First Friday's at the Phoenix Art Museum

“Art is something that makes you breathe with a different kind of happiness” – Anni Albers.

Black Cloud by Carlos Amorales

The Phoenix Art Museum is an “expansive collection of acclaimed art spanning from the Renaissance era to the present” according to Google Maps. It has been around for about 60 years and continues to give visitors visual and education experiences (1). It is the largest museum in the United States South West (1). There are various exhibits displayed throughout the museum, some being seasonal and others being permanent residents. The galleries span from modern and contemporary art to fashion exhibitions to showcasing regional pieces (1). My personal favorite is the wall of butterflies, Black Cloud by Carlos Amorales, when you enter the museum (4). The Phoenix Art Museum is closed on Mondays, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and open 12 to 5 p.m. on Sundays (1).

But this post is not about the average museum dates and rates. This post is about the special event that the Phoenix Art Museum offers once a month, better known as First Friday. On the first of the month, from 6-10 p.m., the Phoenix Art Museum has free general admission and discounted special exhibits admission (2)! I have partaken in First Friday twice during my time at ASU and let me say it never disappoints. The museum is large enough that there is always something new to notice, but small enough that you don’t need to spend hours to go through it all. Currently offered at First Friday, there is Edward Burtyunsky’s WATER exhibition, which costs a discounted $5 to enter, and photographs by David Taylor titled Here and Abroad (2). There is also a special performance at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. by three Carnatic musicians and two local jazz musicians (2). There is also poetry reading at 7 p.m. (2). And, of course, the general portion of the museum to explore. To check back for current updates, click here.

According to Google Maps, the Phoenix Art Museum is approximately 11 miles from the ASU Tempe Campus, making it about a 15-minute drive. There are several options to get to downtown Phoenix. If you are able to drive yourself, there is paid parking for $10 at the Central United Methodist Church from 5-10pm (2). There is also free overflow parking across the street at Central Plaza (2). The Phoenix Art Museum is also conveniently located next to the Valley Metro Lightrail station at Central and McDowell (2). In my experience with taking the lightrail downtown, it was only $3 roundtrip and I hopped on at the Veterans Way and College Ave location. If you are really looking for a penny saver, take the ASU Campus Shuttle. The Maroon route goes from the Tempe campus at Forest Ave and Lemon St to Downtown campus at Central Ave (3). The shuttle departs approximately every 15 minutes and takes about 30 minutes to travel to its destination (3). Weekday service is Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. (3). Keep in mind when getting off the shuttle downtown that the Phoenix Art Museum is still about a 20-minute walk away. For more ASU shuttle information click here.

“A simple line painted with the brush can lead to freedom and happiness” -Joan Miro.