I traveled recently to Phoenix from a four-day hiking sojourn through Sedona’s majestic Red Rocky Mountains. My purpose was to visit my cousin Joey, a transplant from our family’s native Hartford. It was my first visit to the city and arrived early in the morning for some exploring before my dinner date with Joe. I parked at the Convention Center and walked, seeking out areas where artists work, public art, etc. Phoenix’s landscape is flat, developed block by block with imposing concrete walkways and stucco buildings. A discomforting and far cry from New England’s trees, hills, and colonial-style, red-brick homes that shape my walking commutes back home.
What did delight me were the transformative murals along Roosevelt Row, a walkable, creative district (nicknamed RoRo) that hosts art exhibitions and cultural events. I included a couple of my favorites in this blog post; the colors, curvilinear shapes, and figures juxtaposed to engaging text transform the flat, hard concrete into a vibrant palette that stirred my curiosity and spirit.
https://www.judithsapron.com/
On my walk, I discovered the city’s largest gallery space and hub of RoRo arts center district, monOrchid Gallery. The large open space welcomes artists and culture lovers in the community to gather in one of the funky seating areas and to participate in their ongoing cultural events and gallery openings. I was introduced to an emerging artist Judith Ann Miller through her exhibition, ” The Velvet Hammer.” Her installation of works in a variety of media became an immersive looking experience. Miller employs vintage advertisements, stock photos, referencing events from the 50s and 60s, invoking social commentary on modern environments, including women. I was so inspired, I am in the planning stages of creating a podcast episode on solely Miller’s work and her artistic process for mid-February. Stay tuned!
Enjoy a few of my favorite murals!
