In any city or town, there is always at least one place that everyone agrees has to be visited or bust. For Tucson, that memorable place is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. When one tours this history-laden museum, he or she gains a strong sense of connection to the rich Native American and Mexican history in which the city of Tucson grew up. Tucson has been able to maintain much of its culture through daily activity and décor, but the museum brings out what modernization left behind.
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is the only museum in the world where a visitor can walk out of the museum doors and straight into a world-famous zoo, showcasing animals that are local to the area such as snakes and lizards. There are also botanical gardens on the museum grounds that are second to none. No matter what your interest, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum has something for everyone.
Saturday evenings during the summer are very special as the museum staff dimly lights trails leading into the desert for the curious to observe the desert wildlife in its native habitat. Special precaution is made to ensure the safety of all patrons. When the desert is in bloom, there is a plethora of animals, insects, and vegetation that can be found nowhere else in the country.
Enrich your life with art. The following is a select list of galleries in Tucson and Southern Arizona whose holdings run the gamut from painting and sculpture to glasswork and ceramics. Call ahead for hours of operation and specific exhibit schedules.
Tucson Galleries & Museums
Arizona State Museum
1013 E. University Blvd., 520-621-6302
The oldest and largest anthropology museum in the Southwest. With an emphasis on Native American cultures, the collection includes works in photography, mixed media, painting, and carving.
The Art Company
in Berkshire Village, 2926 E. Broadway Blvd., 520-881-1311
Representing local artists including Kati Roberts, Victor Stevens, Kevin Anderson, Sarah Schmerl, and Barbara Lent-Palmer, as well as international artists such as Govinder, Joy Kirton-Smith, Mark Spain, Nel Whatmore, Rajinder, and Jennine Parker. Features limited-edition and openedition prints and original paintings.
Arts Partnership Gallery
125 S. Arizona Ave., 520-624-9977. A display of works by more than 30 juried, emerging artists. Regional and international artists present works that include oil paintings, acrylics, charcoal drawings, sculpture, and photographic arts. The gallery works in collaboration with the Tucson Arts District Partnership.
Bahti Indian Arts
4280 N. Campbell Ave., Ste. 100 520-577-0290
Opened in 1952 by Tom Bahti and now run by his son, the gallery houses textiles, jewelry, carved fetishes, pottery, baskets, sculptures, and paintings from several tribes. Featuring Hopi jeweler Charles Loloma, Navajo artist Emmi Whitehouse, Seri basketmaker Nori Molina, and Alutiiq carver Jerry Laktonen.
Butterfly Gallery & Gifts
2843 N. Campbell Ave., 520-325-0585
This gallery features jewelry, oil paintings, watercolors, scratch art, and sculpture by more than 30 local artists, including Peter Chope, Patrice Plank, and Martine Dupuch. It also offers a variety of art classes, from pencil drawing and oil on canvas to clay sculpture.
Center for Creative Photography
at the University of Arizona, 1030 N. Olive Rd., 520-621-7968
In addition to its rotating exhibits, this museum on the U of A campus also contains a research center and archives. The center holds more individual works by 20th-century North American photographers than any other museum in the country.
Conrad Wilde Gallery
210 N. 4th Ave., 520-820-6410
Features rotating exhibits of contemporary sculpture, painting, and works on paper.
Covington Fine Arts Gallery Inc.
6530 E. Tanque Verde Rd., Ste. 140, 520-298-7878
Gallery specializes in 19th- and early-20th-century American and European paintings, watercolors, and prints. All art is from 1950 and earlier. Includes some sculpture and Western art.
Davis Dominguez Gallery
154 E. 6th St., 520-629-9759
This contemporary gallery, representing established Tucson artists for 30 years, is located in a fully restored 5,000-square foot warehouse in the Arts District. It features bi-monthly exhibitions of major paintings and sculptures.
DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun
6300 N. Swan Rd., 520-299-9191
Features original art by the late Arizona artist Ted DeGrazia. Oil paintings, lithographs, etchings, stereographs, bronzes, pastels, and more are displayed in the gallery that DeGrazia designed and built on 10 acres of land in the 1960s.
