Along with the regularly featured functional art, we also host an emerging Arizona visual artist for a month long solo show on our gallery wall.
Our Current Show
"Yeti Leaves Home"
by Jennifer Campbell
Exhibition: May 1st- May 31th
Reception: Friday, May 11th from 7pm-9pm
*Jennifer will be performing a special Mother's Day reading of
Yeti Leaves Home at 2pm, Sunday, May 13th.*
UPCOMING EVENTS AT PRACTICAL ART
Kids Classes are starting in May!
"The atmosphere and staff were so freindly and welcoming. I was so amazed with how many useful and beautiful pieces of art they have avaliable. My son absolutely loved the sculpture class. We will definitely be back for more classes and gift ideas."
and
May 2012
"Yeti Leaves Home" by Jennifer Campbell
Exhibition: May 1st-31st, 2012
Reception: Friday, May 11th from 7pm-9pm
**Jennifer will be performing a special Mother's Day reading of "Yeti Leaves Home" on Sunday, May 13th, at 2pm**
--Snacks and refreshments will be served!--
"The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned." -- Maya Angelou
At some point in our lives, the place and people we grew up with are not ours to call home anymore. Yeti Leaves Home tells the tale of one Yeti's travels as he sets out to find a home for himself. Join Yeti through his many trials and triumphs and share the joy of all the friends he meets along the way in this collection of framed original watercolors.
First Friday, Live Music: Ron Foligno!
Friday, May 4th, 2012 from 7pm-9pm
--Snacks and refreshments will be served.--
Kick off your First Friday right! Start in North Cenpho and grab some dinner at a busy urban eatery (ask us for recs!), then swing by Practical Art to see the new wall show, catch some live tunes, and get the haps on the must-see's in the downtown arts districts. A new musical act each month! Snacks and refreshments as always!
This Month: Ron Foligno is one half of valley musical duo Samson Says, Mr. Musical for Hollis' Traveling Tree House and Dance Party (a kids show for adults) at Space 55, moderator for Practical Art's Socrates Cafe Philosophical Discussion group every first and third Sunday, and owner/operator of Tempe screenprinting company Ghosticorn Apparel.
Socrates Cafe Philosophical Discussion Group
Sunday, May 6th & 20th, 2012 from 2pm-4pm
--Every first and third Sunday of the month!--
Don't be afraid...you don't need to know anything about philosophy. Socrates Cafe is a way to participate in (or observe) an in-person, engaging conversation between actual humans. It's a dying art, so throw away your cell phones and join us! Anyone and everyone is welcome to chat, listen, or shop!
FAST & EASY Book Club
Monday, May 7nd & 21th, 2012 from 6pm-7pm
--First and third Mondays of each month!--
Everyone knows that reading is sexy. Sometimes the masses have even found books to be TOO sexy-- and have banned them, or worse, relegated them to secondary reading lists <gasp!>. Who better to curate a selection of books often overlooked because of prevalent erotic themes than local author and burlesque dancer Meghan Jones? Oh, and these selections will be perfect for the "Lazy Arse's" of the last sea-themed round; they're 'fast', so only around 200 pages!
May's Book: "Tropic of Cancer" by Henry Miller!
**The next round of book club will be Young Adult Literature! (Click here for details!)**
UPTOWN P.E.N. (Poetry Event Night!)
Thursday, May 10th from 7pm-8:30pm
--Every Second Thursday!--
Moderated by: Mark Young
May's Feature Poet: Barry Graham
Come hang out in an indoors, relaxed atmosphere and share your passions and insights with a welcoming audience. Bring along poetry, flash fiction, or any other word-craft pieces that respect typical time allowances for group readings. We expect an hour of open mic with first come, first serve sign-ups; the last half an hour will feature one local wordsmith. If you are interested in featuring, please e-mail info@practical-art.com. Refreshments will be available, but feel free to bring any snacks and drinks you have a hankerin' for!
Third Friday PIE Social
Friday, May 18th, 2012 from 7pm-9pm
--Every Third Friday!--
Kick off your weekend with our regularly scheduled PIE SOCIAL! The delectables (made by our favorite sister/helper Karen Olson) have previously included Apple with a Gruyere crust, Pear Cardamom, Banana Peanut Butter Cream, and Blueberry Scotch. Bring your own plate, or pick up a handmade one on the spot to keep things eco-conscious!
Fourth Friday: swirl.sniff.sip.
Friday, May, 2012 from 7pm-9pm
--Every Fourth Friday!--
Accompany Certified Sommelier Jessica Fleming of Clink! Wine Education and Entertainment on a journey of the senses. These tastings and dialogues will offer tips on how to identify and discuss characteristics of your favorite wines, and as Jessica says, "Wine tasting isn't so much about whetting your whistle as it is about exploring the world through your senses from the comfort of your own space." Come explore with us! Each session is different!
Open Knit!
Saturday, May 26th, 2012 from 3pm-5pm(ish)
--Every Fourth Saturday of the month immediately following Knitting 101!--
Bring your current project, plop down in the A/C with some fellow fiber artists, and share some ideas, inspirations, and motivation!
Knitting 101
Saturday, May 26th, 2012 from 1pm-3pm
A two-hour lessons from knitting instructor, Gwynne Sullivan. For beginners or those interested in learning about additional techniques, stitches, and projects!
Attending the Open Knit portion of the day is always FREE!
June 2012
"Bunnies are evil, lions are nice, and unicorns are something in between" by Sebastien Millon
Exhibition: June 1st-30th, 2012
Reception: Friday, June 8th from 7pm-9pm
--Snacks and refreshments will be served!--
Sebastien Millon will be presenting his newest imagery featuring
malevolent rabbits, Drunky Bears, and one of his newest characters,
a kiwi bird. The imagery is full of mischief, mayhem, sweetness,
absurdity, and random fun. There may even be possible baby unicorn
sightings along with secret info that was painstakingly researched by the
artist about the mysterious and elusive baby unicorn species. No matter
what, you will be shocked, dismayed, and utterly disappointed by the
work, and ultimately, that's what counts.