A Guide to Phoenix’s Art Scene: Murals, Galleries, and More
Where to Find the Best Art in Phoenix?
The best art in Phoenix can be found in its galleries, museums, and trendy community hubs, which are located in the Downtown area, as well as further afield. Set in the breathtaking Sonoran Desert, a landscape that has drawn artists since time immemorial with its ethereal light and luminous colors, Phoenix is a breeding ground for unbridled creativity.
Admire indigenous art in a female-led space, works by emerging artists, and all things modern and abstract. If you’re traveling with the kids, why not stroll the city streets to take in larger-than-life murals and visionary installations on the sides of buildings and in expansive public greenspaces. So, where to find the best art in Phoenix?
1. First Friday Art Walk
A showcase of local talent in Roosevelt Row and beyond
Good for: Shoppers, Photo
Phoenix’s First Friday Art Walk is a monthly celebration of creativity, centered around the Roosevelt Row Arts District. Wander through contemporary galleries like Modified Arts, discover striking murals, and browse curated stalls featuring handmade jewelry, ceramics, and prints by local artists.
Highlights include The Nash for live jazz, the Wasted Ink Zone Distro, and buzzing pop-ups along Grand Avenue. Food trucks and indie vendors add to the lively atmosphere, making it easy to spend hours exploring. For anyone wanting to dive into the city’s artistic soul, this walk is an excellent place to start.
Open: First Friday of every month from 6 pm to 10 pm
Phone: +1 602-829-5659
First Friday Art Walk
2. 1 1/2 Street Mural Project
Popular with Instagrammers
Good for: Photo, Budget
The 1 ½ Street Mural Project can be found in the Roosevelt Row Arts District, a hip Downtown area that teems with galleries, eateries, and eclectic boutiques. Outside, the walls of the surrounding buildings are adorned with brightly colored murals, as envisioned by 12 local street artists commissioned to take part. Admire flying birds, flowering cacti, abstract portraits, and statements about the ecosystem from creatives like Lola Cota, Gabriel Pecina, Nyla Lee, and Isaac Caruso.
This collaborative effort is located behind The Churchill, a community hub and gathering space that’s home to a trio of popular restaurants, as well as a selection of bars, a smoothie stand, and an independent grocery.
Location: 146 E Garfield St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
1 1/2 Street Mural Project
3. Arizona Falls
A poetic resting place tucked inside a power generator
Good for: Photo, Budget
At first glance, Arizona Falls appears to be a hydroelectric power generating station, but look closer and discover an architectural work of art, envisioned by Mags Harries and Lajos Héder. Sandblasted into the concrete floor of the Stoa Deck, you’ll find the words of Alberto Rios, an eminent Arizona Poet Laureate whose work explores the transcendent beauty of the Salt River Valley and the symbolic power of water.
Stand on the deck and take in the rushing of the falls before admiring the surrounding mountains and the Arizona Canal below. Afterwards, stroll through G.R. Herberger Park with its pickleball and tennis courts or stop by Vecina restaurant for a plate of pork belly tacos.
Location: 5802 E Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018, USA
Arizona Falls
4. Lisa Sette Gallery
Modern art with a meaningful message
Good for: Luxury, Couples
Lisa Sette Gallery is located in Phoenix’s popular Encanto Village, a culturally rich neighborhood a few minutes north of Downtown. Since 1985, this adventurous curator has drawn artists, collectors, and punters alike with original works from groundbreaking artists who captivate audiences with their bold social statements and visually arresting aesthetics.
Stop by for exhibitions exploring ancestral traditions, Grand Canyon photography, transcendent geometry, and images of the moon. Artists on display include Nigerian-American creative Merryn Omotayo Alaka and Argentine-Mexican talent Máximo González.
Location: 210 E Catalina Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85012, USA
Open: Tuesday–Friday from 10 am to 4 pm, Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm (closed on Sundays and Mondays)
Phone: +1 480-990-7342
Lisa Sette Gallery
5. Her Secret is Patience
An extraordinary aerial artwork
Good for: Budget, Families
Suspended above Civic Space Park, Her Secret is Patience is a flamboyant public sculpture designed by artist Janet Echelman and commissioned by the city of Phoenix. Crafted from galvanized steel, polyester netting, and multicolored lights, this visual spectacle hovers over the lawn below like a giant illuminated jellyfish. The piece was inspired by the Sonoran Desert’s monsoon clouds and the shadows they cast across the land.