Desert Artisans’ Gallery
in La Plaza Shoppes, 6536 E. Tanque Verde Rd., 520-882-3651
A cooperative gallery featuring selected works by 30 award-winning artists offering contemporary and traditional art in a variety of mediums, including painting, photography, blown glass, and ceramics.
Details Art & Design Gallery
in Gallery Row at El Cortijo, 3001 E. Skyline Dr., 520-577-1995. A gallery of contemporary craft, specializing in original items for interiors and exteriors.
Dinnerware Contemporary Arts
210 N. 4th Ave., 520-792-4503
A nonprofit gallery committed to promoting and advocating contemporary visual arts in order to further Tucson’s cultural development. Features paintings, mixed-media works, photography, and more.
The Drawing Studio
214 N. 4th Ave., 520-620-0947
A visual arts cooperative founded by noted artist and art educator Andrew Rush. Featuring a year-round schedule of exhibitions by students, associates, faculty, and nationally recognized guest artists in a variety of 2-D and 3-D mediums.
El Presidio Gallery
in Gallery Row at El Cortijo, 3001 E. Skyline Dr., 520-299-1414
A 6,000-square-foot gallery with diverse art in all mediums by 85 artists, including desert landscape paintings by Susanne Nyberg, Native American-themed paintings by Cheryl English, and Western art by Sherry Blanchard Stuart.
Eric Firestone Gallery
in Joesler Village, 4425 N. Campbell Ave., 520-577-7711
This gallery specializes in early Arizona and regional paintings, along with pieces from the American Arts and Crafts movement. Includes furniture, paintings, pottery, prints, metalworks, and sculpture.
Etherton Gallery
135 S. 6th Ave., 520-624-7370
Vintage and contemporary photography and prints, as well as paintings, sculpture, and mixed-media works. Features work by artists Aaron Siskind, Danny Lyon, and Ansel Adams.
Fala Gallery
439 N. 6th Ave., Ste. 189B, 520-628-4183
A contemporary gallery featuring fine art, studio crafts, and modern design. Exhibits work by nationally and internationally renowned artists, including studio furniture by Scott Baker and ceramics by John Glick and Neville French.
Fire Ranch Glassworks & Gallery
4280 E. Hauser St., 520-818-2239
Fire Ranch Glassworks creates original glass art, including botanical sculptures, vases, urns, and Venetian eggs. Features work by owners and artists Rich Hornby and Linda Allyn, as well as the work of other glass artists.
Galeria La Sirena
2905 E. Broadway Blvd., 520-319-1262
Original art from Latin America and the Caribbean, including Haiti, Panama, Bolivia, Peru, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico. Oils, acrylics, mixed-media pieces, metal sculpture, pottery, folk art, and home accents are available.
Galeria Mistica
2318 S. 4th Ave., 520-622-8000
South Tucson’s first fine art gallery, featuring representational and contemporary works. Original paintings and giclée prints by Arizona artists Michael Cunningham, John Watt, Joan Fimbel DiGiovanni, and Kathleen Matsinger. Also showing bronzes by Eleanor Brown and paintings from Ramses Noriega.
The Gallery at 6th & 6th
439 N. 6th Ave., 520-903-0650
Specializing in modern and contemporary art from the 1940s through today. Rotating exhibits include abstract expressionist artists Ulfert Wilke and Michio Takayama, the watercolors of Bohdan Ocsyczka, and local sculptor Curt Brill.
Gallery West Fine American Indian Art
6420 N. Campbell Ave., 520-529-7002
Features Native American art, antiques, paintings, blankets, beadwork, jewelry, and kachinas. Includes work by Hopi artist Neil David and jewelry by Terry Shorty.
Grey Dog Trading Co.
2970 N. Swan Rd., Ste. 138, 881-6888, 877-331-7367
Native American arts & crafts from North America with an emphasis on works from the Hopi, Zuni, Navajo, Santa Clara, and Santo Domingo tribes. Includes kachina dolls, fetish carvings, pottery, jewelry, and rugs.
