Metro Phoenix is a city of art galleries exhibiting works by local, national, and international artists. Most of the galleries in phoenix shows work in various mediums and many of them show works with established artists. They all have different art and every art has a different feel, so whatever your interests and tastes, you’ll find something that catches your fancy.
In this guide, I will share Phoenix galleries that stand above the rest. One sits inside an arts center, and two are located in former warehouses. Another is subterranean, and one sits on the second story of a quaint retail complex. One is owned by a city, and a couple is owned by community activists. Here are our favorites.
Art Intersection
207 North Gilbert Road, Gilbert
Art Intersection, founded by Alan Fitzgerald in January 2011 inside a former dance studio, specializes in the intersection of photography with other forms of artistic expression. It exhibits works by established and emerging artists, including students, in two conjoined galleries with 1,670 square feet on the second floor of the Heritage Court Building in downtown Gilbert. Notable artists who've shown works at Art Intersection include David Emitt Adams, Claire A. Warden, and Lisa Robinson. They also have a photographic lab and offer a wide variety of classes for photographers with varying levels of experience. Art Intersection is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Art One Gallery
4130 North Marshall Way, Scottsdale
Art One Gallery has been representing emerging and established Arizona artists since 1993. It also represents students of Arizona universities, community colleges, and high schools. The gallery was founded by Kraig Foote, who has helped local luminaries including Brian Boner launch successful careers. Located in the downtown Scottsdale arts district, the gallery is a fun place to hang out during Thursday night Scottsdale ArtWalks, when they're open from 7 to 9 p.m. Art One is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Bentley Gallery
215 East Grant Street
Bentley Calverley founded Bentley Gallery in Scottsdale in 1984. In 2004, she went on to open a second art space in a warehouse that she dubbed Bentley Projects. In November 2012, the Scottsdale gallery moved to Bentley Projects, where it’s since been renovated. Bentley Gallery specializes in contemporary art, Asian antiquities, and works from the modern era. Previous exhibitions have featured works by renowned artists Keith Haring, Devorah Sperber, and Dale Chihuly — in addition to works by such local artists as Colin Chillag, Joe Willie Smith, and Denise Yaghmourian. Bentley Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Summer hours vary.
Fine Art Complex 1101
1101 West University Drive, Tempe
Fine Art Complex 1101 presents works by local, national, and international artists working in diverse mediums including video, neon, sculpture, painting, and drawing. prints, fiber art, and more. Most group exhibits include works by emerging and established artists, and many address topics at the forefront of American culture such as racism, sexism, and climate change. Often, participating artists are accomplished art students and university faculty members. The gallery also does exhibition exchange programs with facilities in other states and countries. Gallery hours will resume after renovations are completed.
Lisa Sette Gallery
210 East Catalina Drive
After decades in the downtown Scottsdale arts district, Lisa Sette Gallery moved in June 2014 to a semi-subterranean Al Beadle building in midtown Phoenix. Sette seeks out diverse artists "working on the leading edge of aesthetic, social, and conceptual investigation." She currently represents 42 established and emerging artists working in a wide variety of mediums and presents several exhibitions featuring their works each season. The roster includes famed light artists James Turrell and William Wegman, best known to many for photographing his Weimaraner dogs in various costumes and poses. Sette also represents several metro Phoenix favorites, including Rachel Bess, Angela Ellsworth, and Carrie Marill. The gallery is open
Modified Arts
407 East Roosevelt Street
Located in the Roosevelt Row arts district, Modified Arts was established by Kimber Lanning in 1999 as a visual and performance art space. Today, it's both an art gallery and office space for the nonprofit Local First Arizona, which Lanning founded. The gallery presents mostly local artists, but also national and international artists making contemporary art in a variety of mediums. Local First Arizona staff open the space Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gallery staff are on-site for First Friday from 6 to 10 p.m., for Third Friday from 6 to 9 p.m., and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.