When you rush through a museum, everything can start seeming like a non-descript blur. Oftentimes, you’ll have a better experience by spending more time with fewer pieces – instead of speeding by in an effort to see (or at least glance at) every single item.
In this spirit, Phoenix Art Museum introduced their “Slow Art” events. Pre-Pandemic, I believe this was an option you could choose instead of a gallery tour on certain days. People would gather around a specific work of art and a docent would talk about just that piece.
I’m more familiar with the program’s COVID-safe incarnation as a monthly Zoom meditation. You may have seen this as a “join in from anywhere” item on our Happenings List.
I attended one of these a couple months ago. It focused on the work of Colombian artist Oscar Muñoz, whose Invisibilia exhibition is currently on display at the museum.
You slow down, settle in, and take deep breaths. Phoenix art educators guide you in examining the work.
We looked at several of Muñoz’s self portraits, as a series and individually. The docents explained his unusual artmaking processes and shared how you could see some of them on display at the museum. The pace of the presentation was measured, allowing plenty of time for questions and contemplation.
It was a refreshing way to calm my mind and reset, while also learning about an artist and his process!
The next session is Thursday, December 23 at noon (Arizona time). RSVP is required, and the cost is just pay-what-you-can.
The Oscar Muñoz: Invisibilia exhibition is on display at Phoenix Art Museum in the Katz Wing for Modern Art through January 16, 2022.
There are lots of great things coming up over the next couple months! The in-person holiday Happenings I’ve listed this time are in Arizona. However, I’ve also highlighted ways you can join in from ANYWHERE!
I’m especially excited about upcoming holiday markets, so I gave them their own section. If you’re looking for craft fairs and artist pop-ups, scroll on down to the “Holiday Market” section. It’s an excellent year to shop early and shop local!
Festive printable envelopes by Amy Christie of This Heart of Mine.
Goodies
Throughout the List, I’ve asterisked (*) goodies. These are free or discounted extras inspired by the places and events on the List, like shop sales or a map of nearby trails. (Unintentional rhyme!)
Although some goodies are specific to a particular activity (like free parking for the Arizona History Museum), there are others you can enjoy without being there in person (like free digital puzzles with images from Arizona History Museum collections).
In fact, here are a couple seasonal goodies to kick things off!
Ready to Launch: Arizona’s Place in Space now – Nov 30 / Arizona History Museum, Tucson / Admission $10, Youth (ages 7-13) $5
Exhibition investigating the impact that the people, landscape, and universities in Arizona have had in space exploration.
*Free validated parking at the Main Gate Garage (815 E. 2nd Street).
*ANYWHERE:Digital jigsaw puzzles of postcards and other images from the Arizona Historical Society archives.
Altar for All Souls Day in progress during Tucson Meet Yourself 2019.
All Souls Procession Weekend Nov 5-7 / Tucson
A weekend of events to deepen your connection to the community, leading up to a two-mile long procession to both celebrate and mourn of the lives of our loved ones and ancestors.
Luz de Vida II Benefit Concert / Nov 6 / Tickets start at $25 + proceeds support Homicide Survivors, Inc.
Procession and Ceremony / Nov 7, 6-9pm / Free. (Donations accepted.)
Art in Unexpected Places Festival Nov 5-7 / Kierland Commons and The Westin Kierland Resort + Spa, Scottsdale
3 days of immersive experiences, including a community art festival, 5K run/walk, and arts + crafts marketplace.
Beginner Embroidery: Pay-What-You-Can Community Class Nov 6, 12pm / Good Things Tucson Studio, Tucson / Free. (Donations accepted.)
Learn 8 basic stitches and other embroidery fundamentals. Then use what you’ve learned to embroider a simple desert-themed pattern onto a baseball cap.
Bring your own canvas baseball cap to embroider or purchase one supplied by a local shop, Mi Reina Boutique, for $10.
Donations to cover the cost of supplies are welcome but not required.
