Finding art in Fountain Hills

Plenty of folks will be heading to Fountain Hills for this weekend’s Fountain Hills Great Fair, taking place Feb. 24-26 from 10am to 5pm. But the town also offers all sorts of arts experiences you can enjoy throughout the year.

I headed to Fountain Hills recently to check out an area full of public art works that it’s easy to explore with or without the help of a Fountain Hills Art Walk map you’ll find on the town’s website.

Many are located near a library, museum and community center, as well as the town’s Veterans Memorial. The area is also full of parks, making it a fun place for family picnics.

The town is home to Fountain Hills Theater, which performs “Crazy for You” Feb. 24-March 11. Their youth theater performs “Chapters: A Primer on Drug Awareness,” a work that blends student contributions with a play written by FHYT artistic director Ross Collins, March 16-April 1.

Fountain Hills also has a River of Time Museum — which features exhibits on geology and geology — plus information on diverse groups of people who have lived and worked in this region of the Southwest.

— Lynn

Coming up: Fun with festival season

Walk on the art side

The Beastro participates in 4th Fridays in Prescott

Families who’ve resolved to get more fit during the New Year have several art walk options that make power walking a bit more playful. Check out these art walks, which couple time to stroll with opportunities to experience local arts and culture.

Downtown Chandler Art Walk. Takes place the third Friday of every month along San Marcos Place and Boston Street. The event features art in various mediums, live music from local talent and a fun family atmosphere. Learn more at www.downtownchandlerartwalk.com.

Artist Alicia Van Noy Call painting during a Prescott 4th Friday event

Downtown Mesa 2nd Friday. Takes place the second Friday of each month from 6-10pm on and around West Downtown Main Street. The event features open galleries, live music and hands-on activities. Learn more at www.2ndfridaynightout.com.

First Friday Artwalk. Takes place from 6-9pm the first Friday of each month in historic downtown Flagstaff. The event features special art exhibitions, performances, live music and treats from local art galleries and businesses. Learn more at www.flagstaffartwalk.com.

First Friday Phoenix Art Walk. Takes place the first Friday of each month from 6-10pm. The event features more than 70 galleries, venues and art-realted spaces — with free event shuttles based at the Phoenix Art Museum. Learn more www.artlinkinc.wordpress.com.

Rowena Tank enjoying a 4th Friday event in Prescott

Gallery Row in Tucson Artwalk. Takes place every Thursday from 5-7pm. The event features open galleries, live music and wine tastings. Learn more at www.tucsongalleryrow.com.

Prescott’s 4th Friday Art Walks. Takes place the fourth Friday of each month, with art galleries listing various art walk hours (most start at 5pm and end at 8pm). The event features open art galleries, live music, food and more. Galleries invite visitors to bring non-perishable food items for donation to the Prescott Community Cupboard. Learn more at www.artthe4th.com.

Scottsdale ArtWalk. Takes place every Thursday from 7-9pm in the Scottsdale Art District (in and around Old Town). The event features open galleries, live music and more. Special ArtWalks each month have diverse themes (Jan. 2012: A Taste of…; Feb. 2012: Best of …, March 2012: Native Arts…, April 2012: Glass Act…). Learn more at www.scottsdalegalleries.com.

— Lynn

Note: Events details are always subject to change, so please verify before attending. For a comprehensive listing of events for families, check the Raising Arizona Kids Magazine calendar in print or online.

Coming up: Cinderella– with a twist, Wings & things

Photos courtesy of the City of Prescott Office of Tourism

Scottsdale school joins Scottsdale ArtWalk

Faculty, students, friends and supporters of New Way Academy in Scottsdale gathered during Thurday night’s ArtWalk in Scottsdale for an exhibition of artwork by students, with a few fun teacher works — including an amazing quilt by school librarian Janet Caruth — thrown into the mix.

New Way Academy serves K-12 students living with dyslexia and other learning challenges, and understands the role of art in communication, imagination and self-expression. There’s always plenty of art lining the halls of the Scottsdale campus, but it was nice to see some of it on display for others in the community to enjoy.

Students created works with various themes — like flowers or desert scenes, and used particular approaches, such as still life and surrealism. The diversity of their creations beautifully mirrors the unique individuality of each student. Exploring children’s art is like opening a window to the heart and mind. It’s breathtaking.

While attending Thursday’s exhibition at the Calvin Charles Gallery, I spied lots of intriguing works by grown-up, professional artists too. Some dense, some light. Some neutral, some bright. Some abstract, some traditional. A lovely variety, really, that leaves me eager to return again to explore the full measure of the gallery’s offerings.

— Lynn

Note: Click here to learn more about New Way Academy and ways you can support their work with students facing dyslexia, AD/HD and other learning challenges.

Coming up: Art classes for children and teens