Upcoming Events
Spirits of Mexico Festival - Arts & Crafts Series
Phoenix Center for the Arts and Spirits of Mexico Festival Launch Two‑Week Community Art & Crafts Series Honoring Seri Culture and Celebrating 50 Years of Phoenix–Hermosillo Sister Cities PHOENIX, AZ – February 17, 2026 – Phoenix Center for the Arts, in partnership with IMEX Live Events, producer of the Spirits of Mexico Festival, proudly announce a two‑week community arts and crafts series celebrating creativity, culture, and the 50‑year sister‑city relationship between Phoenix, Arizona, and Hermosillo, Sonora. As part of its 2026 vision, Phoenix Center for the Arts is elevating cultural programming to match the depth, thoughtfulness, and excellence long demonstrated in its arts opportunities, expanding access points for the community to learn, create, and connect through shared cultural experiences. The workshops will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026 and Friday, March 13, 2026, from 5:30pm to 7:00pm at Phoenix Center for the Arts. Participants of all ages are invited to create handmade decorations which will be featured during the Spirits of Mexico Festival, scheduled for March 21–22, 2026, in Downtown Phoenix. The arts and crafts sessions draw inspiration from the Seri (Comcaac) people of Sonora, honoring their deep ties to the desert, the Sea of Cortez, and their rich artistic traditions. Participants will create ribbon-based art and dream catchers that reflect Indigenous techniques, symbolism, and communal expression. No prior art experience is required. Materials are provided, and the sessions are designed to be family‑friendly, intergenerational, and community‑centered. All artwork created will contribute to the visual experience of the Spirits of Mexico Festival. “This initiative embodies everything we value at Phoenix Center for the Arts,” said Angelique N. Kane, Executive Director. “By weaving cultural learning with hands‑on creativity, we’re inviting our community to slow down, make meaning together, and honor the connections that unite our region across borders.” The Spirits of Mexico Festival will officially launch on March 17, 2026, with a special screening of the Mexican feature film La Arriera at the Third Street Theater at Phoenix Center for the Arts. Presented in partnership with the Mexican Consulate as part of its Bimonthly Cultural Program, the event includes a brief post‑film community conversation. La Arriera (2025), directed and produced by Isabel Cristina Fregoso, is a Spanish‑language drama set in the 1930s Sierra of Jalisco. The 1h 43m feature follows a young girl who disguises herself as a muleteer in search of her father, embarking on a transformative journey that explores identity, gender, memory, and personal freedom. Kickoff Event Schedule – March 17 4:00 – 4:30 PM | Press Conference & Festival Launch 4:30 – 4:45 PM | Transition / Guest Seating 4:45 – 6:28 PM | Film Screening 6:28 PM | Closing & Informal Conversation
First Friday at Thunderbird Arts Center
🎲 First Friday Activation at Thunderbird Arts Center! 🧩 February 6, 2026 | 6–8PM | Thunderbird Arts Center Kick off your weekend with community, creativity, and a little friendly competition! Join us Every First Friday from 6–8 PM for Board Game & Puzzle Night at Thunderbird Arts Center. Bring your friends, your family, or just your love of games—there’s something for everyone. Come play, connect, and unwind. This activation is presented by Phoenix Center for the Arts through our p(ART)icipate initiative — generously funded in part by the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust and the Stardust Foundation. hashtag#PhoenixCenterForTheArts hashtag#ThunderbirdArtsCenter hashtag#February hashtag#FirstFriday hashtag#pARTicipate
Friday Nite Workshop: “Landscapes in a Snap” with Nancy Troupe
Unleash your creativity in this vibrant acrylic painting workshop, where participants will be guided step-by-step to complete a colorful seascape in just three hours. Designed for those with some painting experience but welcoming to beginners, this class offers a supportive environment to learn and create. All materials, including canvas, are provided—just bring your enthusiasm and leave with a piece you’ll be proud to display!
Friday Nite Workshop: “Wading Into Watercolors” with Brian Diskin
Discover the fundamentals of watercolor painting in this engaging workshop designed for all skill levels. Participants will explore a variety of materials, learn essential techniques, and dive into color mixing concepts. For those with experience, the instructor may offer tips to help break unhelpful habits and refine your practice. Expect a lively, hands-on session—no dry material here (pun intended)! Topics we’ll try to cover: Brief overview of materials and equipment Mixing the paint Mixing the colors (Yep, there is a skill to both!) Prepping the paper Applying the paint Making mistakes — Go with the flow Techniques — Well, aren’t you fancy!
Friday Nite Workshop: “Personal Mosaics” with Kate Cross
Preserve a memory or tell a story through glass in this creative mosaic workshop! Participants will arrange small personal items on a ceramic base and surround them with colorful glass tesserae to create a one-of-a-kind piece. All materials—including ceramic bases, glass, and grout—are provided. Just bring a few small treasures (1"–1.5") with rigid surfaces that can get wet, and get ready to make something meaningful and beautiful!
Friday Nite Workshop: “Seas the Day: Acrylic Adventure” with Nancy Troupe
Unleash your creativity in this vibrant acrylic painting workshop, where participants will be guided step-by-step to complete a colorful seascape in just three hours. Designed for those with some painting experience but welcoming to beginners, this class offers a supportive environment to learn and create. All materials, including canvas, are provided—just bring your enthusiasm and leave with a piece you’ll be proud to display!