Visit after sundown to see this 145-ft (44-meter) beast suspended in the night sky. Every season the color gradually changes. Check the Civic Space Park calendar because movie nights are held here sporadically, making it the most atmospheric of settings to watch the latest blockbuster.
Location: Civic Space Park, 424 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
Open: Daily from 5 am to 11 pm
Phone: +1 602-262-7490
Her Secret is Patience
6. Cahokia
An inspiring homage to indigenous artists
Good for: Families, Couples
Cahokia is a women-owned art space that nurtures groundbreaking projects by indigenous artists. It’s situated conveniently between Downtown Phoenix and Evans Churchill, which is home to Roosevelt Row, the city’s leading arts district. Come here for events featuring works by Navajo artists, group exhibitions celebrating water, and photographic collections exploring the immigration experience.
Every month, the venue hosts the Indige Night Market, which promotes indie streetwear brands, Native American art, regional music, and finger-licking cuisine. Dance to live DJs, order dishes from friendly local food trucks, and shop for sustainable fashion and handcrafted jewelry.
Location: 707 N 3rd St Suite 130, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
Open: Tuesday–Saturday from noon to 4 pm (closed on Sundays and Mondays)
Phone: +1 602-767-2901
Cahokia
7. Modified Arts
An envelope-pushing initiative designed to provoke
Good for: Photo, Couples
Set in a spacious city studio, Modified Arts aims to disrupt the traditional gallery model by showcasing challenging contemporary works spanning painting, sculpture, and mixed media. Launched in 1999 by Kimber Lanning, the space soon developed into a cultural talking point thanks to its fresh displays of unusual art and live musical performances.
Visit to see pieces from visionary art collective “3CarPileUp,” thoughtful renditions of the region’s cacti from South Korean painter Hyewon Yoon, and explorations of Black self-representation from Shaunté Glover and Wabwila Mugala. Later, grab a bite to eat at one of the nearby food joints like Pedal House Brewery or Taco Boys.
Location: 407 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
Open: Friday from 6 pm to 9 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm (closed on Monday–Thursday)
Phone: +1 602-312-4203
Modified Arts
8. Phoenix Art Museum
An esteemed institution with its finger on the pulse
Good for: Budget, Families
To peruse a world-class art collection, head to the Phoenix Art Museum, which is situated in the city’s bustling Central Corridor. This expansive exhibition space features over 21,000 items, including ancient objects and modern masterpieces, and hosts over 300,000 visitors every single year.
Come to see pieces from fashion designer Anna Sui, pop artist Keith Haring, and impressionist painter Claude Monet, or visit for exclusive events like film screenings and workshops. When you’re feeling hungry, head to the venue’s Temporary Café for buffalo cauliflower salad and Vietnamese cinnamon rolls, all washed down with a frothy cup of coffee.
Location: 1625 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
Open: Wednesday–Friday from 10 am to 8 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Phone: +1 602-257-1880
Phoenix Art Museum
9. Alwun House Foundation
An edgy, creative community that dances on the fringes
Good for: Families, Couples
A beloved bohemian enclave and not-for-profit organization, Alwun House Foundation draws visitors with its blistering live music performances and fun creative events. On any given day, you’ll find exotic drag shows, punk burlesque theater, pop-up skate parks, and community yard sales. There’s even a Summer Splash family festival featuring waterslides and games.
The foundation’s Exhibition Season showcases boundary-pushing works from all kinds of artists, so keep your eyes peeled for upcoming dates. Don’t miss the Salon des Enfants annual youth art show in partnership with Phoenix Elementary School to see over 300 pieces made by students in the 5th to 8th grades.
Location: 1204 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, AZ 85006, USA
Open: Tuesday–Friday from noon to 6 pm (closed on Saturday–Monday)
Phone: +1 602-253-7887
Alwun House Foundation
10. James Baldwin
An artistic tribute to a civil rights legend
Good for: Photo, Budget
On North Central Avenue in Downtown Phoenix, you’ll find a 9-story installation that pays homage to African American author and civil rights activist James Baldwin. The vision of local artist Antoinette Cauley, this eye-popping work features a multi-colored portrait of the award-winning writer, accompanied by his famous quote.
You can also find other street art murals honoring Black history across inner-city Phoenix, including one on the side of Ninth Street’s Nanny’s Fried Chicken and on the western side of Mrs. White’s Golden Rule cafe, located at Eighth and Jefferson streets. Finish your day off with a bite to eat at one of Phoenix’s Black-owned food joints like Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles or CC’s on Central.
Location: 1001 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
James Baldwin
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