Phillip and Quijote walking in a picnic area at Catalina State Park.
Music in the Mountains Concert Series Nov 6 – Dec 18 / Catalina State Park, Tucson / Included with Park admission ($7/vehicle).
Outdoor performances by local musicians on stage in a Catalina State Park picnic area.
*Save on admission to Arizona State Parks with a standard ($75) or premium ($200) annual pass.
Lunchtime Virtual Lecture: On the Front Lines of Arizona Weather: Blizzards, Fires, and Floods Nov 8, 12:15pm / ANYWHERE (via Zoom) / Free.
From Riordan Mansion State Historic Park, Dr. Brian Klimowski, Meteorologist in Charge for the Flagstaff National Weather Service office, will talk about wild weather in Northern Arizona, including some of the incredible storms of the past couple years, the current “megadrought,” climate change, and what the NWS is doing to help us all prepare for high-impact weather events.
Loft Film Fest Nov 10 – Nov 18 / The Loft Cinema, Tucson
Eight-day showcase of independent, foreign and classic cinema. Film fans can experience hand-selected festival favorites from Cannes, Sundance, SXSW, etc. and meet internationally-renowned artists from the world of independent cinema.
The 2021 festival will be 100% in person, with all screenings and special events taking place in The Loft Cinema’s Screen 1 and in the Open Air Cinema.
Select screenings will also feature live or pre-recorded virtual interviews with filmmakers.
Phoenix Pizza Festival Nov 13-14 / Margaret T. Hance Park, Phoenix / Tickets $12 (advance purchase only), free for kids under 5.
Festival of pizza makers selling $2-4 slices. Plus live bands, lawn games, local vendors, and a kids’ zone.
Arizona Wilderness Brewery will offer local craft brews. Wine, soda, water, lemonade, and other beverages will be available, too. (Cash only.)
Whiskey Del Bac Ten-Year Anniversary Celebration Nov 13, 4:30 pm / Westbound, Tucson / Free
Tucson-based Whisky Del Bac is celebrating 10 years of crafting their mesquite-smoked whisky. The party will be open to the public with cocktails, special Private Barrel releases, a Del Bac farmer’s market, limited edition merchandise, music and food.
*ANYWHERE IN ARIZONA: Free shipping when you purchase two or more bottles from Whiskey Del Bac directly.
Photo via Southern Arizona Arts + Cultural Alliance (SAACA).
Sahuarita Chalk Art Festival Nov 13, 10am-3pm / Sahuarita Lake Park / Free.
In one day, a collection of chalk artists will transform park pavement into colorful works of art. Attendees can watch professional artists create stunning murals or create their own masterpiece.
Slider Throwdown Nov 14 / High Street, Phoenix / $40 admission
Food truck battle to see who makes the best slider! There will also be music by Josh West Trio and a silent auction. The event raises money for the Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation (AFFCF). Admission includes samples of all sliders, one (non-alcoholic) drink coupon, one lemonade coupon, one frozen yogurt coupon, and one People’s Choice vote.
Concert at Marana Tree Lighting Festival. Photo via Town of Marana.
Marana Holiday Festival & Christmas Tree Lighting Dec 4, 3-8pm / Town of Marana
This year’s festivities in Downtown Marana include the lighting of a 25-foot Christmas tree with synchronized music and dancing lights, live holiday music performances, activities for kids, a holiday market, and more than 40 food trucks.
3pm: Beginning of performances (local musicians, youth choirs and dance troupes)
6pm: Christmas tree lighting and show.
Kids’ activities include a make-and-take ornament station, foam snow dance party, bounce zone, kiddie train, and visits with Santa.
Slow Art Dec 23 / ANYWHERE (Zoom) / Pay what you wish.
Spend some extra time with Phoenix Art Museum pieces during meditation sessions lead by museum educators and mindfulness guides.
RSVP required.
SN: I participated in one of these a couple months ago. It was a refreshing way to calm my mind and reset, while also learning about an artist and his process!
