Welcome to our Art Adventure: Top 10 Spots for Art Lovers in Phoenix, AZ
Hello friends, welcome to our Art Adventure: Phoenix Edition
Let’s get into the Top 10 Spots for art lovers in Phoenix, Arizona. To visit Phoenix is to visit a place immersed in both natural and man-made beauty. The city is one of the top 5 largest cities in the United States and is growing in population now more than ever. Arizona is often misconstrued as being a desert with 50 shades of beige but don’t let the rumors fool you. This place is filled with diverse art, unforgettable views, and exquisite food and drink options.
We’ve summarized our top 10 spots for art lovers to explore:
Phoenix Airport Museum
If you’re flying into Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, you’ll get to discover exciting art as soon as you land. The airport is surrounded with artwork – literally! As you make your way to the gate, you’ll step your way over images of anatomy and local plant life.
My favorite route is the way to Gates E-F. If you’re eager for more to jump start your art adventure, check out the Airport Museum. It is free to all airport visitors and most of the exhibitions are viewable 24/7.
Cartel Coffee
Hands down, this is our favorite spot for any coffee drink. Not what you expected on this list? Well, good coffee is an art for in itself! It’s also a partner in the painting process. As an artist, I always have a cup of coffee or tea close by while I paint…sometimes too close that I accidentally pick up my paint cup instead – yikes! Back to Cartel Coffee, I ordered my staple drink, a medium iced latte with almond milk. Mateo opted for an iced chai tea latte. Both drinks are deliciously refreshing in the Arizona heat. Iced drinks in hand, we are now ready for an outdoor art adventure.
These next few spots are public murals, making them free and accessible art pieces!
La Musa
2nd Street is THE spot you don’t want to miss! This mural stopped us in our tracks. The woman in this painting is stunning herself but we were in awe for more than superficial reasons. The artist, Clyde, uses his signature style to create this motion effect, making the painting appear blurry. It’s as if you’re driving past quickly even when you’re standing still directly in front of this woman as she ponders.
The Garden
Directly across this beauty are two delicate works of art that bird enthusiasts and philanthropists can’t help but love. Go towards the birds flying across the building to get a close look at Mother Teresa’s wise words written where a young boy stands. Let her statement resonate as you uncover the birds pouring out of the watering can. Artist Jon Linton uses this mural as a message to the community. It represents the homeless in Phoenix and begs the viewers to become more compassionate towards one another, especially towards those who are homeless. You can find more about Linton’s awareness efforts through the I Have A Name Project.
Phoenix Center for the Arts
This next spot is both an art piece and a smart marketing strategy. The colorful cacti and shapes draw you in. The mural is exciting from end to end, enticing you to explore every part of it. Your eyes are then directed to the tag, “Phoenix Center for the Arts”. The Art Center is located just around the corner at 3rd Street and E Moreland Street. Without the mural, we wouldn’t have known much about the Phoenix Center for the Arts or realized that it was nearby.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Phoenix is a culturally diverse place that embraces African-American history from MLK to Jazz musicians. Through this art mural, MLK is brought to life and portrayed as a current member of society. It’s almost as if he’s right here in front of us, also wondering what is happening to our world as he stares outward, deep in thought with his hands intertwined, wearing a face mask. Kyle Holbrook uses this mural to connect iconic moments of the past with our unprecedented issues we face today as a society.
Billie Holiday
As we come out of our somber state from the previous artistic statement, we’re engulfed in this exciting and celebratory image of Billie Holiday. Roy Sproule is a fellow Detroit native and the artist behind this beauty. He helps us connect with the musician so well – we can feel her passion through the raw portrayal of her facial expression. She’s singing these words to us: “It is that of a summer song…a few moments not forever long, through the image look & listen, the given moment, let life glisten.”
Anatomy Art
Moving out from historic artwork spots towards the south side of 2nd Street, we were met with great contrast by the mural of artists, Bishop Ortega, Larry Valencia, and Anthony Vasquez. This mural is both sophisticated and haunting at the same time. The man’s anatomy is exposed, his long arms are stretched outward, and his mind is filling with geometric elements. This makes us ask the question, is he filling up with these rigid shapes or are thy being released from him? What’s your interpretation?
Artisan Shop
Artisan shops are the best spots for souvenirs and gifts. We loved seeing all that Practical Art had to offer. They carry greeting cards, apparel, plate sets, and mugs galore! The porcelain handmade pieces are large enough to be vases for short-stemmed flowers. Some of the mugs are even designed to rest on your thigh as you sip leisurely. Be sure to make your way to this spot for original art you can use!
Comic Book Stores
Mateo, an avid comic book collector, is sure to find the best comic bookstores in any new city he visits. His favorites in Phoenix include Ash Avenue Comics & Books and Samurai Comics. Ash Avenue Comics & Books may be small, but it has an excellent collection of back issues and new books. Mateo bought a ton of Dark Horse Star Wars back issues from this store alone. Samurai Comics offers a great variety of back issues and new books as well. They also have an impressive selection of games, cards, and posters.
Bonus: Arizona Sky
Saving my personal favorite art for last; the pure natural beauty of Arizona sky! The more time spent in Arizona, the more these unforgettable vistas were explored. It felt as if we were immersed in a beautiful watercolor painting, endless layers of mountains surrounding us with the sun shining between the peaks as it sets. These scenes along our drives from Phoenix to Buckeye resemble a live art show that are exceptionally beautiful to watch.
We hope you get to discover these top 10 spots for art lovers in Phoenix!
This is an incredible article that really guides me on an art adventure the next time I am in Arizona. I can’t believe there is a spot at the airport. How cool!