Off the Clock: Artwork by City of Chandler Employees
2021-08-21 - 2021-10-02 | Vision Gallery, 10 E Chicago St, Chandler, AZ, 85225, United States
At the City of Chandler, we are fortunate to have myriad multi-talented individuals working all around us. While many of our coworkers’ skills are visible in the office, some talents are not as obvious. Further, a year spent mostly at home has given many employees the opportunity to find new hobbies or rediscover old passions to pass the time. Featuring 25 artists from 11 City departments, Off the Clock celebrates the artistic talents of our fellow City employees!
Exhibiting Artists
Theo Anglin, Jennifer Bailey, Kathryn Beck, Kareena Betancourt, Peter Bugg, Anna Camino, James Carreno, Cynde Cerf, Andrea Cole, Diana Deming, Lessie Dingler, Kim Durning, Caroline Hudson-Naef, Laurel Klimack, Chris Leon, Savana Martinez, Susan May, Rori Minor, John Owens, Yuliana Resendiz, Rick Smith, Nannette Tennant, Sue Van Horne, Michael Winer, Melina Zuniga

Exhibition Photos

Remarkable Presence
2021-09-23 - 2021-10-09 | Vision Gallery, 10 E Chicago St, Chandler, AZ, 85225, United States
Installation
Remarkable Presence is an art installation by Jen Urso taking place at multiple locations across the Valley. The installation consists of small, numbered paper suitcases representing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Arizona. While the main exhibition takes place at Walter Art Gallery in Scottsdale, AZ, Vision Gallery presents a portion of these paper suitcases in a supporting exhibition.
When someone dies, they leave behind all the parts of their life that they couldn’t take with them. Family and friends are left with the task of sorting through these objects and deciding what to keep, what to give away and what to throw away. It seems impossible to place value on objects loaded with meaning and past purpose. “As my own sister was dying of cancer during this pandemic, I was the main person to go through this process. I sorted through bags, boxes, bins and suitcases—making difficult decisions on objects that had been kept for another time, but time ran out. I imagined all of the things my sister owned and had ever created being packed tightly into a suitcase and then bursting out of it when opened.”
“As Arizona came to lead the world with the highest COVID-19 infection rate, over a hundred people were reported dead each day. For each one of those people, there was a family devastated, like me, who was faced with going through their loved-one’s belongings and making decisions. I decided I needed to make something that represents and honors each one of these individuals and to hold events where we could collectively grieve together.” The pop-up suitcases on display are a few of approximately 100 made including information from some of the hundreds of obituaries in Arizona where COVID was listed as the cause of death.
Please visit the website for more information on this project or to request to receive a suitcase.
https://www.remarkablepresence.com/
Collective Grieving Event
Saturday, September 25, 4pm-6pm
In addition to this installation, one of several public “Collective Grievings” will be held at Vision Gallery on Saturday, September 25, 4pm-6pm. At this event, the community is invited to receive an empty, numbered suitcase from the Remarkable Presence installation with the agreement to emotionally tend to that person’s memory and belongings. Throughout the entire pandemic, families and friends have had to delay their grieving because of limitations on in-person attendance at events. Many obituaries state that “due to covid…” they are delaying services, limiting services or forgoing services altogether. The lack of communal grieving has put us in an even more isolated state of mind as we’re forced to be alone, without the comfort of human touch or understanding face. This event serves as a moment to acknowledge our pain, remember those who have passed, and attempt to heal.
“I hope that these events and this work will be an opportunity for us to share in the grief we’ve experienced over the past year. I hope it will give people the chance to think or talk about the person they miss.” – Jen Urso
RSVP