Jane Hamilton Fine Art
in Joesler Village, 1825 E. River Rd., Ste. 111, 520-529-4886, 800-555-3051
An eclectic mix of traditional, contemporary, Southwestern, and whimsical art, including Americana. Features oil landscapes by Tom Murray, copper wall sculptures by Joseph Birdsong, and acrylic and pastel pieces by Diane Barbee.
Lynn Rae Lowe Metal Arts Gallery
3326 N. Dodge Blvd., 520-299-7900
Studio and gallery of local artist Lynn Rae Lowe. Gallery features prints as well as handpainted metalwork, garden art, furniture, sculpture, and wall art.
Madaras Gallery
1535 E. Broadway Blvd., 520-623-4000, and in Gallery Row at El Cortijo, 3001 E. Skyline Dr., Ste. 101, 520-615-3001
Galleries contain work by local watercolor artist Diana Madaras, who specializes in contemporary art with an emphasis on Southwestern scenes. Originals, prints, and reproductions on canvas, as well as fine-art gifts.
Mardon Frost
in Plaza Palomino, 2960 N. Swan Rd., 520-323-6947
Fine art, folk art, furniture, and more. Represented artists include Argelia Breceda, Oliver Cohen, Jenny Foster, Carol Ruff Franza, Harris Gulko, Zoe Hale, Don Ham, Ron Head, Peta Kaplan, Allan Mardon, Keith Schreiber, Kelley Smith, Penny Benjamin Peterson, and Kara Young.
Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery
7000 Tanque Verde Rd., 520-722-7798, 800-422-9382
Features a diverse collection ranging from historic Indian art to contemporary sculpture by deceased and living artists. Painting, jewelry, pottery, Navajo rugs, and other Southwestern art, including pieces by Maynard Dixon, Ed Mell, and Howard Post.
The Max Gallery
in Gallery Row at El Cortijo, 3001 E. Skyline Dr., Ste. 127, 520-529-7349
Diverse gallery with a focus on Southwestern art, including watercolor, oil, and acrylic paintings; furniture; jewelry; sculpture; and ceramics. Works by Phil Beck, Bill Moomey, and Joan M. LaRue.
Morning Star Traders & Antiques
2020 E. Speedway Blvd., 520-881-2112
Specializing in Native American arts including jewelry, rugs, baskets, pottery, and fetishes. Also features works by Edison Cummings, Wilson Jim, and Bernard Dawahoya along with antique furniture and early Western paintings.
Mountain Shadow Gallery
in Gallery Row at El Cortijo, 3001 E. Skyline Dr., Ste. 109, 520-577-6301
This contemporary gallery specializes in original oil, acrylic, and mixed-media paintings; bronze, wood, and steel sculpture; masks; ceramics; and furniture. Featured artists include Juan Carlos Breceda, Judith D’Agostino, Beckie Kravetz, and Susan Rudd.
Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
191 E. Toole Ave., 520-624-5019
Museum exhibits contemporary avant-garde art from 1970 on, with six to eight temporary exhibitions per year. Features works by international and local artists, as well as educational talks and programs for the public on art within science and literature.
Obsidian Gallery
in St. Philip’s Plaza, 4320 N. Campbell Ave., Ste. 130, 520-577-3598
Contemporary arts & crafts gallery that specializes in studio-art jewelry, pottery, wood, glass, and fiber, as well as mixed-media works. Pieces by Karen Gilbert, Gene Gnida, Sam Stang, and Reiko Ishiyama.
Old Pueblo Frameworks and Gallery
in Joesler Village, 1825 E. River Rd., Ste. 101, 520-529-9677
Contemporary art of diverse mediums shown in a large, contemporary gallery. Featuring acrylic paintings by Michael Ives, acrylic and charcoal landscapes by Sue Jelley, and watercolors by George Turner.
