Art Galleries in Phoenix – 5 Places To Visit!

Phoenix City houses many art galleries. These art galleries in Phoenix are majestic and have been popular tourist spots.

The exhibits in these galleries include the works of famous artists around the world. If you are an art enthusiast, then you cannot miss the opportunity to visit these art galleries in Phoenix.

Art galleries allow learning and enjoying at the same time. These are amazing places to have an educational visit with your families. Not only will the visit be educational but also help them to appreciate art and artists at a young age.

Phoenix gives you plenty of options for art galleries to choose from. Well, we will help you make the decision. Here are the top 5 art galleries in Phoenix.

1. Famous Art Galleries in Phoenix – 5 Places to Visit!

Most of the art galleries in Phoenix have a varied collection from across the globe. Each gallery competes with the other with its unique theme and art collection. We have analyzed these art galleries and presented you with our top 5 choices.

1.1. Phoenix Art Museum

Phoenix Art Museum is part of the Phoenix Point of Pride. It is located in Phoenix, Arizona. It is the biggest visual art museum in the southwest of the USA. The art museum has a collection of over 18000 artifacts from across the world. 

These artifacts and exhibits have origins in Europe and America. The art gallery also includes contemporary, Asian, Latin American, and modern arts. The gallery also houses a community hall. 

Phoenix Art Museum was built in 1959. It has been hosting live performances and exciting festivals ever since. The art museum also conducts various Educational programs throughout the year. 

The art gallery also has a dedicated section for children known as The Hub: The James Interactive Gallery. It also features a  photography exhibition. The exhibits are enjoyed by photo enthusiasts and have become popular in recent years.

Phoenix Art Museum runs in partnership with the Center for Creative Photography. There are dining and shopping facilities with the art gallery.

You can enjoy a meal with your loved one amidst the beautiful exhibits. Also, do not forget to buy souvenirs to remember your visit.

Another important aspect of the Phoenix Art Museum is the Sculpture Garden. The Sculpture garden has many skillfully created sculptures from rocks from around the world. Be ready to be amazed by them. 

Phoenix Art Museum is indeed one of the best art galleries in Phoenix. Let us now look at the collections in this art gallery.

1.1.1. Collections

Phoenix Art Museum has one of the best collections among others. It has over 19000 exhibits.

These exhibits belong to different art forms from around the world. The photography exhibition is the most enjoyable section of the museum as per the reviews.

The Phoenix Art Museum is also famous for its European, American, and Contemporary arts. European paintings in the museum belong to famous artists such as Jacob Cornelisz, Genga, Marcellus, and Bernardo Strozzi.

You will also find paintings from Carlo Dolci, Master of Astorga, and Nicolas Lepicie. You can also enjoy artworks of lesser-known artists such as Hippolyte Delpy, Giovanni Piazzetta, George Romney, and Claude Monet. 

American paintings have a dedicated section at the Phoenix Art Museum. You can enjoy the famous artworks of Ed Mell, Gilbert Stuart, Marsden Hartley, and Howard Post.

Do not miss the opportunity to enjoy the Contemporary art section at Phoenix Art Museum. The contemporary arts are a real delight in this museum.

You can enjoy the artworks of Yayoi Kusama,  Helen Frankenthaler, and Viola Frey amongst others. You can find the list of art and the artist on the official website of Phoenix Art Museum.  

1.2. Heard Museum

Another art gallery in Phoenix that tops the list is the Heard Museum. It is a non-profit art gallery dedicated to promoting American Indian Art.

The Heard Museum is famous for exhibiting the stories of American Indian people. It gives a first-person insight into the lives of the American natives.

The museum has a collection of both contemporary and traditional art forms. The exhibits in the museum belong to Native American Artists, tribal communities, and American Indian Artists. You will find exhibits of art forms that speak about the loNativeive American culture.

The artwork provides an exceptional perspective. These are related to the Native people’s art. This museum also has an amazing art gallery in Phoenix. Also, its primary spot is recorded as a Phoenix Point of Pride.

Previously, the museum had two branches. The first one was Heard Museum West. It was located in Surprise. But,  it was closed in 2009.

The second one was the Heard Museum North Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona. This was closed in May 2014. Both branches were run by Heard Museum. 

1.2.1. Collections

The collections are dedicated to the Native people’s lives. It comprises over 40,000 objects. Mainly, it has two primary collections of art.

This includes collections of thorough cultural artworks. These are from the Greater Southwest and others from North American contemporary arts.

Primary collections include:

• Prehistoric Southwestern Ceramics. 
• Zuni & Navajo Jewelry. 
• Southwestern Baskets. 

About 4,000 of the artworks have been part of the American Indian Fine Art Movement. It’s since the 20th century. It includes the finest artworks. These artworks are of many famous contemporary artists. Also, it includes historic American Indian artists.

1.2.2. Exhibitions

The museum is also better known for its popular award-winning exhibits. There are many famous exhibits. Its current exhibitions consist of traveling exhibitions and changing exhibitions.

Also, ongoing exhibitions are included. Furthermore, it also has many famous past exhibitions.

Its current changing, ongoing, and traveling exhibitions are:

• In the Service Of American Indian Veteran Artists & Tributes. 
• The North Star Changes: Works by Brenda Mallory. 
• Away from Home: American Indian Boarding School Stories. 
• The substance of Stars. 
• The Third Dimension: Sculptural Stories in Stone & Bronze 
• HOME: Native People in the Southwest. 
• Arriving Forever into the Present World. 
• American Indian Veterans National Memorial. 
• It’s Your Turn Activity Gallery. 
• NEH On the Road. 