Abstracting Identity: Artwork by Miguel Angel Godoy
2021-10-02 - 2021-11-13 | Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ, 85225
As a Chicano kid growing up in a military family, Miguel Angel Godoy struggled to find a community as he moved from base to base. That changed when he was introduced to Hip-Hop culture and the breaking (breakdancing) cypher, where he found a community to connect to. Over time, Godoy’s interests evolved from breaking and graffiti to mural art. These shifts in interests led him to pursue an MFA in Painting and Drawing at ASU. As he navigated his MFA program and identity formation as a graduate student, his canvases morphed from square to round, emulating the circular breaking cypher where he felt most at home. At the same time, his children were learning how to read, sounding out words letter by letter, but the once-familiar alphabet began to take on new meaning to Godoy. This meaning-making process created a critical awareness of the negative space between letterforms and their representation. Godoy began abstracting and overlaying these shapes as a way of offering a new lens into the meaning behind words. His journey through identity formation led him to understand that the abstractions between words, letters, and finding our communities, within each cypher all carry meaning and contribute to our own sense of belonging. In Abstracting Identity, Godoy creates his own visual language to communicate the complexities of being human and finding a space where we belong.
De niño Chicano creciendo en una familia militar, Miguel Ángel Godoy luchó por encontrar una comunidad mientras se mudaba de base en base. Eso cambió con su introducción a la cultura de Hip-Hop y Breakdancing (breaking cypher), donde encontró una comunidad con la cual conectarse. A través del tiempo, los intereses de Godoy evolucionaron del baile break dancing y de la pintura de graffiti, al arte de murales. Estos cambios en lo que a él le interesaba lo inspiró a perseguir una Maestría en Bellas Artes en Pintura y Dibujo en la universidad ASU. A medida que él navegaba por su programa de la maestría y la formación de su identidad como estudiante graduado, sus lienzos se transformaron de cuadrados a circulares, emulando los bailes “breaking cypher” circulares en los que se sentía más como en casa. Al mismo tiempo, sus hijos estaban aprendiendo a leer, sonando palabras letra por letra, pero el alfabeto una vez familiar comenzó a tomar un nuevo significado para Godoy. Este proceso de creación de significados creó una conciencia crítica del espacio negativo entre las formas de las letras y sus representaciones. Godoy comenzó a abstraer y superponer estas formas como una manera de ofrecer un nuevo lente al significado detrás de las palabras. Su trayectoria a través de la formación de la identidad lo llevó a entender que las abstracciones entre las palabras, las letras y la búsqueda de nuestras comunidades, dentro de cada “breaking cypher,” todas tienen sentido y contribuyen a nuestro propio sentido de pertenencia. En Abstracting Identity (Abstrayendo la Identidad), Godoy crea su propio lenguaje visual para comunicar las complejidades del ser humano y encontrar un espacio en el cual pertenecemos.
Image: Miguel Angel Godoy, En Contra
Opening Reception / Recepción de apertura
Friday, October 8, 6 – 8pm
Join us for a special party celebrating this exhibition! The CCA bar will be serving beer and wine, a DJ will be spinning B-boy beats, and visitors are encouraged to join the cypher.
¡Únase a nosotros para una fiesta especial que celebra esta exposición! El bar CCA servirá cerveza y vino, un DJ tocará ritmos B-boy y se anima a los visitantes a unirse a la cifra.
RSVP for ReceptionView the Exhibition Online
Gallery Guide / Guía de la Galería
Download a copy of our Gallery Guide or pick one up when you visit! This postcard is packed with ways you can explore this exhibition further, including an art-making activity and a link to a slideshow about Miguel’s artwork.
Descargue una copia de nuestra guía de la galería o recoja una cuando visite. Esta postal está repleta de formas en que puede explorar más esta exposición, incluida una actividad de creación de arte y un enlace a una presentación de diapositivas sobre la obra de arte de Miguel.
Download in EnglishDescargar en Español

Chandler Contigo: Charcoal Drawing with Miguel Angel Godoy
2021-10-06 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Phoenix) | Chandler Museum, 300 S. Chandler Village Drive, Chandler, AZ, 85226
Experiment with powdered charcoal and alcohol ink! Miguel Angel Godoy will be leading a drawing class at the Chandler Museum for kids age 6 – 16 in conjunction with his exhibition Abstracting Identity at the Chandler Center for the Arts. The event is brought to you by Chandler Contigo, Chandler Public Library and the Vision Gallery. Registration is required. The Chandler Museum is at 300 S. Chandler Village Drive.
Image: Death-Loss-Love by Miguel Angel Godoy
Register with Chandler Public LibrarySponsored by Chandler Contigo

A Peculiar Nature: Artwork by Christy Puetz and Rebecca Blume Rothman
2021-10-09 - 2021-11-13 | Vision Gallery, 10 E Chicago St, Chandler, AZ, 85225, United States
Floating between familiar animals and unknown species, the creatures depicted in Christy Puetz and Rebecca Blume Rothman’s work capture the viewer’s imagination. In this colorful, provocative exhibition, these artists skillfully twist nature into unusual situations, drawing out the peculiarities and similarities between humans and animals. Through beading and tactile material, Puetz’s fantastical, anthropomorphic, sculptures play in the ambiguous space between creepy and cute, evoking a sentimentality from the creatures. Rothman’s collaged drawings add human features to wild animals, creating a surreal aesthetic that blurs the line between man and beast.
Combining the works of these two artists creates an air of ambiguity that references our own animal nature. Rather than forcing viewers to a conclusion or assumption, these artists leave room for gallery goers’ interpretations. Maybe, in the end, what you will see in these works is shaped by your own relationship with the natural world, however odd or wonderful that may be.
Virtual Reception
Saturday, October 9, 4pm
Hosted via Instagram Live @visiongalleryaz
Missed the live virtual reception? No problem! We’ve saved it to our Instagram for you to watch any time.
Watch OnlineExhibition Photos

Community Chalk Mural with Chris Jagmin
2021-10-09 14:00 - 16:00 | Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ, 85225
Stop by the terrace at the Chandler Center for the Arts for some outside, masked up, community chalk coloring! Artist Christopher Jagmin has created a 10’ x 20’ chalk outline on the terrace, and we are looking for Chandlerites of all ages to come and help color in the lines. Stay for 15 minutes or the whole two hours. Bring a friend, bring a mask, we’ll provide the chalk. While you’re in the area, you can also visit Christopher’s colorful banners hanging outside Chandler City Hall.
RSVP

Make it: Perler Bead Creatures
2021-10-21 17:00 - 19:00 | The Sleepy Whale, 290 S Arizona Ave, Chandler, AZ, 85225, United States
Stop by the Sleepy Whale on Thursday, Oct 21 from 5 to 7pm to grab a drink and create your own fantastical creature from fusible Perler Beads! This MAKE IT event for all artistic ability levels is inspired by the Vision Gallery exhibition, A Peculiar Nature. Templates and all supplies will be provided, but participants are encouraged to imagine their own creative animal design. All ages welcome.
This is a free, drop-in activity. RSVPs are appreciated so we can prepare supplies.

