Glow Up @SMoCA, a new series of self-care and wellness programs at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, will be held throughout the first half of 2023 in the “Phillip K. Smith III: Three Parallels” exhibition.

Other events at SMoCA in early 2023 include the return of the museum’s popular Mystery in the Museum series, free Second Saturday events and educational programming from Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation, a press release explained.

Glow Up @SMoCA is a new series advocating for self-care and supporting wellness. It features sound baths, meditation and mindful movement inside the light-based “Three Parallels” exhibition. Each session will be led by skilled practitioners, who will guide participants through meditative techniques.

“Art can be a powerful way to foster healing, so we are super excited to be launching our new series Glow Up @SMoCA that promotes the awareness of mental health and the importance of practicing self-care,” said Julie Ganas, curator of engagement and digital initiatives at SMoCA, in the release. 

“It is our hope for this series to create a safe, welcoming space where healing and relaxation can be nurtured, whether you are new to these techniques or not. And we thought, ‘What better place to do this than in the serene light of “Three Parallels”?’”

Upcoming events at SMoCA include the following:

• Inside Job Office Hours

• Jan. 12, from 1 to 3 p.m.
• Free

Meet the staff co-curators of “Inside Job: Selections from the SMoCA Collection” to learn more about their connections to contemporary art.

“Inside Job” features works that were selected by Scottsdale Arts staff working in administration, development, human resources, marketing and communications, protection services, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Public Art, Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation and SMoCA.

• Mystery in the Museum: The Gateway Enigma

• Jan. 13 and Feb. 3, at 6:30 p.m.
• $25–$45

A SMoCA curator has vanished through what appears to be a portal in one of the galleries. It is your task to solve puzzles and follow clues throughout the museum to investigate this mysterious gateway.

Bring a friend, or assemble a team, to solve the riddles and find the clues during a night of art, intrigue and fun. Two free drinks per person with snacks to follow.

• Second Saturdays @SMoCA

• Jan. 14, Feb. 11, March 11, April 8, May 13 and June 10, from noon to 3 p.m.
• Free

Make contemporary art a family tradition during free Second Saturdays at SMoCA. Solve a mysterious puzzle, create a unique artwork to take home and explore the museum.

On Jan. 14, museumgoers will receive an Andaz Scottsdale Insider discount card for 20% off at Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen, Palo Verde Spa & Apothecary and stays at Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows. Andaz Scottsdale Resort and Bungalows is a featured hotel partner of SMoCA.

• Knight Rise at Sunset

• Jan. 18, Feb. 1, Feb. 15, March 8, and March 15, at 5:30 p.m.
• $45

In this illuminating event and workshop from Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation, participants experience the sunset inside James Turrell’s “Knight Rise” Skyspace at SMoCA.

Learn about this important artist while capturing the sunset’s glow with watercolors. Following the experience in the Skyspace, enjoy the current exhibitions at SMoCA and engage in gallery discussions with staff.

• Glow Up @SMoCA: Sound Bath

• Jan. 19, April 20 and July 20, at 7 p.m.
• $20

Refresh your aura, and bathe in the serene light of Phillip K. Smith III’s “Three Parallels” as a sound bath — led by Melinda Milton — eases you into deep relaxation.

A sound bath is a form of meditation that allows listeners to sink into an immersive experience of sounds and vibrations to induce deep relaxation while promoting healing and well-being.

Tibetan sound bowls, chimes, and various instruments are used by the sound healing practitioner.

• WHO CARES? Local Writers’ Stories of Caregiving

• Jan. 29, from noon to 3:30 p.m.
• Free

Caregiving can be isolating, grueling, depressing and incredibly rewarding. Local writers, including past participants of the Balancing Acts workshop, will share true stories about the caregiving experience during a live reading, facilitated by Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation.

• Glow Up @SMoCA: Mindful Movement

• Feb. 16 and June 15, at 7 p.m.
• $20

Refresh your aura, and bathe in the serene light of Phillip K. Smith III’s “Three Parallels” as Nicole L Olson leads you through a mindful movement exercise intended to get your body moving in ways that bring joy and awareness to its natural rhythms.

Learn ways to bring awareness to your body and how to channel joy from movement.

• Memory Lounge | Spring 2023

• Feb. 17, March 3, March 17 and April 7, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
• $60 per couple for all workshops / $20 per couple for individual workshops

Memory Lounge is an arts program organized by Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation for people with mild to moderate memory loss and their care partners. The first workshop of the spring series will feature felting with Chance Phillips.

Other events in the spring series include watercolors with Megan Johnson, collage with Shorty Greene, and text art with Kristin Bauer. Additionally, participants will see the current exhibitions at SMoCA and engage in discussions about the artworks, ideas and artists.

• Glow Up @SMoCA: Meditation

• March 16 and May 18, at 7 p.m.
• $20

Refresh your aura and bathe in the serene light of Phillip K. Smith III’s “Three Parallels” as Gen Kelsang Tabkay guides you through a meditation that empowers you to generate feelings of inner peace and joy.

Suitable for everyone, these meditation sessions offer simple, practical methods to improve the quality of our lives and develop inner peace.

These classes focus on using Buddhist understanding with guided meditation, a practical teaching and an opportunity to ask questions.

Learn more about all museum events at SMoCA.org/events.

SMoCA is located at 7374 E. Second St., Scottsdale, Arizona 85251. It is open Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., and on Thursdays, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Visit SMoCA.org for information.

Admission is $10–$12 for non-members; $7–$9 for students, seniors (65+) and veterans; and free for Scottsdale Arts ONE Members, healthcare workers, first responders, and patrons 18 and younger.

Admission to the museum is free every Thursday and every second Saturday of the month. Timed-entry tickets are required. Save time and money by booking online at SMoCA.org.