Palice Pavilion Art of the Americas
140 N. Main Ave., 520-624-2333
This permanent collection of the Tucson Museum of Art is housed in a historic adobe residence and features a new exhibit every four months. Collection focuses on the pre-Columbian, Spanish Colonial, Postcolonial, and Latin American cultural traditions as they have changed through the ages.
Paloma Art
4747 E. Sunrise Dr., Ste. 101, 520-577-9224
Specializes in original works by local painters Diana Davis and Cynthia Juliano, as well as monotypes by Jack Eggman. Also features oils, ceramics, and mosaic mirrors, as well as prints by local artists.
Philabaum Glass Gallery
in St. Philip’s Plaza, 4280 N. Campbell Ave., Ste. 105, 520-299-1939
This gallery exclusively shows contemporary art glass by more than 150 artists, with a focus on owner and glass artist Tom Philabaum’s work. In addition, a Featured Artist Exhibition changes periodically.
Platform
439 N. 6th Ave., Ste. 189-A, 520-882-3886
Specializes in progressive and contemporary art ranging in style from representational to abstract, including paintings, mixed media, and photography.
Primitive Arts Gallery
in Broadway Village, 3026 E. Broadway Blvd., 520-326-4852
Antique ethnographic art, including Mexican folk art, Navajo rugs, pre-Columbian pottery and textiles, Colonial religious art, Asian sculpture, Huichol Indian beadwork, Native American jewelry, and varied native arts from around the world.
Raices Taller 222 Art Gallery & Workshop
222 E. 6th St., 520-792-9619, 520-881-5335
A Latino-based, nonprofit cooperative contemporary art gallery in the downtown Tucson Arts District dedicated to showing multiethnic and indigenous art, including work by sculptor John Salgado and painter George Welch. Annual Día de los Muertos celebrations.
Redeemed Art Gallery
801 N. Main Ave., 520-370-1610
This 1880s adobe building houses a gallery with an attached working blacksmith shop and features contemporary sculpture, metalwork, and paintings, along with found-object and hand-forged works by owner Steven Derks, as well as works by Dan Lehman and Dave Hawkins. Demonstrations by appointment.
Sanders Galleries
in Gallery Row at El Cortijo, 6420 N. Campbell Ave., 520-299-1763
Specializes in traditional and contemporary Southwestern and Native American art, including paintings, prints, rugs, pottery, furniture, jewelry, sculptures, and kachinas.
Settlers West Gallery
in Gallery Row at El Cortijo, 6420 N. Campbell Ave., 520-299-2607
Fine original Western and wildlife art. Featuring works by all of the “Tucson 7,” including Howard Terpning, as well as paintings by William Acheff and Francois Koch.
Silverbell Trading
in Casas Adobes Plaza, 7119 N. Oracle Rd., 520-797-6852
Native American arts & crafts such as pottery, baskets, painting, furniture, photography, and silversmithing, with an emphasis on Southwestern crafts. Jewelry by Anthony Lovato, paintings by Michael Chiago, and pottery by Maria Martinez.
Skyline Gallery
6360 N. Campbell Ave., Ste. 150, 520-615-3800
Featuring the work of more than 100 North American artists and artisans. Offers unique jewelry, blown glass, pottery, and woodwork.
Temple Gallery
330 S. Scott Ave., 624-7370
Managed by Etherton Gallery and featuring individual showings by local artists. Specializes in regional art in a variety of mediums. Located downtown in the Temple of Music & Art.
Thibault4art
267 S. Stone Ave., Studio E, 907-6108
Studio and gallery of local artist Deanna Thibault. Features whimsical, contemporary works in watercolor, ink, collage, and mixed media. Offers classes in water mediums for adults and children.
Tohono Chul Park Exhibit House
7366 N. Paseo del Norte, 520-742-6455
A restored 1937 adobe building houses both an exhibit hall for larger works and group exhibits, and a gallery for smaller shows and pieces. Twelve to 14 shows per year reflect Southwestern nature, art, and culture.
Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block
140 N. Main Ave., 520-624-2333
In downtown’s historic El Presidio District, the museum contains a 6,000-object permanent collection of art of the Americas, from pre-Columbian works to 20th-century European and American art. Also includes the Historic Block, a museum library, and café.
