Alison Auditore Alison Auditore likes to draw hair. In her Chandler apartment, she stands at her easel creating the loops and waves that often become the signature of her portraits, probing with pencil then finishing with pen. “The way I draw hair, I have a lot of fun,” she says. “I do a spiraling technique to show texture. Sometimes, I’ll do a wavy line pattern. If I want to do an afro, I’ll do even more stipples. The focal point of my style is black and white with these kinds of textures.” Nearly all of her pieces are black and white. The 28-year-old ..read more

Following an abrupt pandemic shutdown last spring, performing arts companies and museums are raising the curtain on a dynamic new season. Due to concerns regarding the coronavirus we recommend that you confirm information before making plans by calling the listed phone number or checking the website. Kodo at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts; Photo by Takashi Okamoto The coronavirus pandemic brought traditional arts to a screeching halt last spring as theaters and museums dimmed the lights for an unexpected and l-o-n-g intermission. Before the dominoes started to fall, all of ..read more

Bar Flies – the monthly live reading series curated by PHOENIX columnist Amy Silverman and Valley advertising professional Katie Bravo – is typically held at Valley Bar in downtown Phoenix. COVID-19 chucked a wrench right through the rest of their fifth season, so the duo decided to create a virtual Bar Flies show with illustrated stories. They’re all still true, and as always there’s a theme. This month’s is HOME. For more information about Bar Flies – both live and virtual – visit barflies.org. Our second IBF entry is Monica Aissa Martinez’s “Looking for Truth.” Martinez is a visual artist ..read more

Ballet Folklórico Nacional de Cuba; Photo by Rick Giase Cuba Rhythm and Views provides a humanizing peek into Cuban culture through arts-focused excursions to the island nation. Diplomatic relations with Cuba may be deteriorating politically, but they’re thriving culturally – at least where Woody Wilson and Neil Birnbaum are concerned. The two are founders and principals of Cuba Rhythm and Views (CRV), a cultural exchange program that brings American musicians and patrons to Cuba and Cuban musicians to America. “We’ve always felt that we’re in the cultural diplomacy business with Cuba,” says ..read more

Photo courtesy Hotel Valley Ho Get moving this month with these new ambulatory art experiences. Scottsdale Fashion Square Shoppers can now take an art walk scattered in and around the luxury mall. You’ll find eight art installations, including Girl Inspired, a three-dimensional work by local artist Diane Rogers depicting a girl with a vivid bouquet of red balloons (in the Apple wing). Cost: Free. For a self-guided tour, visit fashionsquare.com/artwalk or follow along on social media. Hotel Valley Ho Lace up your walking shoes for the Insider Public Art Tour, a two-hour exploration of Old To ..read more

As the mercury drops, the Valley’s arts scene heats up. Plan your patronage with this guide. The post 2023 Fall Arts Preview appeared first on PHOENIX magazine ..read more

Photo by Kyle Field Artlink ups the ante on First Fridays with a connector hub for cars and a hotel art lab. Artlink built First Fridays. And, as the old cinematic cliché suggests, people came. What began as an effort 15 years ago to draw people into Phoenix has now evolved into a thriving celebration of arts and culture that attracts up to 20,000 people every month. And those people need somewhere to park among all the other people who have recently discovered Downtown for its restaurants, sports teams and performing arts venues. “Finding parking in Downtown Phoenix is becoming increasingly ..read more

Artist Isaac Caruso weaves his love of travel and creating into a cohesive story about a girl living with Attention Deficit Disorder in his new children’s book, Sam & Sara. In this video we learn more about Caruso and how he made this ambitious project come together. Follow on Instagram: @Isaac Caruso @minglefield_v2 @phxmagazine Find the book at: samandsara.org/learn-more The post Art Directions with Author and Muralist Isaac Caruso appeared first on PHOENIX magazine ..read more

Fresh from Minneapolis, MIM’s incoming Artistic Director of Music Theater Andrew Walesch sits down with PHOENIX magazine Art Director Mirelle Inglefield to share a bit about his musical background, vision for the future of the MIM Theater and the scoop on the upcoming 2023 Spring and Summer concert lineup. The post Art Directions with incoming Artistic Director of MIM Music Theater Andrew Walesch appeared first on PHOENIX magazine ..read more