Good Stuff Pop-up Nov 7, 10am-2pm / 2734 E. Exeter St., Tucson / Free admission.
A micro art market in a Broodmoor neighborhood backyard with just seven select vendors, organized by Tawney Weir (Little Toro Designs) and Lex Gjurasic.
*Free mimosas!
La Encantada Fine Art Market Nov 20-21 / La Encantada Shopping Center, Tucson, AZ / Free admission.
The open-air La Encantada Fine Art Market is an opportunity to support local artisans and fine art crafters creating metalwork, locally-designed fashion, sculptural pieces made from fallen old-growth trees, art glass, and paintings on canvas.
*Free parking is available at La Encantada Shopping Center. When the lot is full, attendees can park at the Plaza Colonial Shopping Center (Campbell Ave and Skyline).
Dogs on leashes are allowed.
Their next market will be Jan. 29-30, 2022.
Early Bird Makers Market Nov 20, 9am-3pm / The Shops at Town + Country, Phoenix / Free admission.
Pop-up market by Local Trade AZ, featuring over 120 local makers with one-of-kind art, jewelry, furniture, decor, clothing, food, and health and beauty products.
Crafeteria Nov 27, Dec 4, Dec 11, Dec 18 / behind Frances Boutique, Phoenix
Award-winning independent craft fair with local handmade original work, as well as live music and food vendors. This year, instead of a single evening event, Crafeteria will be held on 4 Saturdays.
*ANYWHERE IN THE U.S.: You can shop online yearround at Frances, the boutique that hosts Crafeteria. They offer free gift wrapping and free shipping on orders of $50 or more!
Made in Tucson Market Nov 28, 10am-5pm / Historic Fourth Avenue District, Tucson
Outdoor market of local + handmade goods on 4th Ave. in Downtown Tucson.
Desert Air Market
Dec 4, 10-4pm / 6th Ave. + 6th St., Tucson
Reoccurring popup market created and run by local makers + artists.
Fourth Avenue (sans fair)
Fourth Avenue Winter Street Fair Dec 10-12 / 5 blocks of Fourth Avenue
51-year-old fair that hosts artists from around the world, local entertainment, and food! Funds are used to support the Avenue’s infrastructure and events.
*Free shuttle service from the Pennington Street Garage and the Tyndal Avenue Garage.
You can also park along the streetcar line + take Sun Link in.
No pets.
Winter Art Market Dec 11-12 / Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA), Flagstaff / Free admission.
Come admire, browse, and bring home some of the diverse arts created on the Colorado Plateau, from traditional weavings to contemporary paintings, as well as unique cards and gifts.
Annual Holiday Bazaar Dec 17-19 / Mercado San Agustin, MSA Annex and on Avenida del Convento, Tucson
Local artists, artisans, and makers will be selling their wares at Mercado San Agustin, MSA Annex, and down Avenida del Convento.
Vendor applications are due by December 1.
Happenings on this list are handpicked by me. List items are not ads – just stuff that sounded neat!
Smithsonian magazine has an annual tradition of celebrating Museum Day, and many museums across the U.S. join in by offering free admission that day.
Visitor center for Smithsonian museums in D.C.
I had planned to tell you – before Museum Day – about a few participating museums I’ve visited in the past. But life is weird right now and I’ve pretty much lost all sense of time, so September 18 came and went before I realized I hadn’t posted this yet. I’m still going to tell you about those museums, though. There’s one in Indiana, one in Washington, and five in Arizona. While I posted a similar list ahead of Museum Day a couple years ago, a lot of those museums weren’t participating this year. So, on to the new list!
2 Museums I’ve Visited While Traveling
Mike Pace, interpreter and specialist on Lenape life and culture. Photo via Conner Prairie.
This is a living history museum that I loved visiting as a kid! I remember candle-dipping demonstrations and sitting in on a lesson in an old-timey one-room schoolhouse. They’ve added a lot of things since the last time I was there (many years ago), like make-and-take craft activities, a balloon ride, and the Lenape Indian Camp, which explores what life was like for members of the Lenape (a.k.a. Delaware) tribe in 1816 Indiana.