University of Arizona Museum of Art
at the University of Arizona, 1031 N. Olive Rd., 520-621-7567
Located in the “museum neighborhood” along with the Center for Creative Photography, Arizona State Museum, and the Arizona Historical Society, this museum offers a collection of more than 4,500 paintings, sculptures, and works on paper from the sixth-century bc to the present. Includes European, American, Latin American, and Asian art.
Wilde Meyer Gallery
in Gallery Row at El Cortijo, 3001 E. Skyline Dr., Ste. 115, 520-615-5222.
Offers an eclectic collection of contemporary fine art. Artists include figurative painter Linda CarterHolman, landscape painters such as Barbara Gurwitz, and abstract painters including Ryan Hale. Also features artists with contemporary interpretations of cowboys and Native Americans, such as Ka Fisher and Charles Davison, and shows Nancy Pendleton’s mixed-media works.
Bisbee Museums & Galleries
Belleza Fine Art Gallery
29 Main St., 520-432-5877
Featuring original paintings by a variety of artists, including Sam English, Rose Johnson, and William Spencer III. Owned and operated by the Women’s Transitional Project, a shelter and transitional home for women working toward self-sufficiency.
BizzArt galleries
41 Brewery Ave., 520-432-5177
Showcasing fine art paintings, photography, sculpture, collage, and gift items. Located in a historic building and representing more than 30 artists. Also a working studio for local artists Larry Elkins, Lindsey Owen, and Sandra Corn.
Johnson Gallery
28 Main St., 520-432-2126
Gallery of exclusively Native American art, including sculpture, rugs, lithographs, and Mata Ortiz pottery. Features works by sculptors Orland Joe, Tim Washburn, and Alvin Marshall.
The Tang Gallery
32 Main St., 520-432-5824
Original contemporary paintings, watercolors, sculpture, ceramics, glass, and monoprints, as well as limited-edition prints. Features work by owner and artist Mina Tang Kan, in addition to oils by Dan Desmond and paintings by John Agnew.
Tombstone Galleries & Museums
Hon Dah House
374 E. Allen St., 520-457-3348, 800-397-6034
Specializes in Western art and Native American pottery, baskets, and jewelry, as well as paintings, sculpture, bronzes, and artifacts. Features oil paintings by B. Wyatt Taylor and Fred Tuch, and bronzes by Joe Staheli.
The Tombstone Art Gallery
317 E. Allen St., 520-457-2980
Gallery of work exclusively by artists from Cochise County, with an emphasis on Southwestern art. All original art, including paintings, pottery, wood crafts, and crochet crafts. A featured-artist exhibit changes monthly.
Tubac Galleries
Big Horn Galleries
37 Tubac Rd., 520-398-9209
www.bighorngalleries.com/tubac_opening.htm
An extension of the Cody, Wyoming, gallery that specializes in fine traditional and contemporary Western, cowboy, and Southwestern art. Represents more than 70 national and international artists, including James Bama, Frank McCarthy, and Richard Iams.
C. Curry Studio & Gallery
4 Camino Otero, 520-398-3304
Specializing in Southwestern art, from beaded jewelry by Carol Curry to masks and koshare (Hopi clowns made from clay) by Alan Bass. The gallery also carries a variety of mediums including pottery, wood carving, basketry, and gourd art.
Cobalt Fine Arts Gallery
5 Camino Otero, 520-398-1200
An eclectic mix of paintings, sculpture, art glass, ceramics, and mixed-media jewelry with an emphasis on contemporary Southwestern art. Features work by 42 artists, including Southwestern watercolors by Adin Shade and oil paintings by Randy Keedah and Dottie Stanley.
Feminine Mystique Art Gallery
in La Entrada, 4 Circulo Copa, 520-398-0473
An all-female gallery displaying works by more than 75 national and international women artists, including pottery by Pat Aguilar, glasswork by Melissa Branzell, weavings by Maggie Doyle, and dolls by Gretchen Lima. Paintings, glass, wood, gourds, dolls, cloth, and Huichol beadwork.
