The West Valley Arts Council, a nonprofit headquartered in Surprise and serving communities across the West Valley, including Goodyear, is turning up the temperature with its latest Arts HQ Gallery exhibit, "Art Under Fire."
The show features 90 works by more than 30 Arizona artists, all created using heat-based processes.
Curated by Gallery Director Daisy Brady, the exhibit highlights a variety of mediums, including ceramics, fused glass, encaustic wax, Lichtenberg fractal burns, and welded sculptures.
“Appropriately timed for the Arizona summer, 'Art Under Fire' is an ironic, clever exhibit for those seeking to escape the heat,” said Brady. “The exhibit will feature artwork baked in a kiln, melted, welded, torched or electrified.”
One featured artist is Bill Battaglia of Sun City, whose work includes sculptures formed by pouring molten glass and copper into sand. The exhibit includes both the finished pieces and a video demonstrating his process.
The front of the gallery will host an exposition of ceramic work by Dr. Robert Benson, a local potter and retired educator with a 25-year career in Arizona public schools. His contributions include ceramic vessels and sculptural forms created using traditional techniques and alternative firing methods such as raku, sager and pit firing.
“As an artist and former teacher, I strive to make our exhibits unique, fun and educational,” Brady said. “I wanted to introduce examples of art techniques visitors may have never seen and present artists who had the courage to experiment with these interesting artforms.”
An opening reception will be held Friday, June 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. Admission is free, and attendees will have the opportunity to meet featured artists.
“We have featured ceramicists and glass artists in this exhibit with decades of experience,” Brady said. “Our receptions not only celebrate the artwork, but also provide opportunities for emerging artists, patrons and students to meet professional artists from their own community.”
"Art Under Fire" runs through July 31 at the Arts HQ Gallery, located at 16126 N. Civic Center Plaza, Suite 102, in Surprise. The gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, with donations encouraged. Most of the artwork is available for purchase, and the gallery’s gift shop offers jewelry, pottery, prints and other keepsakes.
The Arts HQ Gallery is operated by the West Valley Arts Council, which has supported arts programming in cities like Goodyear, Peoria and Avondale since 1969. The council offers youth arts initiatives, public art installations and exhibition opportunities for both emerging and professional artists.
Visit WestValleyArts.org for more information.