WEST—Arizona Artists of Color exhibition

Scottsdale Arts is committed to enlarging the conversation of what artistic statements of "the West" can be beyond traditional depictions of western art. Juried in consultation with esteemed artist Joe Willie Smith, this exhibition of Arizona artists of color captures the West’s spirit through the artists’ bold creative expressions, showing their experience and what it’s like to live here now in this pivotal time. Their voices are an important part of Arizona’s past, present, and future.

Jan 10 - Mar 2, 2021

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WEST—Arizona Artists of Color aims to show the West as these artists know it—with a rich cultural history. Their work in Arizona shows the universal need to belong, to be accepted, and to be seen, as well as shedding light on the struggle to make social connections and understand one another. The artists in this exhibition express their solidarity with the human condition and the need to be free of prejudice and injustice.

This exhibition combines the talents of some well-recognized names along with emerging artists, who are equally challenged to have their work exhibited. We are pleased to present the work of the following artists: Clendolyn Corbin, Gloria Martinez-Granados, Eugene Grigsby, Annie Lopez, Stephen Marc, Hugo Medina, Sebastiao Pereira, Joe Ray, Safwat Saleem, Sonny Sholola, Joe Willie Smith, Ani Tung, Claire A. Warden, RIP Woods, Frank Ybarra, and Bernard Young.

WEST—Arizona Artists of Color is on view through March 2 at the Civic Center Public Gallery inside the Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N Drinkwater Blvd, Scottsdale AZ 85252. Click here for library hours.

Opening Reception

Join Phoenix artist Joe Willie Smith and Wendy Raisanen, curator of collections and exhibitions for Scottsdale Public Art—the co-curators of WEST—Arizona Artists of Color—on Friday, February 19, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. for a virtual art reception as they chat with some of the featured artists from the exhibition. The virtual exhibition will be hosted on Zoom.

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