RegisterAbout the Exhibiton
Floating between familiar animals and unknown species, the creatures depicted in Christy Puetz and Rebecca Blume Rothman’s work capture the viewer’s imagination. In this colorful, provocative exhibition, these artists skillfully twist nature into unusual situations, drawing out the peculiarities and similarities between humans and animals.
Learn More

Break Dancing with Godoyski
2021-10-23 13:00 - 14:30 | Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ, 85225
Parents, do your kids enjoy hip-hop and learning new dance moves? Breakdancing with Godoyski may be the class for them! On October 23rd join artist Miguel Godoy aka Godoyski in this fun and educational class that’s all about hip-hop, movement, and most importantly, break dancing. In this high-energy class, kids will have the opportunity to learn some elementary break dancing moves as well as a little bit about the history of this dance genre. This event is presented in conjunction with Abstracting Identity: Artwork by Miguel Godoy. Class offered at no charge for kids age 6-16, limit 15. This class will take place in-person at the Chandler Center for the Arts in the Bogle Theater. Sign up at the button below!
RegisterAbout the Exhibition
While you’re at the Chandler Center for the Arts, check out Miguel Godoy’s exhibition, Abstracting Identity! As a Chicano kid growing up in a military family, Miguel Angel Godoy struggled to find a community as he moved from base to base. That changed when he was introduced to Hip-Hop culture and the breaking (breakdancing) cypher, where he found a community to connect to. Over time, Godoy’s interests evolved from breaking and graffiti to mural art, which led him to pursue an MFA in Painting and Drawing at ASU. As he navigated his MFA program and identity formation as a graduate student, his canvases morphed from square to round, emulating the circular breaking cypher where he felt most at home. Abstracting Identity at the Chandler Center for the Arts presents Godoy’s ongoing exploration of who he is and where he belongs.
Learn More

CANCELLED - Art Social: Monster Dolls with Abby Aspen
2021-10-28 18:00 - 19:30 | Vision Gallery, 10 E Chicago St, Chandler, AZ, 85225, United States
Grown-ups, it’s time to stretch those creative muscles! You asked and we listened: Art Social is our brand-new quarterly workshop series for adults. Let loose, learn something new, and take home a piece of your own handiwork.
This October, design and make your own stuffed “monster” doll! Participants will learn the basics of making a stuffed toy as they create their own spooky (or not-so-spooky) companion. Artist Abby Aspen will lead this class for students ages 18+.
This casual 1.5 hour class doesn’t require any prior knowledge or skill, and all materials are included in the $25 class fee. Best of all, you get to create your own unique piece of art! Sign up via the button below.
Register Here

Art Quilts XXVI: Stitching Stories
2021-11-20 - 2022-01-08 | Vision Gallery, 10 E Chicago St, Chandler, AZ, 85225, United States
Jo Thomas, [camp]
Quilts and storytelling have always been interwoven. From construction and deconstruction to concept, purpose, culture and history, quilts are blanketed in the oral tradition. They have long been a way for people to commemorate feelings and memories in a medium that holds cultural significance.
The quilts in this exhibition tell family stories, utilitarian stories, stories of love and heartbreak, stories of history, and much more. Their narratives can be found in the imagery of the quilt, the process in which it was made, or the significance of design or purpose. No matter the method of creation, each one has a story to share.
This year, our beloved annual exhibition was juried by the venerable artist, quilter, documentarian, and educator, Ellen Blalock, whose work focuses on giving voices to people and communities who need their stories told. It features 64 story quilts made by 53 artists from all over the country, and is on display at both Vision Gallery and the Chandler Center for the Arts. Visit both venues to experience the full exhibition!
Exhibiting Artists
Karen Adams, Lisa Marie Barber, Mary Beth Bellah, Boisali Biswas, Betty Busby, Patricia Charity, Holly Cole, Linda Colsh, Annemarie Comes, Gerrie Congdon, Shannon Conley, Vicki Conley, Louise Davis (Davis), Deb Deaton, Sandra Townsend Donabed, Diane English, Laurie Fagen, Jayne Bentley Gaskins, Claire Gimber, Nancy Green, Barbara Hall, Marla Hattabaugh, LeAnn Hileman, Janet Hiller, Barbara Jakucki, Marie Shirley-Jones, Asake Denise Jones, Patty Kennedy-Zafred, Anne King, Kathy Knapp, Ingrid Lincoln, Valerie Maser-Flanagan, Linda McCurry, Margot McDonnell, Amanda Miller, Carol Miraben, Anne Moats, Frances Murphy, Kathy Nida, Frauke Palmer, Janet Pugh, Wen Redmond, Judith Roderick, Shelley Rothgeb, Brenda H Smith, Aimee Smythe, Jo Thomas, Ann Turley, Mary Vaneecke, Claire Victor, Shelly White, Sally Gould Wright, Heidi Zielinski
About the Juror
Ellen M. Blalock started quilting over 20 years ago to replace what was taken from her family. As a narrative artist and documentarian, she works in several mediums: quilting, photography, film/video, and drawing. Her main goal is to tell the stories of people that have been marginalized. She is particularly interested in female identity and power and the African diaspora.
Originally from Philadelphia, PA, Blalock now lives in Syracuse, NY. She has a B.F.A. from Temple University and M.F.A. from Syracuse University. She lectures on art/quilting, race and social issues. She has taught art history and studio arts at colleges and universities: Syracuse University, Georgia Southern University, Georgia College & State University, and Onondaga Community College.
Her art quilts have been exhibited in several solo and group exhibitions, including: Gibbs Museum, Charleston, SC; Bundy Museum, Binghamton, NY; Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, Auburn, NY; Natural History Museum, Los Angeles, CA; The African American Museum, Philadelphia, PA and Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse, NY.
Blalock has received several awards, grants, fellowships and residencies and she serves on the Syracuse Public Arts Commission.
Ellen M. Blalock gave a virtual artist talk on her work and studio practice on Thursday, December 2, 2021.
Watch Recorded TalkExhibition Catalog
Not able to make it in person to see Art Quilts XXVI: Stitching Stories or just want something to remember it by? Our catalog for this show is now available to order online as a print-on-demand book. The catalog features detailed photos of every quilt, as well as artist statements and installation views of the gallery.
Purchase CatalogExhibition Photos

