events 2008
December 2008
Multi-talented artist Dora Hernandez has had a significant and influential impact on our thriving metro Phoenix arts scene. Hernandez is a featured artist with Xico, Inc. Formerly known as Xicanindio, Xico is now a multidisciplinary arts organization that was created in 1975 by a group of local Chicano and Native American artists. The vision of the organization is to promote indigenous arts and culture through community- based arts programs.
November 2008
John Kitts
Photographer John Kitts works with film (not digital). He prints his work on archival paper and frames the images with old-world skill and craftsmanship. In this series, John Kitts explores textures and light found in nature.
November 1, 2008
Local First Arizona Fall Festival
Practical Art participated in this event held at the 16th St. and Camelback Duck & Decanter with dozens of other local vendors in support of all things local! Practical Art is a proud supporter of the "buy local" movement and is a member of Local First Arizona.
October 2008
Jay Hardin "Planktos", the current series of work by multimedia artist Jay Hardin, was on our walls throughout October. Jay works in multiple textures, adding and subtracting until the imagery of new life appears. His fields of color and texture emerge from a fluid process which results in remarkable patterns of organisms adrift in the natural world. It is the process of art making that is at the core of all he creates.
October 24, 2008
Champagne Dreams
If you have visited Practical Art, you probably have admired the variety of lovely jewelry work by Suzanne, whose company is Champagne Dreams. On October 24, the audience delighted in Suzanne's enthusiasm for her work and her art as she demonstrated her craft.
September 2008
Allison Manch
"SAMPLING", the current series of work by Allison Manch, was on our walls from September 1-30. Referencing contemporary music sampling with her updated take on traditional needlepoint samples, Manch excerpts family history in her embroidered illustrations of love and locale.
September 26, 2008
Dr. Shari Collins-Chobanian demonstrated the fun (but messy!) art of paper-marbling. Using handmade or recycled paper,
pigments, and effect-specific tools, Shari crafts marbled paper for use in her handmade art cards-- on which she uses a variety of other salvaged materials such as old zippers, wires, twigs from her yard, and discarded record inserts.
August 2008
Sarah Kriehn"Encounters," the current series of work by Sarah Kriehn, was on our walls throughout August. In this work, Sarah explores, through her monotype printmaking, how to visually express the experiences of our lives. How does it feel to be "On Cloud Nine" - and how would you portray that feeling visually? See Sarah's interpretation of many different "Encounters" we all have at one point or another in our lives.
August 5, 2009
Green Drinks
Green Drinks is a social gathering for those with an interest in the planet. a.k.a. Green coordinates this monthly event to help "green" professionals network, share ideas and support each other in their businesses & organizations, and in August, Practical Art was the host! Appetizers were provided by locally owned midtown ZPizza, wine compliments of Practical Art, and beer brewed nearby compliments of Sonora Brewhouse!
June 2008
Paul Porter
A process originally developed more than 3,000 years ago, woodturning evolved with technology to eventually allow a multiple- person process to become the work of a solo 
artisan. Watch hidden wood grain appear before your eyes as expert woodturner Paul Porter uses more than a decade of acquired skill to carve graceful shapes from salvaged local mesquite wood. Paul demonstrated his 'wet' wood process in action as he turned a boring block into a beautiful bowl! Paul is a member of the Arizona Woodturners Association and the American Association of Woodturners.
June 2008
Paul Porter
A process originally developed more than 3,000 years ago, woodturning evolved with technology to eventually allow a multiple- person process to become the work of a solo
artisan. Watch hidden wood grain appear before your eyes as expert woodturner Paul Porter uses more than a decade of acquired skill to carve graceful shapes from salvaged local mesquite wood. Paul demonstrated his 'wet' wood process in action as he turned a boring block into a beautiful bowl! Paul is a member of the Arizona Woodturners Association and the American Association of Woodturners.
May 2008
"Reflecting on Mirrors as Art"
Mirrors have been enjoyed as "looking glass" for many centuries. At Practical Art, we have three wonderful artists who have their own take on how to handcraft a mirror that is uniquely beautiful for everyday use. They spoke of the inspiration and process each of our artisans employ to create their work.
April 17, 18, 19, 2008
Practical Art's Grand Opening!!!!!
Practical Art started things off with a bang! Catering provided by local vendors ZPizza, Chatham's Fine Chocolates, & Urban Cookies, the acoustic guitar & vocal stylings of local musician Stephen Roschi of Maybell Park, and t-shirt and gift card drawings each night!