Events for October 31, 2024 - October 31, 2024

In the hustle and bustle of our busy lives, we all need a place where we can go to reflect, re-center, and restore our energy. Artist Frank Gonzales brings this reverent energy to the artwork he creates, making each canvas a sacred space for the plant and animal beings he represents. These meditations allow us to share in the wonder of the natural world and reflect on our relationship to it.

For many, the stereotypical American Dream depicted in media and pop culture is a narrative that no longer fits, and they are finding freedom by writing their own story. Artists Kat Davis and Brianna Noble were raised in what they perceived to be traditional American homes, but as adults, their lives are anything but traditional. For this exhibition, both of the artists dive into their respective domestic spaces to redefine what living the American Dream looks like from the inside out.

Make your own beaded tapestry using plastic pony beads! Participants will use a grid technique to turn original drawings into pixelated beaded tapestries. All materials included. Led by Merryn Omotayo Alaka. Beginners welcome!

Stop by Vision Gallery to try your hand at relief printmaking! Draw on styrofoam plates and use markers to transfer colorful designs and textures in this easy printmaking activity. This is a free, self-led event for all ages, and all supplies are provided. Children are welcome to participate with assistance from an adult.

Relax and learn a new skill in this beginner needle felting class! Participants will use colorful wool roving to create three-dimensional felted hummingbirds. All materials included. Led by Memory Bradley. Beginners welcome!

Stop by the Chandler Center for the Arts to make a collage inspired by Frank Gonzales: Sacred Spaces! Use old magazines, colorful paper, markers, and more to create a collaged representation of nature or a space where you feel most at home. This is a free, self-led activity for all ages, and all supplies are provided. Children are welcome to participate with assistance from an adult.

Taking inspiration from the solo albums of hip hop artists, Edgar 8ahau Fernandez uses Creations from Within, Vol. 2 as an opportunity to showcase his commitment to his craft and display ten years of artistic growth since his first solo exhibition in 2013. Disrupting the myth of the lone creative genius, Fernandez invited a group of artists with diverse talents to collaborate on the exhibited pieces, adding new perspectives and context to his artworks. By exploring the stream-of-consciousness approach that has helped him express his most authentic self, Fernandez hopes viewers can tap into their own creative power to transform their stories, their perspectives, and their futures.

There is an unspoken sense of responsibility shouldered by artists who are people of color. While each work remains the personal expression of an individual artist, it also becomes representative of a community – the voice of many. While there is a satisfaction in fulfilling this role and welcoming viewers into these unique experiences – whether joyous or uncomfortable – we must not forget the beauty and joy that comes purely from the act of creating. In this exhibition, artists have, if just for a moment, become unbound from the responsibility of representation and allowed themselves to be not just representatives for their communities, but themselves.

Stop by Vision Gallery to make a teeny tiny DIY magazine! Express yourself in a miniature zine (short for magazine) using collage, drawing, cartooning, or whatever you like! This is a free, self-led activity for all ages, and all supplies are provided. Children are welcome to participate with assistance from an adult.

From tessellating Portuguese tiles to Yayoi Kusama’s famous dots, artists have found inspiration in recurring patterns for centuries. Some are intrigued by aesthetics, while others find ritual and rhythm in the repetition. Fixations highlights Alexandra Bowers, Talia Dudley, Denise Yaghmourian, and Hyewon Yoon's obsessions in a visible, tangible way. With each dot, stitch, and line, these artists reclaim peace in a chaotic world.