The mini-Jieun Park exhibition at Moen Mason is just one of six shows to visit during Summer Art Cruise. For this free annual summer event, multiple galleries in the Central Tucson Gallery Association fling open their doors during the cool of the evening, offering art, libations and other treats to land-bound art lubbers.
Besides Moen Mason's open bar at Moen Mason, Mike Dominguez's "secret recipe margarita punch" at nearby Davis Dominguez Gallery—and the occasional live entertainment: ZUZI Dance will perform for free at Raices Taller.
Here's a quick checklist of art and festivities, in addition to the Moen Mason reception.
Next door to Moen Mason, Raices Taller 222 Gallery, 218 E 6th Street, 881-5335, raicestaller222.org, stages a closing celebration for "Mujeres Mujeres Mujeres." The annual all-women art show features 90 works in media from newspapers to fabric to paint. (See "From Cradle to Grave," Tucson Weekly, May 21). The party's from 6 to 9 p.m.
ZUZI will dance inside Raices at 7 p.m., reprising work from the modern troupe's recent "Spring Concert." Artistic director Nanette Robinson promises aerial dancing: "There's a space where I can hang a trapeze." Artist Moira Marti Geoffrion made the costumes; Sally Withers will sing and recite poetry.
Sail west across Sixth Avenue to Davis Dominguez, at 54 E. Sixth St., 629-9759; www.davisdominguez.com. Some 85 artists contributed itsy-bitsy paintings and sculptures to "Small Things Considered: 23rd Small Works Invitational." Some pieces are serious, some are satirical, and some -- especially the red-faced Arpaio portrait by Alfred Quiroz—are both. The reception last just two hours, from 6 to 8 p.m. "Small Things" is up through June 27. (See "Big Ideas in Small Packages," Tucson Weekly, May 14).
One storefront west of Davis Dominguez lies Contreras Gallery, 110 E. Sixth St., 398-6557, www.contrerashousefineart.com. The reception from 6 to 9 p.m. kicks off "Drafters," a group drawing show, with 10 artists: Lester Aguirre, Michael Cajero, E.M. Contreras, Melo Dominguez, Lydia Maldonado, Ruben Urrea Moreno, Hector Perez, Teri Pursch, Tanya Rich, George Strasburger. "Drafters" stays up through June 27.
One more storefront toward the setting sun and you'll find Baker+Hesseldenz Fine Art,100 E Sixth St., 760-0037, .bakerhesseldenz.com. "First Annual Small Works Invitational," marking the contemporary gallery's first anniversary, exhibits 34 artists, including locals Kate Breakey, a photographer, and painter Chris Rush. No work is more than 12 inches square, and the subjects range "from the creepy to the quaint," writes the gallery's Scott Baker. Reception, from 6 to 9 p.m. Show is up until Sept. 25.
