In Review: Phoenix's Hellos and Goodbyes of 2011
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| http://www.flickr.com/photos/29233640@N07 |
1. phICA
In March, art curator and investor Ted Decker, Roosevelt Row and eyelounge founder Greg Esser, and graphic designer Eddie Shea, created the Phoenix Institute of Contemporary Art (phICA), a nonprofit organization that has no official space, carries no permanent collection, and instead focuses solely on programming. It's what the founders call a "lean and mean" opportunity for contemporary artists to learn, grow, and contribute to the contemporary art scene in Phoenix.
3. Lulubell Toy Bodega
Geeks and fanatical collectors of designer vinyl figures got another reason to downtown Mesa tonight with the grand opening of Lulubell Toy Bodega. The designer toy boutique relocated from Tucson's Fourth Avenue and we've been drooling over their niche nerd culture to come to Mesa in the past year.
4. Hazel and Violet INC.
Hello letterpress. When longtime friends Nancy Hill and Beverly Wolfe found a jackpot Craigslist post for a 1922 Chandler & Price letterpress, they knew they were in for a project. And so, Hazel and Violet INK was born. Catch the work in progress (and take some home) at their shop on Fourth Street, or catch some live-pressing during First Fridays.
5. Montage Gallery
Mill Avenue took a deep breath when the City of Tempe opened Montage gallery in the old Abercrombie space. The community art studio houses work and workshops by 18 local artists in November, and it continues to find its place along the busy college street, we're looking forward to seeing another source of creative energy.
6. Monsterland
Mesa's Main Street welcomed a spooky newcomer in October. Monsterland, a combination haunted house and horror film museum, is open year-round so horror buffs and monster lovers can get their fill long after the holiday has passed.
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