Artist Talk - Quilting Stories: The Narrative and the Design
2021-12-02 17:30 - 18:30 | AZ
Left: Ellen M. Blalock, Bang Bang You Dead, quilt, commercial cotton fabric, 2019, 44″ x 43”
Right: Ellen M. Blalock, Middle Passage: America’s Legacy, quilt, hand painted silk and nonwoven pellon on canvas, 2020, 56 ¼” x 52”
Join fiber artist Ellen M. Blalock for a virtual artist talk on Thursday, December 2 at 5:30pm MST! Blalock will share how she develops her ideas into quilts, with the discussion focusing on recent work she has completed in the last two years and the quilts she is currently working on in her studio. Blalock is the juror for this year’s Art Quilts exhibition at Vision Gallery and the Chandler Center for the Arts, Stitching Stories.
Watch recorded talkEllen M. Blalock started quilting over 20 years ago to replace what was taken from her family. As a narrative artist and documentarian, she works in several mediums: quilting, photography, film/video, and drawing. Her main goal is to tell the stories of people that have been marginalized. She is particularly interested in female identity and power and the African diaspora.
Originally from Philadelphia, PA, Blalock now lives in Syracuse, NY. She has a B.F.A. from Temple University and M.F.A. from Syracuse University. She lectures on art/quilting, race and social issues. She has taught art history and studio arts at colleges and universities: Syracuse University, Georgia Southern University, Georgia College & State University, and Onondaga Community College.
Her art quilts have been exhibited in several solo and group exhibitions, including: Gibbs Museum, Charleston, SC; Bundy Museum, Binghamton, NY; Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, Auburn, NY; Natural History Museum, Los Angeles, CA; The African American Museum, Philadelphia, PA and Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse, NY.
Blalock has received several awards, grants, fellowships and residencies and she serves on the Syracuse Public Arts Commission. You can learn more about her via her website.

Holiday Shopping Event
2021-12-10 17:00 - 19:00 | Vision Gallery, 10 E Chicago St, Chandler, AZ, 85225, United States
Slay your shopping list and support the arts in Chandler by stopping by the Vision Gallery for this special evening shopping event. Find unique artist-created jewelry, ceramics, ornaments and more for everyone on your list. Enjoy hot chocolate and special treats as your browse through gift-giving delights.

Hattitude: Diego Perez
2022-01-15 - 2022-03-26 | Vision Gallery, 10 E Chicago St, Chandler, AZ, 85225, United States
While humor plays an essential role in Diego Perez’s artistic practice, the details and skill in his work are no laughing matter. For this body of work, Perez updates his Baroque style by incorporating everyday contemporary objects into the images. With each brushstroke, Perez’s imagination runs more and more wild as he moves between depicting canaries to traffic cones to everything in between. While the hats portray a sense of absurdity and levity, the faces of the subjects reveal a sense of humanity, making them relatable and accessible to viewers. Further, these hats as fashion statements do not seem that strange compared to Green Bay Packer cheeseheads, Kentucky Derby fascinators, or even Mickey Mouse ears. Perez’s hats serve up familiar flair with fresh attitude.
Si bien el humor juega un papel esencial en la práctica artística de Diego Pérez, los detalles y la habilidad en su obra no son motivo de risa. Para este cuerpo de trabajo, Pérez actualiza su estilo barroco incorporando objetos contemporáneos cotidianos en las imágenes. Con cada pincelada, la imaginación de Pérez se vuelve cada vez más salvaje a medida que se mueve entre representar canarios a conos de tráfico y otra multitud de cosas. Mientras que los sombreros representan una sensación de lo absurdo y la frivolidad, los rostros de los sujetos revelan un sentido de humanidad, haciéndolos reconocibles y accesibles para los espectadores. Además, estas declaraciones de la moda no parecen ser tan extrañas en comparación con las cabezas de queso del equipo Green Bay Packer, los sombreritos fascinadores del Derby de Kentucky, o hasta las orejas de Mickey Mouse. Los sombreros de Pérez sirven un estilo familiar con una actitud fresca.

