2012 In Review: Art Exhibitions

I absolutely cannot believe we're installing the first exhibition of 2013! Where did 2012 go!?

2013 was such an incredible year for the Flagstaff art scene. And such an amazing year for the Center for the Arts and Flagstaff Cultural Partners. Often, I feels like FCP is the eclectic (or just plain crazy) uncle at the holiday dinner table with esteemed politicians, teachers, artists, accountants, journalists, business owners, and all these great people on single tracks. FCP is just popcorning out a slew of recent accomplishments and milestones with insane pride. But don't we all really love that nutjob uncle deep down?

So many great things have happened, and are happening. There have been a lot of annuals, a lot of firsts, a lot of "let's see if we can do this." So many things, in fact, that I've had to split this post into subcategories. Here's a look back at the art exhibitions at the Center for the Arts in 2012.

Art Exhibitions

10x10
Over 100 artists displayed in the exhibition to commemorate and celebrate Arizona’s Centennial. Each ten-inch by ten-inch piece of artwork sold or started at auction for only 100 dollars. Local artists donated their work to the Center, so all the proceeds from art sales benefited the Center.

*STAFF PICK*
This exhibition opening was JT's favorite!! We held a special member's preview, where we auctioned off countless works of art. It was crazy!! 

In the Jewel Gallery: Reconstructed, paintings by Jessica McCoy

Youth Celebrate Art and Culture
We celebrated National Youth Art Month (March) with our annual Youth Celebrate Art & Culture Exhibition and Celebration. Hundreds of local youth participated from every school in the greater Flagstaff area, exhibiting their visual art for the public and performing new works.

*STAFF PICK*
The YCAC Opening Reception was Robin's favorite! Youth performance art groups performed throughout the evening in the theater, like Ballet Folklorico, Puente de Hozho students, and more!

In the Jewel Gallery: Learning From the Masters: Celebrating Flagstaff's Masterpiece Art Program

Recycled Art
2012 was the 10th annual year Recycled Art has exhibited at the Center for the Arts. Each year, this show features art that is made from recycled materials. Artists from all over Coconino County come together to promote recycling through this creative, fun and inspiring exhibition.

*STAFF PICK*
This opening reception was Whitney's favorite! Circus Bacchus performed in the theater throughout the night, and they were throwing fire outside!

In the Jewel Gallery: more recycled art made by Flagstaff's youth!

Across the Divide
Curated by Flagstaff local Steve Schaeffer, Across the Divide encompassed the vast array of contemporary ceramics in the sculptural and installation genres. The exhibition featured large-scale sculptural ceramic artwork, and used the Continental Divide as a metaphor for the artist working in clay. The show reached across that divide to artists who have distinguished their work from traditional techniques and stereotypes within the medium.

*STAFF PICK*
Across the Divide was a favorite of Gallery Director, Robin Cadigan's.

In the Jewel Gallery: The Nature of Things, abstract woodwork by Joshua Almond



Prelude to Open Studios
Flagstaff Open Studios Tour is a chance to see how some of your favorite art is created. Over 75 artists opened their studio doors for the 15th annual tour in 2012 for the public to see their creative process. The Prelude show features one piece of artwork by each artist participating in the studio tour, and serves as a preview for the public.


In the Jewel Gallery: Shape, an exhibition of mixed media collage by Sue Katz

Beyond the Border: the Wall, the People & the Land
Beyond the Border addressed the human and environmental impact of issues that surround the US / Mexico border, the border wall and border policies. Works of art in the show explored this impact and how changing policy is affecting the environment and/or people. The intent of this exhibition was not to advocate for or against any position, policy or political figure, but rather offered an opportunity for stories to be shared and questions to be raised that allowed viewers to explore the consequences of intensified focus on this region.

*STAFF PICK*
This exhibition was one of Executive Director, JT's, favorites. The exhibition was accomponied by a huge slew of educational progamming, like a special lecture from authors Dan Millis and Krista Schlyer.

In the Jewel Gallery: Ofrendas a la Frontera/Offerings to the Border, created by high school students at Flagstaff Arts & Leadership Academy, on their experiences spending time in the border region

It's Elemental
The 12th Annual Fine Crafts Exhibition showcased works of art by the finest craftspeople in Northern Arizona. The juried show featured jewelry, ceramics, glasswork, wood, furniture, fabric, sculpture and more. Dozens of local fine craft artists showed over fifty original works of art in this year's exhibition.

*STAFF PICK*
New Program Coordinator and Gallery Assistant, Damon Taylor, loved this exhibition because the work was all local, and all phenomenal!

 In the Jewel Gallery: Foundations, fine crafts by local student artists