Its past exhibitions include:

• Elegant Vessels. 
• The Art & Legacy of Hawaiian Surfing. 
• Southwest Silverwork, 1850-1940.
• Small Wonders.
• Sonnet of Lament. 

1.3. Shemer Art Center

The Shemer Art Center is situated at Camelback Road, Phoenix, Arizona, US. It is an art museum and center. Besides, it is devoted to art education facilities.

This is an educational art gallery in Arizona. However, the Shemer Art Center & Museum was founded in 1984. Also, its founder was Martha Shemer.

She bought a house built in mission-style. Also, she purchased three acres of land. It was to donate to Phoenix City. So, it can be used for featuring art education.

In 2010, the center almost closed due to budget limitations. The museum is managed by the Shemer Art Center & Museum Association. It’s managed along with the Phoenix Parks & Recreation Department.

Afterward, the citizens founded an association. It was named the Shemer Art Center & Museum Association. However, it was to preserve and assist the facility. Furthermore, the Shemer Art Center is also a part of Phoenix Points of Pride.

Its previous exhibitions include:

• Varied Voices in Celebration of Women II. 
• CWA Spring 2023 Exhibition. 
• The Charmed Gardens. 

1.4. Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve – Art Galleries in Phoenix

Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve is situated in the Deer Valley, Phoenix, Arizona. Initially, it was called Deer Valley Rock Art Center. This is a nature preserve.

Further, it has occupied an area of 47 acres. It features more than 1500 petroglyphs. These are visible on five hundred basalt gibber stones.

The US Army Corps of Engineers devoted this art to Simon J. Bruder in 1980. It was to execute an archaeological investigation. The investigation was held before the Adobe Dam’s construction. 

The petroglyphs in this art gallery are 500 to 5,000 years old. In 1984, the site was recorded in the National Register of Historic Places.

This is also a part of Phoenix Points of Pride. The School of Human Evolution & Social Change of ASU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences operates this museum. Will Bruder designed this museum. Afterward, in 1994, it was built on the site.

1.4.1. Collections

Following are the Hohokam petroglyphs. Other items of the gallery at Deer Valley Rock Art Center:

• National Register of Historic Places Marker
• Entrance. 
• The Hedgpeth Hills & Sonoran Desert. 
• A prehistoric Hohokam cooking pit. 
• A petroglyph. 

1.4.2. Exhibitions and Rock Art Center

SHESC & Arizona State University have collaborated to deliver many exhibits. Later, these exhibits turned into the site’s educational mission.

Its permanent exhibits include ‘Leaving Marks’, ‘Many Voices,s’ and ‘One Word’. 

The Deer Valley Rock Art Center is the chief art gallery in Phoenix of this art center. Moreover, the landscape architect Christy Ten Eyck and architect Will Bruder designed the structure.

They designed this center together. It was built in 1994. However, this museum was mainly founded to showcase distinct architectural solutions.

These solutions include design elements. Firstly, they were made of concrete and steel. Secondly, the museum’s shape is like a boomerang. However, it’s because it symbolizes connecting the Phoenix city.

It connects to the preserve’s sanctuary. Moreover, this has an extent for teaching and presentation. Furthermore, ongoing exhibits and research are also included.

1.5. Musical Instrument Museum – Art Galleries in Phoenix

The Musical Instrument Museum is situated in Phoenix, Arizona, US. It was opened in April 2010. In addition, this is the world’s biggest museum of its type. Further, it shows the collections of more than 15,000 musical instruments.

It also includes related objects. These objects are from about two hundred countries and territories. Further, India, the United States, Brazil, Mexico, and China are several large countries included in this.

The founder was the former chairman of the Target Corporation. Also, he was a world museum enthusiast. Additionally, he was a collector of African Art.

He developed the idea of a museum. However, the idea originated when they came back from a visit. Moreover, this visit was to the Musical Instrument Museum, in Brussels, Belgium.

The contemporary art occupies an area of 200,000 square feet. It’s along with 2 broad floors of galleries.

It took a cost of more than 250 million US dollars to complete construction. There are many exhibitions with a flat-screen. It’s with high resolution for each country.

These screens show the native musicians with the native instrument playing. Also, visitors are allowed to listen to their performances. They can listen with a wireless device by using headphones.

Meanwhile, these devices start automatically while an exhibit is being observed. It has a theater with 299 seats for concerts. However, it also facilitates a cafeteria. It is with outdoor and indoor seating arrangements.

Many famous musical artists are featured at this museum. It includes George Benson, Wanda Jackson, Ronnie Spector, Martha Reeves, and Ramsey Lewis.

1.5.1. Collections

It features a broad collection of musical objects. These are from different countries worldwide.  The collections are listed on the official website. 

1.5.2. Exhibitions

There are many exhibits based on different countries and territories. Given below are a few exhibits:

• Europe Exhibit. 
• Asia Exhibit. 
• USA Exhibit. 
• Singapore Exhibit. 
• Mongolia Exhibit. 
• Cambodia Exhibit. 

2. Conclusion

You will find many amusing art galleries in Phoenix. Many of these are listed as the Phoenix Points of Pride. Each art gallery has unique artworks to enjoy. 

A wide range of exhibitions is stunning in these art galleries. These include fine arts, contemporary art, and musical art galleries. Additionally, you can enjoy the beauty of these art galleries.

The art galleries have beautiful construction. Also, it showcases many famous exhibitions. People can not miss visiting these art galleries in Phoenix.  Few of these art galleries are historic.

However, you will have a distinct experience each time you visit art galleries in Phoenix. So, don’t miss the famous collections and exhibitions when you are in Phoenix.

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