Opening Reception
Friday, January 14, 6-8pm
Join us for an in-person reception celebrating Hattitude: Diego Perez. RSVP below.
The safety of our staff and community is our highest priority. We will be following the CDC’s recommended protocol to lower our risk for COVID-19:
– Masks and social distancing have enabled us to open our doors to you for this in-person event. We request that all attendees wear a well-fitting mask over their nose and mouth while inside the building, regardless of vaccination status.
– Hand sanitizer will be provided.
– If anyone in your household is not feeling well, we would ask that you refrain from attending this event.
RSVP HereAbout the Artist / Sobre el Artista
Diego Pérez (1987) is a Mexican artist focused on humor, irony, and traditional techniques. He started painting as a teenager and studied his Bachelor degree in the Art School La Esmeralda, the best Mexican art institution, that was founded in 1927 by Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and other Mexican artists. His formative influence is Caravaggio and Rembrandt’s Baroque. Pérez has been living and producing in Phoenix for several years, he has been recognized and awarded on several occasions. For example, in 2017 he won the first place in the international exhibition Conceptions Arts in Los Angeles, and the first place in the juried exhibition The Sunniest Place in Earth by The Yuma Art Center, and he has been awarded twice by Carmody Foundation Art for Good Project. Now, he is working on a Valley Metro commission. He has designed four major metal structures for the South Extension of the Light Rail in the Broadway/Central station in Phoenix.
As a Mexican immigrant in Phoenix, his visual narrative has evolved through the years. He had been more concerned with displaying his cultural heritage through a colorful and vibrant eclecticism that incorporates Indigenous and Latino influence but also related to American culture. He looks for new popular icons that inspire people to inquire about their own environment and space.
Diego Pérez (1987) es un artista mexicano enfocado en el humor, la ironía, y las técnicas tradicionales. Él comenzó a pintar cuando era adolescente y obtuvo su licenciatura en la Escuela de Arte La Esmeralda, la mejor institución mexicana de arte, que fue fundada en 1927 por Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo y otros artistas mexicanos. Su influencia formativa es el barroco de Caravaggio y Rembrandt. Pérez ha estado viviendo y produciendo en Phoenix durante varios años, ha sido reconocido y premiado en varias ocasiones. Por ejemplo, en 2017 se ganó el primer lugar en la exposición Conceptions Arts en Los Ángeles, y el primer lugar en la exposición con jurado The Sunniest Place in Earth por The Yuma Art Center, y ha sido galardonado dos veces por la fundación Carmody Foundation Art por Buen Proyecto. Ahora, él está trabajando en una comisión para Valley Metro. Ha diseñado cuatro estructuras metálicas grandes para la Extensión Sur del Tren Ligero en la estación Broadway/Central en Phoenix.
Como inmigrante mexicano en Phoenix, su narrativa visual ha evolucionado a través de los años. Él se había preocupado más por mostrar su herencia cultural a través de un eclecticismo colorido y vibrante que incorpora la influencia indígena y latina, pero que también está relacionado con la cultura estadounidense. Él busca nuevos íconos populares que inspiren a las personas a preguntarse sobre su propio entorno y espacio.
Exhibition Photos

Creative Drive: 2021 Traffic Control Box Artists
2022-01-15 - 2022-03-26 | Vision Gallery, 10 E Chicago St, Chandler, AZ, 85225, United States
Image by Yuke Li
With Creative Drive, we are bringing art from the streets of Chandler into the gallery! To celebrate the 16 new traffic control box wraps we installed in 2021, we invited the participating artists to exhibit an artwork at Vision Gallery. The resulting exhibition is one that illustrates the range of creative talent in this project that celebrates the vibrancy and welcoming attitude of Chandler.
Opening Reception
Friday, January 14, 6-8pm
Join us for an in-person reception celebrating Creative Drive!
The safety of our staff and community is our highest priority. We will be following the CDC’s recommended protocol to lower our risk for COVID-19:
– Masks and social distancing have enabled us to open our doors to you for this in-person event. We request that all attendees wear a well-fitting mask over their nose and mouth while inside the building, regardless of vaccination status.
– Hand sanitizer will be provided.
– If anyone in your household is not feeling well, we would ask that you refrain from attending this event.
Exhibition Photos

Radical Happiness: Lex Gjurasic
2022-01-15 - 2022-04-15 | Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ, 85225
Over the last year and a half, the pandemic has left many people in emotional limbo. As a result, many have sought out coping mechanisms both old and new. Tucson-based artist Lex Gjurasic has stayed buoyant by continuing to do what she has been doing for decades—creating art at an extraordinarily prolific pace. Gjurasic’s recent Flower Mounds series hearkens back to her childhood, when she found herself in the hospital quite often and soothed herself by obsessively getting lost in the inner world of her imagination. As an adult, she now activates her passion for drawing flowers to combat anxiety, which propels her practice and improves her mental health. Through her obsessive process, Gjurasic actively strives towards radical happiness and hopes that others might also find levity and a path to joy – so c’mon and get happy, y’all!
Exhibition Programming
Make and Take: Painted Flower Pots
Saturday, February 26, 1-3pm
Chandler Center for the Arts
On Saturday, February 26 from 1-3pm, meet artist Lex Gjurasic and paint your own flower pot inspired by Radical Happiness at the Chandler Center for the Arts! Once your pot is painted, representatives with the Maricopa Native Seed Library will help you plant it with seeds for a native plant to take home. All ages welcome, and all supplies provided. This activity is self-led and first come, first serve until supplies run out.
This event is inspired by Radical Happiness by Lex Gjurasic, which showcases Gjurasic’s colorful art that she makes to improve her mental health. Come meet the artist and see the exhibition during this fun event!
RSVPArtist Talk with Lex Gjurasic: Finding Levity through Creativity
Thursday, March 31, 5:30pm MST
Virtual via Zoom
Get a peek inside Radical Happiness artist Lex Gjurasic’s head! On Thursday, March 31 at 5:30pm Gjurasic will host a virtual artist talk sharing insights about her creative process, material techniques, and using artwork as a meditative, therapeutic practice. This event is free and will take place via Zoom. Please register at the button below to receive the link to participate.
RegisterExhibition Photos