Regular admission $20/adults, $15/youth (ages 2-12). $2 off when you purchase tickets online.
Closed Mondays.
Storytelling series: Thursday – Sunday evenings, September 16 – October 2. Hear about Indiana’s early history from expert storytellers, including former assistant chief of the Lenape tribe Mike Pace, who helped create the Lenape Indian Camp experience. Separate admission required for the event series: $10/adult, $6/youth.
Prairie Pursuits: various dates. Workshops on traditional skills for teens and adults. Upcoming class topics include blacksmithing, woodworking, cooking, and pottery.
Detail of “If VI Was IX: Roots and Branches” guitar sculpture, Museum of Pop Culture, Seattle.
The museum formerly known as the Experience Music Project (EMP) has an atrium devoted to constantly-playing music videos (“Sky Church”), a towering guitar sculpture (“If VI Was IX: Roots and Branches”), and galleries for Seattle legends like Jimi Hendrix and Nirvana, as well as exhibitions on sci-fi, video games, and fantasy genre archetypes. Housed within a striking building designed by Frank O. Gehry, MoPOP is located at Seattle Center, near the Space Needle.
Admission prices vary, depending on factors like when you’re going and how far in advance you purchase tickets.
An eclectic history of life in Arizona. On display are objects as varied as vintage vehicles, rock and mineral samples, maps, and re-creations of notable Arizonans’ homes and offices. There’s a new temporary exhibition (“Still Marching: From Suffrage to #MeToo”) on how Arizona women have worked to drive social change over the past century.
The permanent collection is grouped into themed rooms, like…
The People: Not only will you learn about the diverse groups that populated the Old West, but you can also read testimonies of people who saw the Phoenix Lights in 1997 and either did or didn’t believe they were UFOs.
WWII: Takes you inside a military barracks, Japanese internment camp, and a POW camp. Dark corners that should not be forgotten.
Desert Cities: Probably the most nostalgia-inducing area for those of us who grew up in Arizona, It focuses on the cultural changes in the Phoenix metro area during its post-WWII boom and includes an exhibit on local children’s t.v. show Wallace and Lladmo and an iconic statue from Bob’s Big Boy restaurant chain.
30,000 square feet of exhibition space devoted to the history of combat aircraft, plus a working maintenance hangar and active aircraft ramp. Located at Falcon Field Airport in Mesa, this is my pick for enthusiasts of old military planes and memorabilia. In other words, if you’re my grandpa, this is the museum for you!
The Mesa Historical Museum is housed in what was originally a school, built in 1913 in the very oldest part of the City of Mesa as we now know it. There is a replica of the one-room adobe schoolhouse that came before it, antique farm equipment and other artifacts from the area, and a couple rotating exhibits.
SMoCA is an art and event space with a permanent collection and exhibitions in the areas of contemporary art, architecture, and design. It’s part of Scottsdale Civic Center, along with Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, City Hall, Civic Center Library, and a bunch of restaurants and bars centered around a 21-acre park.
Closed Mondays, Tuesdays, and major holidays.
Regular admission is $10/adults, free for anyone 18 and younger.
Pay-What-You-Wish admission on Thursdays and the second Saturday of each month.
Timed-entry reservations are now required for all admissions – even free tickets.
As the fall weather approaches, so does Arizona’s festival/getting-outside season. And it’s great to see how many events are re-emerging after being on hold last year!
Tucson Meet Yourself 2019.
A few things to know about this season’s Happenings List:
Goodies: Free and discounted extras are asterisked (*).
now – Sep 30 / Tubac Presidio State Historic Park and Museum, Tubac / Included with admission: $7, Youth (7-13): $2
Exhibition of works in diverse media – printmaking, painting, photography, glass art – inspired by Arizona’s magnificent night sky. A percentage of artwork sales will benefit the Presidio, which was the first State Park in Arizona.
now – Oct / next to the General Store, Summerhaven / Free admission.
