Westwind Studios Opens During Art Detour Weekend

By Lilia Menconi Mon., Mar. 1 2010 at 1:08 PM

Categories: Arty Girl

"Mineral" by Margaret Leininger, one of the participating artists at the opening of Westwind Studios.

Yes, Art Detour 22 is upon us!

I know, I know...already?

This week, I'll be blogging my booty off about the art events that will bombard our downtown arts district this weekend. Today, we'll kick things off with a little coverage about the opening of the Westwind Studios.

From this Friday evening, March 6 to Sunday, March 7, you can experience 12 (wowza!) art shows in one stop.

Westwind is a newly converted complex (formerly an historic roadside motel) that features 12 units now available for studio and/or living space. The spaces are intended for local graduate students, artists, designers, and other creative professionals.

"Visibly Quotidian" by Natalia Jaeger. Performance/Installation, 2010. Photo Credit: Anastasia Pagonas.

This weekend, the building's grand opening will show off an art show or a site-specific installation in each unit. Participating artists include Steve Hellfrich, Jon Haddock, Greg Esser, Natalia Jaeger, Matthew Mosher, Benjamin Philips, Thomas Greyeyes, Eileen Standley, Margaret Leininger, Adriene Jenik, and more. You'll also see performance art and live music throughout the weekend.

By Thomas Greyeyes.

Westwind is located on 16th Street, north of the McDowell Road Miracle Mile - a stretch of road between 12th and 10th Streets that was known for its bumpin' business and shopping spots in the 1950's.

While the neighborhood has experienced a serious decline since then, be sure to keep an eye on it in the next few years. It's a geographical mid-point between our downtown arts district and the ASU Tempe campus and is now referred to as the "emerging East McDowell Arts District."

Westwind Studios is located at 2216 North 16th Street. The event opens Friday evening, March 5. Art Detour hours are Saturday, March 6 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, March 7 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.