Make and Take: Wacky Hats
2022-01-29 11:00 - 13:00 | Vision Gallery, 10 E Chicago St, Chandler, AZ, 85225, United States
This Saturday, come see Hattitude: Diego Perez at Vision Gallery and then make your own wacky paper hat inspired by the show! We’ll have everything you need to make the kooky hat of your dreams for you to take home, including folding instructions and decorating supplies. This is a free, drop-in activity for all ages that is self-led, and registration is not required. However, please RSVP at the button below so that we can gauge attendance.
RSVP

Make and Take: Painted Flower Pots
2022-02-26 13:00 - 15:00 | Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ, 85225
On Saturday, February 26 from 1-3pm, meet artist Lex Gjurasic and paint your own flower pot inspired by Radical Happiness at the Chandler Center for the Arts! Once your pot is painted, representatives with the Maricopa Native Seed Library will help you plant it with seeds for a native plant to take home. All ages welcome, and all supplies provided. This activity is self-led and first come, first serve until supplies run out.
This event is inspired by Radical Happiness by Lex Gjurasic, which showcases Gjurasic’s colorful art that she makes to improve her mental health. Come meet the artist and see the exhibition during this fun event!
RSVPMeet Artist Lex Gjurasic
Artist Lex Gjurasic will be present at this event to meet you and talk about her exhibition!
Over the last year and a half, the pandemic has left many people in emotional limbo. As a result, many have sought out coping mechanisms both old and new. Tucson-based artist Lex Gjurasic has stayed buoyant by continuing to do what she has been doing for decades—creating art at an extraordinarily prolific pace. Gjurasic’s recent Flower Mounds series hearkens back to her childhood, when she found herself in the hospital quite often and soothed herself by obsessively getting lost in the inner world of her imagination. As an adult, she now activates her passion for drawing flowers to combat anxiety, which propels her practice and improves her mental health. Through her obsessive process, Gjurasic actively strives towards radical happiness and hopes that others might also find levity and a path to joy – so c’mon and get happy, y’all!
Learn MoreAbout the Maricopa Native Seed Library
The Maricopa Native Seed Library provides free native seed to the community through four locations at the Maricopa Community Colleges. By providing seed, education and outreach, our goal is to help the public incorporate native plants into their landscapes to create habitat at home.
Learn More

Artist Talk with Lex Gjurasic: Finding Levity through Creativity
2022-03-31 17:30 - 18:30 | Virtual
Get a peek inside Radical Happiness artist Lex Gjurasic’s head! On Thursday, March 31 at 5:30pm Gjurasic will host a virtual artist talk sharing insights about her creative process, material techniques, and using artwork as a meditative, therapeutic practice. This event is free and will take place via Zoom. Please RSVP at the button below to receive the link to participate.
RSVP

Chasing Ghosts
2022-04-02 - 2022-06-18 | Vision Gallery, 10 E Chicago St, Chandler, AZ, 85225, United States
Image by Kaitlin Jencso
Grief is a messy, complicated and sometimes beautiful part of life. It is often hard to understand grief’s nuances until you are in the throes of it yourself. However, for the past two years, many of us have been collectively grieving a variety of losses: jobs, loved ones, and maybe even life as we knew it. From despair to anger to hope, we have been going through all the stages of grief. As we slowly transition out of this phase of history, many people are looking to understand their experience better. How does one heal from grief in a healthy way? How do you mourn for someone who hasn’t yet passed? How do you deal with a sudden loss? How do you move on without forgetting? For this exhibition, artists both near and far explore different points of the grieving process. Each of the artists is cathartically working through their emotions; trying to answer these questions while continuing their practice.
The Vision Gallery wants to extend a heartfelt thank you to the artists and their families who were willing to share their stories with us. Grief is an incredibly personal experience, and we hope that this exhibition will be cathartic for those that may be struggling.
Exhibiting artists: Mikey Estes, Kaitlin Jencso, Daniel Kim, Serge J-F. Levy, and Jen Urso
Exhibition Photos

CUSD 2022
2022-04-20 - 2022-05-12 | Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ, 85225
Chandler Unified School District’s most gifted artists put their work on display for the community to experience in this annual showcase. The burgeoning artists from Basha, Hamilton, Perry, Arizona College Prep, Casteel and Chandler high schools display their talents and viewpoints through paintings, drawings, sculptures, jewelry, and photographs. With over 100 works on display, there is always something for everyone in this exhibition.

Images from left to right: Jacy Fuller, ACP; Jacquie Augustine, Hamilton High; Macine Johnson, Perry High; Emily Shields, Perry High; Brielle Edwards , Basha High; Abbey Alevizon, Hamilton High; Elizabeth Kearney, Chandler High; Anjali Shenoy, Perry High

Moving through Grief with Art
2022-04-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Vision Gallery, 10 E Chicago St, Chandler, AZ, 85225, United States
The Artists’ Grief Deck is a tool developed by local artist, educator and end-of-life doula Adriene Jenik in collaboration with Artists’ Literacies Institute (ALI). In response to the COVID pandemic and a recognized unmet need for grief support during a time of physical distancing, Jenik and ALI crowd-sourced artwork and grief “prompts” to make the deck (which was first published in Dec 2020) to assist people from all ages and backgrounds to move with and through grief.
Offered as part of the Chasing Ghosts programming, this brief gathering/workshop by Jenik will relate the story of the Artists’ Grief Deck and her work as an end-of-life doula, and will lead the group in an art-making exercise inspired by the deck.
RSVP Here