Outdoor market with local artisan vendors in Summerhaven on Mt. Lemmon (north of Tucson), Saturdays and Sundays through October.
SN: We stopped by the market this past weekend. There were maybe 15 booths with all kinds of unique gifty things – woodworking, jewelry, candles, photography, etc. Plus, a coffee and kettle corn food truck that smelled delicious!
Art workshops in preparation for All Souls Procession Weekend (11/5-11/7) happen throughout September and October. Details are still being finalized for several of these, so watch their site and Facebook page for details.
Mask and Puppetry Craft with Red Herring Puppet Company: Oct 3, 10, 17, 24 at MSA Annex.
Broken Heart Workshop with Nadia Hagen at East Hive Tucson (schedule TBA). A crafty experiential opportunity to grapple with heartfelt emotions while getting your hands dirty.
OBON Drum and Dance Workshops with Odaiko Sonora by Rhythm Industry (schedule TBA). Learn the traditional Japanese arts of dance, drumming, and chant.
ANYWHERE: You can participate in the Ancestors Project by submitting a photo of a loved one you wish to be memorialized during the Finale Ceremony of the Procession.
A week (plus) when Tucson-area restaurants offer special prix fixe menus for $25 or $35. This year 50 locally-owned eateries are participating!
Sonoran Sip Room: Sep 9-11 + 16-18 in the Hotel Congress. Pop-up tasting lounge with a rotating selection of regional wines, agave spirits, and local craft beer.
Part of the proceeds benefit San Xavier Co-op Farm, which is a cooperative of Tohono O’odham landowners committed to using healthy farming practices to grow traditional crops.
Guided walk through the garden to see and taste edible weeds, followed by a presentation on incorporating these healthy (and free) plants into your diet.
Samples of mallow chips and purslane pickles will be provided.
Many U.S. museums are offering free admission on September 18, as part of Smithsonian magazine’s Museum Day. You need to reserve tickets in advance by choosing a participating museum from the list on their site, and then hit the “get a ticket” button to sign up with your email address. You’ll receive free general admission (good for 2 people)!
While admission is free, museums may have a place for optional donations.
Some of my previous picks aren’t participating this year, so watch for an updated list!
Festival that screens independent films in unconventional locations throughout the mountainside ghost town of Jerome. Past venues have included a train, a haunted gold mine, wineries, hilltop residences, and the basement hallway of a hundred year-old high school.
*Jerome’s Haunted Hamburger has nightly specials from 5-9pm, including $2 margaritas on Mondays and half-price burgers on Wednesdays.
“The Green Snake” painting by Joe Jones. Taken during Arts + Flowers at Phoenix Art Museum.
Oct 2 – Oct 3 / Oro Valley Marketplace, Oro Valley / Free admission + parking.
Outdoor market with a curated selection of artisan fashion, food, home goods, and visual art sold directly by local makers. Entertainment will include pop-up music performances and grab-and-go art activities.
Food trucks.
Dogs on leashes are allowed!
ANYWHERE: Follow the market’s featured artists and visit their online shops.
Oct 8 – Oct 10 / Jacome Plaza, Tucson / Free admission.
Annual celebration of the folk arts of the Sonoran region. It features artisans, home cooks, dancers, musicians and special exhibits from Southern Arizona and Northern Mexico. This year’s “Reconnect” themed event will be slightly smaller and centered on education.
Oct 9 – Oct 10 / Patagonia Town Park, Patagonia / Free admission.
Formerly known as the Patagonia Fall Festival, the 2021 market will focus on bolstering small businesses, wineries, shops, and restaurants throughout the entire Sky Islands region (particularly the communities of Patagonia, Sonoita, and Elgin). While capacity will be reduced, there will still be up to 90 artisans, food vendors, and exhibitors, as well as live music, entertainment, and an animal experience with Double G Alpacas.
