Art and Culture in Central Phoenix

By Liz Martin

This week the Central Phoenix one n ten group took a field trip to the Phoenix Art Museum. Every Wednesday night the Phoenix Art Museum is open for free admission (or voluntary donation) from 3pm – 9pm. They currently have five special exhibits on display, including Frank Lloyd Wright: Organic Architecture for the 21st Century, Sacred Word and Image: Five World Religions, Seeing Is Believing: Rebecca Campbell and Angela Ellsworth, Iconic Arizona: Celebrating the Arizona Centennial with Photographs from the Center for Creative Photography and fashion designs from Giorgio di Sant’ Angelo in the Ellman Fashion Design Gallery.

The evening began with approximately 50 youth and a handful of volunteers gathering on the art museum steps. The excitement in the air was palpable. Once released in to the museum the youth and volunteers were free to peruse the exhibits at their own pace. Many headed first in to the Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit, which highlights much of his work and includes architectural drawings for some of his most famous buildings such as Taliesin and Taliesin West.

Throughout the rest of the evening groups of one n ten youth and volunteers wandered throughout the museum to explore all of the exhibits, including some of the permanent collection. One of the most popular exhibits among youth and volunteers alike was an installation piece called You Who are Getting Obliterated in the Dancing Swarm of Fireflies. The exhibit consists of a room created out of mirrored walls with strands of LED lights hung throughout. It stimulates the senses and confuses perception, as, once in the room, it is difficult to tell how large the space is or how close to a wall you are.

The one n ten art adventure concluded at 9 o’clock. The youth and volunteers had a great time discovering the museum and experiencing art. The evening was a success and everyone left with smiling faces.