Out of the Blue
2022-05-21 - 2022-07-30 | Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ, 85225
(Left) Jeny Davis, Brittlebush Whirl, Cyanotype with alterations, 2020, 12″ x 16″
(Right) Sami Lange, A Beautiful Life, Paper, dye, thread & tape, 2021, 20″ x 20″
It’s a cool, cool summer. Okay, maybe not in Phoenix, but this summer the Chandler Center for the Arts invited artists from across Arizona to submit cool-tone artwork for our annual open call exhibition. As a reprieve from the brutal summers here in the Valley of the Sun, we are exhibiting artwork of all kinds, from photographs to installations, that spotlight the color blue.
Exhibiting Artists
Amanda Adkins, Bailey Anderson, John Bedard, Bjorn Bengtsson, Janet Blumenthal, Bonnie Bobman, Serena Brown, Jacey Coca, Dennis L. Collins, Annemarie Comes, Barbara Kemp Cowlin, Catina Crum, Jeny Davis, Lee Davis, Kaden Bard Dawson, Talia J. Dudley, Laurie Fagen, Michael Feather, Fausto Fernandez, Edgar Fernandez, Jerome Fleming, Leilani Gastelum, Jo Ho, Barbara Jakucki, Megan Johnson, Veralyn E. Johnson, Janet Keller, Sami Lange, Sandra Luehrsen, Stacy Marko, Angela Masker, Kathryn Maxwell, Abbey Messmer, Kristen Miologos, Kara Moore, Allison Moyers, Navi Naisang, Rafael Navarro, Hedda Neelsen, Elizabeth Z. Pineda, Tania Ritko, Leanne Smith, Aimee Smythe, Yasmine Spaulding, Ellen Strecker, Tashina Sydney Knight, Hannah Thomas, Charmagne Vasquez, Brianna Voron, Shoreigh Williams, Elizabeth Wittke, Jeremy Yocum
Gallery Guide
Take a closer look at this exhibit with our Out of the Blue Gallery Guide! This interactive postcard features 4 activities to do on your own or with friends and family that are all inspired by the subject matter of this show. Download and print a copy at home or pick up a copy for free at the Chandler Center for the Arts for the duration of the show.
DownloadExhibition Photos

Make and Take: Sand Bottle Art
2022-06-04 11:00 - 13:00 | Vision Gallery, 10 E Chicago St, Chandler, AZ, 85225, United States
Come make sand art exploring your emotions! This activity is inspired by our current exhibition, Chasing Ghosts. Choose colors of sand that represent your emotions and then make beautiful shapes as you pour layers of sand into a keepsake bottle to take home. This is a free, drop-in activity for all ages that is self-led, and registration is not required. However, please RSVP so that we can gauge attendance.
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Make and Take: Cyanotypes
2022-06-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ, 85225
Use the cyanotype blueprinting process to make a found-object photogram! This activity is inspired by our current exhibition, Out of the Blue. Assemble your design on pre-coated fabric and expose to sunlight, then watch the brilliant blue background appear when the print is washed! This is a free activity for all ages. Please register for a 10-minute slot to reserve your arrival time.
This event will take place at the Chandler Center for the Arts.
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Melting Point: Artisans of Bollinger Atelier
2022-06-25 - 2022-08-20 | Vision Gallery, 10 E Chicago St, Chandler, AZ, 85225, United States
Bradley Corso, Temptation
Fine art foundry Bollinger Atelier has transformed artists’ visions into reality since 1997. From Ed Mell’s Jack Knife in Scottsdale to Chandler’s AJ Chandler and Frank Lloyd Wright, the atelier’s output has touched the visual culture of many cities across the Valley. Over the past 25 years Bollinger has become a trusted partner for artists worldwide, including Tom Sachs, Kiki Smith, Lynda Benglis, Wendell Castle, Louise Bourgeois, and many more.
The heart of Bollinger Atelier is its roster of highly-trained artisans, nearly all of whom are also working artists. In addition to the advanced technical feats staff complete for clients, they are encouraged to produce their own sculpture using the Atelier facilities. As a result of this close-knit creative community, Bollinger Atelier fosters a thriving culture of artistic creation.
This show represents the breadth and talent of the artisans of Bollinger Atelier.
Exhibiting Artists
James Porter Allred, Christian Bell, Bradley Corso, Nicole Davy, Daniel J. Easley, Rebecca Emily, Olin Fritz, Hailey Hatch, Dan Lewis, Chris Luper, Ronald Lyons II, Hanna Makkonen, Daniel Mariotti, Adam E. Mendelsohn, Kim Nikolaev, Alfonso Salgado, Matt Weber, Vanessa Windes
Curated by Tom Bollinger
Gallery Guide
Dive in to Melting Point with our Gallery Guide! This printable postcard features links to behind-the-scenes photos of the sculptures in this show being created, a scavenger hunt activity to do in the gallery, a craft to do at home, and a discussion question. Printed copies are available for free at Vision Gallery during the duration of the show.
DownloadInstall Photos