Galleria Tubac
31 Tubac Rd., 520-398-9088, 800-828-9087
Both a fine-art gallery featuring Southwestern paintings, pottery, and mixed-media works by such artists as Michael C. McCullough and Barbara Bayla Cohen, and a year-round Christmas gallery with nativities, including Fontanini heirloom nativities.
Gallery 219
6 Burruel St., 398-0100
Representing local, national, and international artists with an emphasis on Southwestern themes. Features blown glass, painting, mixed media, photography, pastels, and sculpture.
Gallery Michael Gibbons
18 Calle Iglesia, 398-3109
www.michaelgibbons.net/tubac.htm
Paintings exclusively by Michael Gibbons.
Graham Bell Gallery
One Will Rogers Lane, 520-398-9111
Black-and-white photography by Scott Bell Graham, Louise Serpa, and Edward Curtis. Featuring Tibetan, South American, and cowboy memorabilia, as well as antique furniture.
Hal Empie Studio & Gallery
33 Tubac Rd., 520-398-2811
www.halempiestudio-gallery.com
Gallery dedicated to the work of Arizona artist Hal Empie (1909–2002), including recently acquired originals and limited-edition prints. Oils, watercolors, pen-and-ink drawings, bronzes, and prints. Owned by the Empie family.
Karin Newby Gallery
19 Tubac Rd., 520-398-9662, 888-398-9662
Fine contemporary Southwestern art, including paintings, sculpture, jewelry, and furniture. Features pieces by Bill Worrel and Star Liana York, as well as alkyd paintings by Tom Talbot.
Nicholas Wilson Studio de Tubac
14 Calle Iglesia, 520-398-0506
Contemporary Southwestern art, including paintings, etchings, sculpture, and prints.
Otero Gallery
5 Hesselbarth Ln., 520-398-8014
A 21-member cooperative gallery featuring fine art and craftwork by local artists. Contemporary, Southwestern, and traditional wall work, as well as three-dimensional work in bronze and fine gourd art. Craft items include jewelry, ceramics, and glass, wood, and paper arts.
Purcell Galleries of Fine Art
19 Tubac Rd., 520-398-1600
Features landscape, Native American, Western history, and goddess imagery paintings, as well as ceramics. Represented artists include Ron Mulligan, Carl Purcell, Donna Lamm, and Lincoln Maynard, among others.
The Red Door Gallery
10 Plaza Rd., 520-398-3943, 866-227-8164
This gallery offers contemporary and traditional art, including jewelry, leather furniture, pottery, mixed media, and textiles. Features Native American and Southwestern paintings by owner C. K. Weardon.
Red Willow Gallery
10B Tubac Rd., 520-398-2154
American Indian-owned and -operated. Features American Indian art, including oil paintings, carvings, and jewelry. Paintings by K. Henderson and Frank Schively, and gourds by Latana.
Rogoway’s Turquoise Tortoise Galleries
1 Calle Baca Rd., 520-398-2913, and 5 Calle Baca Rd., 520-398-2041
First location contains glasswork and sculpture in metal and bronze. The second gallery specializes in representational and contemporary art, including art glass, sculpture, pottery, Native American jewelry, oils by Hans Ressdorf, paintings by Charles H. Pabst, and sculpture by Arthur Norby.
Tile N Art Gallery
24 Tubac Rd., 520-398-8638
Features fine art, tile art, and tile murals by local artists in a historic adobe building.
Tubac Center of the Arts
9 Plaza Rd., 520-398-2371
Nonprofit gallery and center offer exhibitions, workshops, lectures, and performances. Features work by more than 100 regional and national artists in all mediums, as well as three galleries, a performance stage, a history gallery, and a gallery shop.
Walter Wilson Studio & Galleries
2243 E. Frontage Rd., 520-398-2312
Features works by artist and owner Walter Wilson, including portraits, custom commission and historical paintings, and Western landscapes.