400 years of history ~

These magnificent and massive carved wooden doors are dated to 1665. They are from a chapel in Michoacan, Mexico and were carved by Tarascan wood carvers. They are now installed on one of the art galleries at the Amerind Foundation in Texas Canyon. 

Today's the Last Day!

If you have been meaning to drive down to Tubac for the wonderful annual Festival of the Arts, today is your last chance. From 10am - 5pm enjoy music and art in a quaint village setting.  Drive South on I-10 and take Exit #34 for Tubac. 

Tucson Trivia ~ the Tucson Portrait Project

Chances are good that someone you know is one of the thousands of portraits on display in the Fourth Avenue Underpass. 10 years ago the "Tucson Portrait Project" was launched to capture photos of people in Tucson - all kinds of people...young, old, big, little... and some animals, too! A truly great piece of public art! 

Today is the last day!

The marvelous exhibit at the Tucson Botanical Gardens, "Luminous," closes today so this is your last chance to see these whimsical and enchanting illuminated sculptures for yourself. Enjoy! 

Rare Albino Javelina ~

Spotted roaming on the grounds of the Tucson Botanical Gardens...  part of Mykl Wells's "Luminous" exhibit. Wonderful! 

Dragon-sized Dragonfly ~

This huge and magical dragonfly sculpture is part of the "Luminous" exhibit at the Tucson Botanical Gardens. The artist who created this group of fantasy creatures is Mykl Wells, a local sculptor. Show closes on Jan 6. 

On the prowl ~

This fantastic, larger-than-life size coyote is on the prowl at the Tucson Botanical Gardens. The coyote is part of a exhibit designed and created by local artist Mykl Wells. The sculptures are scattered throughout the grounds - both placed on the ground and some are suspended from the trees. It is a magical show that ends on January 6 so hurry!

Photo courtesy of Ken Wilcox.

Feeling a little peckish, are we?

This magnificent life-size vulture keeps an eye on things at Tucson's Tohono Chul Park. Created with recycled materials, it is the world of Kenyan sculptor, Kioko Mwitiki. I think it's particularly fun that the Park has strung fairy lights on this carnivore! (:
Photo courtesy of Ken Wilcox.

Lifesize Horse Created with Scrap Metal!

One of the featured pieces in Tohono Chul Park's permanent art collection is this strikingly handsome lifesize metal horse. The piece was created by world famous Kenyan sculptor, Kioko Mwitiki. Mr. Mwitiki is a sculptor, wildlife activist, mentor, and teacher.

A Queer of Quail ~

A group of quail can be a queer, a covey, a flock, or a bevy. These quiet quail are sculpture at the beautiful Tohono Chul Park, a wonderful place to refresh yourself with art, greenery, and a tea room, too!
Photo courtesy of Ken Wilcox.

Caught in the moment ~

This beautiful mule deer is just one of the lifesize sculptures that will delight you on the grounds of Tucson's wonderful Tohono Chul Park.
Photo courtesy of Ken Wilcox. 

Tucson's Local Talent ~

 

Two local treasures are featured here! First, the art of David Adix is so interesting with his use of mixed media and recycled materials. This piece, "Jeangene," is displayed at Pastiche, a locally owned restaurant in Tucson on Campbell near Ft Lowell. Want to see more pieces by David? Click HERE. 

Rushing Water ~

Continuing with yesterday's display of art displayed at Tucson's main library, here is another piece in the library's collection: "Monarch" by James P. Cook. The artist has boldly captured the power of rushing water in Rocky Mountain State Park. A dam had burst above these falls and the flood waters dramatically and permanently changed the landscape. I also particularly love the bold graphics in the carpet that, from the higher level angle, appear as 3-dimensional tiles on top of the carpet. Cool! 

Tucson Trivia - Unusual Art Gallery

You may not consider the library to be a hotspot for artwork but you would be wrong! Here is just one example of the cool collection on display at the Joel Valdez Library (the main library downtown on Stone). This Thunderbird Curio sign was the first ever neon sign in Tucson. It was beautifully restored by the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation. For more info, click here. 

Tueson Trivia - Downtown Characters

Everyone has their favorite character among the many black and white photo tile murals that decorate the Broadway Underpass. This massive public art project ("Windows to the Past; Gateway to the Future") is a great Tucson valentine. Steve Farley invented a process to convert archival photos into tiles and turned a display of Tucson's history into a display of Tucson's "Best Wall Ever!" Here are a few stories to give you more information about this wonderful and amazing art work. Click here and here and here to read more and to see more images! Enjoy! 

Tucson's Spiritual Lore ~

The story is that as Felix Lucero lay critically injured on a battlefield he made a deal with God that if he was permitted to live he would dedicate himself to creating Christian art. Tucson's Garden of Gethsemane is the result of his pact with the Almighty. Here's more info about this small public park if you would like to read more about this unusual sculpture garden.
Photos courtesy of Susan Dodson. 

Gone Giraffe!

15 FEBRUARY 2012

Another naming opportunity ~

THEN:

In addition to the fine rooster posted on Monday, Phil at Copper Country Antiques has also added this patriotic giraffe to his menagerie. This tall one is also currently without a proper moniker. Ideas, anyone? Red, white, & blue - how about SAM?

www.coppercountryantiques.com

NOW: Sadly, Copper Country Antiques and its wonderful shops and cafe and kooky animals are all gone now. The business closed in January of 2016 and the building remains vacant. Here's the news story with more details.  

And you thought you had seen it all....

Yes, we all call it "The Gem Show" for short but it's the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show and you can find a whole lot more than turquoise necklaces there! Check out these great finds from sea bed and cliff excavations - the remains of ancient sea creatures. Fabulous!
Photo courtesy of Susan Dodson.

Throwback Thursday ~Tucson is a Tent City again!

01 FEBRUARY 2011

Tucson's tent city ~

THEN:

For the next few weeks parts of Tucson will be looking like a tent city as the annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show moves into town. Many locations all over town make this show accessible to just about anyone. Vendors are set up in hotels, at the Convention Center, and in tents selling gems, minerals, jewelry making supplies, American Indian items and more. Click this handy link to read all about it here.

NOW: Exactly the same! The Gem Show attracts visitors from all over the world and there are tents, booths, and hotel lobbies FILLED with gorgeous specimens now through February 11. For this year's info, click here. 

O is for Old Town Artisans ~

As we continue on our Alphabet Tour of Tucson, we come to Day 6 of MY FAVORITE THINGS so we are looking at things that begin with the letter O. 

Old Town Artisans is absolutely one of the most charming shopping areas in Tucson. It is a collection of historic homes and other buildings all linked together to provide an amazing historic perspective of Tucson highlighted with imaginative and whimsical artwork and other gift items. The complex also includes a Mexican cantina - a great place to celebrate New Year's Eve! HELLO 2018!

What are your favorite Tucson things that begin with the letter O?