With all the conversation around rethinking work in a post-lockdown world, I’d like to add an item to the collective agenda: the siesta. Let’s not miss this opportunity to restructure our schedules around not having to go anywhere when it’s really hot!
Summer events where things stay open later to take advantage of cool evening temps are a good start. There are a couple of those on this season’s Happenings List.
You’ll also find….
Sculpture exhibitions: from large-scale outdoor works to some so small they literally fit on the head of a pin.
Unusual ways to appreciate nature: from the night sky to the desert flora and fauna.
Events you can experience from anywhere, in addition to the ones you can go to in person here in Southern Arizona.
I’ve also asterisked goodies that go along with some of the events. Have fun!
left: “Desert Monsoon Mobile” by Ashley Ambrosio / right: “Flask + Cup” by Jennifer Lowell / photos via THIRST
Sale of artwork contributed by artists from all over the country. Proceeds are split between the artists and two organizations supplying humanitarian aid in the desert, Casa Alitas and No More Deaths/No Mas Muertes.
H/T Spring + Vine, whose beautiful Desert Monsoon Mobile has already sold, but there are still lots of great pieces available!
“Chiva Bus” by Flor Carvajal / photo via Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures
now – Jul 4 / Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, Tucson / free
Inaugural exhibition of SculptureTucson’s Sculpture Park! It currently features 20 large-scale works on two acres in the northwest corner of Brandi Fenton Park (across River Rd. from the Visitors Center).
Hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 12pm to 5pm – or whenever the gates are open.
SN: Phillip, Quijote, and I stopped by the other night around 6pm, and the gate was ajar. We practically had the place to ourselves! The evening light was beautiful. However, it seemed like a lot of the sculptures were facing east, so a morning visit might be better if you’re planning to take photos.
*Not nocturnal? Here’s a daytime deal: $3/person admission on 6/22 + 6/29! Purchase $3 Tuesday Tickets at the gate. (Safari Nights are not included. Regular 8am-2pm visits only.)
Fuss + Frills by Maria Cazzato / photo via UA Museum of Art site
Annual exhibition of work by high school artists from across Pima County, selected by local teachers. Artwork in this show was created during the 2020-2021 school year.
*The free Carnegiea webzine also featured a couple of the students’ work in their Winter edition.
now – Sep 30 / Tubac Presidio State Historic Park and Museum, Tubac / Included with admission: $7, Youth (7-13): $2
Exhibition of works in diverse media – printmaking, painting, photography, glass art – all inspired by Arizona’s magnificent night sky. A percentage of artwork sales will benefit the Presidio, which was the first State Park in Arizona.
New exhibition investigating the impact that the people, landscape, and universities in Arizona have had in space exploration.
*Free validated parking at the Main Gate Garage (815 E. 2nd Street).
*The K-2 Museum in a Box curriculum, an online collection of lesson plans and activities that uses primary sources from the Arizona Historical Society’s collections, is free for educators until June 30, 2021.
Walk through mesquite bosques with local mesquite expert, Martha Muffin. Learn about the natural history of mesquite, its nutritional value, how to select pods to harvest, and how to store them. You’ll also receive mesquite recipes and informational resources.
Space is limited.
Sign up is required. Email Denisse Ortega Lorona at dortega(@)borderlandsrestoration.org.
Jun 22 / Appleton-Whittell research station, Elgin
Agave planting with Borderlands Restoration Network staff and Bat Conservation International in celebration of National Pollinator Week.
Space is limited to 20 participants.
Email horticulture(@)borderlandsrestoration.org to sign up.
*Recipe: “Batman of Mexico” is both the nickname of Dr. Rodrigo Medellín, co-founder of the Bat Friendly Tequila and Mezcal Project, and a cocktail named for him.
Happenings on this list are handpicked by me. It’s not an ad – just some good things I wanted to share!
Manage Cookie Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
The permanent collection is grouped into themed rooms, like…
