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"Jack Knife," a 1993 bronze sculpture by Ed Mell, reflects the Scottsdale, Ariz., city seal: a rider on a bucking horse. (HILARY NANGLE FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE) |
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Why do art galleries intimidate so many people?
Sure, some can be a bit snobbish and a few with "you break it, you bought it" policies are unwelcoming, but overall, gallery hopping is fun. It is an inexpensive way to learn about art and perhaps see museum-quality treasures in a less-formal setting.
Gallery hopping is also a great way to meet locals when you are traveling and to get the inside scoop on what to do and where to go in a new town.
With more than 125 galleries, seeing Scottsdale is more like marathoning than hopping. It's one of the top art markets in the country, and the artistic energy generated by the sheer number of top-notch galleries in a resort setting is rivaled only by Santa Fe.
The concentration creates a juxtaposition ranging from new works by emerging artists to museum-quality masterpieces. Traditional art galleries and antiques shops are just steps from funky galleries, sculpture gardens, and high-end craft galleries.
The mix makes Scottsdale's visual arts scene welcoming to even the most undiscriminating eye, and appreciated by those in the know.
Three of the city's downtown districts cater to enthusiasts. High-end shops and galleries are clustered in the Main Street Arts & Antiques District. Native American artwork dominates the Old Town Scottsdale district. Contemporary art and craft is the focus of the Marshall Way Arts District.
All are adjacent to each other and navigable on foot in this pedestrian-friendly city. Another plus: Parking is plentiful and free.
Begin with the expected. Hold tight to your wallet and avoid any quick moves while browsing the Main Street District galleries. Many show museum-quality work and are well worth visiting, despite a certain high-brow attitude. Most gallery and shop owners welcome questions and enjoy the opportunity to educate visitors about their collections and the artists they represent.
In Old Town, beyond the shops and galleries, is the cutting-edge Institute of Contemporary Art, where thought-provoking exhibits often push boundaries.
On a recent visit, videos by Bruce Nauman and tea and coffee sets designed by leading architects filled two galleries, while an exhibit of modern and contemporary photography loaned by private collectors and abstract paintings by Monique Prieto filled two more.
On a previous visit, an exhibit of homes created with unusual materials challenged accepted notions of construction materials. Allow time to soak it all in, and don't miss the "skyspace " designed by James Turrell, where an open-air skylight plays with the light and prism-like windows line a hallway.
Contemporary art is also the focus of the Upper Marshall Way galleries, and while anytime is a good time to browse and explore, the weekly Thursday-evening Arts Walk, a 30-year tradition, adds a festive environment. Not only are the galleries open, but also many serve wine and hors d'oeuvres, and some have live entertainment. Better still, many of the artists are on hand to discuss their works.
There are artists always on hand at Artspace , an unusual gallery concept. Downstairs is the Robert Roman Gallery, representing more than 50 artists and displaying an unusual blend of both fine art and fine craft, at prices ranging from $20 to more than $20,000. Art quilts, paintings, hand crafted furniture, kaleidoscopes, colorful artistic clothing, glass work, sculptures, and more fill the downstairs rooms and two upstairs galleries with rotating exhibits. It's eye candy and a textural feast. If that's not enough, eight working studios shared by 10 artists provide an excellent opportunity to watch the art-making process and chat with the creators about their works.
Tying the districts together is a fabulous collection of public art. It seems nearly everywhere you look there's something special to view. More than two-dozen works -- sculptures, fountains, a clock tower, and even bus shelters -- are scattered throughout downtown.
Ed Mell's "Jack Knife," at the intersection of Marshall Way and Main Street, and Bob Parks's "Horse Fountain," at the intersection of Marshall and Fifth Avenue, are two easy-to-find landmarks. A bit off the beaten track is Robert Indiana's "Love" sculpture, located on the edge of the Old Town District, near the Scottsdale Center for the Arts.
Scottsdale's arts-viewing opportunities extend beyond the downtown and outside the usual venues. Some of the city's fashionable hotels do double duty as galleries. One need not stay, dine, or purchase services to tour these properties, but all have excellent restaurants and a few have spas open to the public by reservation.
The Hermosa Inn and its restaurant , Lon's at the Hermosa , occupy the former home of cowboy artist Lon Megargee in Paradise Valley. Megargee, best known for the painting on the label of Stetson hats, built the home and some of his works are still on view there.
Art is displayed throughout the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale at Gainey Ranch. Be sure to walk through the reception and bell desk areas and the conference wing, where sculpture, mixed media works, and paintings are exhibited. Don't miss the Native American Learning Center on the mezzanine level, where native artists demonstrate crafts. On the grounds, bronze sculptures, many by
An impressive collection of artwork is also on display at the Phoenician Resort. Pick up a print out for a self-guided art tour from the concierge or just wander the public areas of the property.
Among the highlights: 17th-century French tapestries, Flemish paintings, and paintings by early Taos school artists such as Jozef Bakos and Sven Sandzen hanging in the lobby and reception areas. Works by Kenji Yoshida , named a "national treasure" in his native Japan, hang outside the ballroom. Eleven sculptures by Allan Houser are placed around the property, including two flanking the main entrance and a third opposite it. Also on site is a gallery with more of Houser's works.
Contact Hilary Nangle, a freelance writer and editor in Waldoboro, Maine, at hilary@hilarynangle .com. 
© Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company.