Make and Take: Custom Crayons
2022-07-16 11:00 - 13:00 | Vision Gallery, 10 E Chicago St, Chandler, AZ, 85225, United States
Make a wacky new crayons in fun shapes by melting down old, discarded crayons! This activity is inspired by our current exhibition, Melting Point: Artisans of Bollinger Atelier. Choose what colors to combine and then melt them down in a silicone mold to take home a brand-new crayon shaped like a letter, caterpillar, saguaro, and more. This is a free activity for all ages. Please register for a 10-minute slot to reserve your arrival time.
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Art Social: Block Printing with LivMakesPrints
2022-07-30 10:00 - 12:00 | Vision Gallery, 10 E Chicago St, Chandler, AZ, 85225, United States
Learn the basics of relief printmaking! Carve your own design on a small linoleum block and use it to print repeated patterns on a greeting card. Materials for two small blocks and three greeting cards are included in registration. Led by Olivia Yuen of LivMakesPrints. Beginners welcome!
This casual 2 hour class doesn’t require any prior knowledge or skill, and all materials are included in the $25 class fee. Best of all, you get to create your own unique piece of art!
RegisterAbout the Artist
Olivia Yuen creates block prints inspired by a variety of subject matter including botany, the Arizona desert, and her unique biracial (Mexican + Chinese) heritage. Each print begins as an original drawing, which is then transferred onto a block of linoleum. The negative space areas of the design are then carefully carved out. Once fully carved, each block is inked using oil based relief printing inks and hand-pressed with a baren to ensure all areas of the design are printed evenly on the paper. This method of printing by hand allows for subtle differences to emerge in the prints — giving each one an organic, handmade touch.
In addition to creating printed works, Olivia is an art teacher in Phoenix. Sharing her passion for the arts with others plays a significant role, and Olivia teaches linocut printmaking workshops at local art studio, Sunshine Craft Company. You can find her work available online via her website and Etsy store, or locally at Palabras Bilingual Bookstore, the Tempe Center for the Arts gift shop, the Vision Gallery Gift Shop, Practical Art, and a variety of other markets and events across the central Phoenix area.

Michelle Emami: Both, Neither and All of the Above
2022-08-05 - 2022-10-15 | Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ, 85225
For mixed-race people, filling out your ethnic or racial background on a form can be a daunting task. Since the year 2000, Americans have been allowed to select multiple racial identities on the U.S. Census; however, on many other standard forms, you are usually forced to choose just one. While some forms have a box for “two or more races,” this option negates all racial identity, equating your race to “other”. Understanding and celebrating a wide variety of cultural backgrounds should be commonplace in America: why are we not making space for that on the most basic of platforms?
Mexican/Iranian artist Michelle Emami decided to use her artwork as a space to celebrate her mixed heritage. In Both, Neither and All of the Above, Emami explores both her Iranian and Mexican heritages through motifs and cultural symbols drawn from both cultures. Her work also confronts the negativity and profound prejudices she has experienced within her communities. She reflects on instances where she felt neither Mexican nor Iranian, and sometimes not even American. Yet with each work that explores different aspects of her identity, Emami asserts that she is not just one race or another, nor is she simply the sum of her parents’ cultures: she is unapologetically all of the above. This exhibition aims to celebrate her multicultural background and encourages others to take pride in their identity.
Closing Reception
Saturday, October 15, 3 – 5pm
Meet artist Michelle Emami and enjoy live music, refreshments and a special art-making activity!
RSVPGallery Guide
Dive in to Both, Neither and All of the Above with our Gallery Guide! This printable postcard features a link to a presentation exploring the themes of the show, puzzle activities, a craft to do at home, and a discussion question. Printed copies are available for free at the Chandler Center for the Arts for the duration of the show.
Download and PrintVirtual Artist Talk
Thursday, September 22, 5:30pm
Join Michelle Emami and Vision Gallery curator Jillian Nakornthap for this virtual artist talk to hear Emami discuss her work!
RegisterExhibition Photos

Make and Take: Painted Tiles
2022-08-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ, 85225
Make a colorful decorative tile inspired by Talavera and Islamic tile designs! This activity is inspired by our current exhibition, Michelle Emami: Both, Neither, and All of the Above. Use stencils to paint colorful custom designs on a tile to use for decoration or as a coaster. This is a free activity for all ages. Please register at the button below.
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Inward Shift/Outward Gaze: Chelsie Tamala & Cam DeCaussin
2022-08-26 - 2022-11-10 | Vision Gallery, 10 E Chicago St, Chandler, AZ, 85225, United States
At the beginning of the pandemic, the landscape of our daily lives went through a dramatic shift. Most of us spent substantially more time in our homes. The spaces that were once a refuge from our public lives became home offices, restaurants, movie theaters, and childcare centers. As many aspects of life merged into one physical space, mothers and other caregivers felt the strain of needing to do it all. Artist and mother Chelsie Tamala felt this shift in her own life as she took care of her three kids. Each day felt like a balancing act, and as she began talking to other mothers, she realized they too were experiencing similar struggles and triumphs. Mothers is a series of paintings celebrating these strong women in their domestic spaces as they helped their families adapt to the “new normal.” While Tamala’s work gives an intimate glimpse into people’s domestic interior lives, Cam DeCaussin’s paintings take a different approach. In the Spring of 2020, nightly strolls through the neighborhood became a way to get exercise, a reason to leave the house, and one of the few ways to safely interact with others from a distance. DeCaussin took inspirations from these walks, painting eerily vacant or solitary exteriors, echoing the isolation and loneliness of that time. In both artists’ paintings, viewers can sense the stillness and introspection many felt during this time of great change, which still echoes through our lives today.
Opening Reception
Friday, August 26, 6-8pm
Enjoy artworks by Chelsie Tamala & Cam DeCaussin and share your story of how you made it through the early days of the pandemic.
RSVPGallery Guide
Dive in to Inward Shift/Outward Gaze with our Gallery Guide! This printable postcard features a link to a presentation exploring the themes of the show, puzzle activities, a craft to do at home, and a discussion question. Printed copies are available for free at Vision Gallery for the duration of the show.
Download and PrintExhibition Photos
