Museums & Art Galleries in Southern Arizona

Tuesday, 05 April 2011 16:34

Look below to get to know some of Southern Arizona's best art galleries and museums in southern Arizona:

Tucson

1.  Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

"The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, all in one place! Exhibits re-create the natural landscape of the Sonoran Desert Region so realistically you find yourself eye-to-eye with mountain lions, prairie dogs, Gila monsters, and more. Within the Museum grounds, you will see more than 300 animal species and 1,200 kinds of plants. There are almost 2 miles of paths traversing 21 acres of beautiful desert."

2021 North Kinney Road

Tucson, AZ 85743

520.883.2702

2. Arizona History Museum

"The Arizona History Museum’s focus is southern Arizona history from Spanish colonial through territorial eras. Exhibit topics include mining and transportation. The Arizona’s Treasures exhibit features Geronimo’s rifle and 18th-century Spanish silver artifacts."

949 East 2nd Street

Tucson, AZ 85719

520.628.5774

3. Arizona State Museum

"The Arizona State Museum...

• is the oldest and largest anthropology museum in the Southwest, established in 1893 by the Arizona Territorial Legislature.
• is the state's official permitting agency for archaeological and paleontological projects across the state.
• is the state’s official archaeological repository and is the largest/busiest non-federal intake facility in the country.
• administers Arizona’s Antiquities Act and assists state and federal agencies in enforcing related legislation and repatriation.
• is the University of Arizona’s anthropology museum and is one of the oldest research units on the campus.
• hosts researchers from around the world who use the collections to expand the frontiers of knowledge in archaeology, ethnology, and ethnohistory.
• is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution."

1013 East University Boulevard

Tucson, AZ 85718

520.621.6302

4. DeGrazia's Gallery in the Sun

"There are six permanent collections of paintings that trace historical events and native cultures of the Southwest. Rotating exhibitions display some of the 15,000 DeGrazia originals housed at the gallery, including oils, watercolors, sketches, serigraphs, lithographs, sculptures, ceramics and jewelry. A consignment room displays DeGrazia originals available for purchase, while the gift shop offers a wide selection of reproductions."

6300 North Swan Road

Tucson, AZ 85718

520.299.9191

5. Flandrau Science Center

"Flandrau brings together the University of Arizona and regional communities to inspire the teaching and learning of science and technology, create pathways to lifelong learning, and promote the area’s social, economic and environmental sustainability."

1601 East University Boulevard

Tucson, AZ 85719

520.621.7827

6. Fort Lowell Park & Museum

"The Fort Lowell Museum is located in the reconstructed Commanding Officer's quarters of Old Fort Lowell, originally established in 1873. The museum features exhibits about military life on the Arizona frontier. The museum is located in Old Fort Lowell Park at the corner of Cracroft and Fort Lowell Road in Tucson. Hours Friday and Saturday 10am - 4pm. Walking tours, lectures, living history events are featured as special events."

2900 North Craycroft Road

Tucson, AZ 85712

520.885.3832

7. Davis Dominguez Gallery

This contemporary fine art gallery is open from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

154 East 6th St.

Tucson, AZ 85705

520.629.9759

8. Etherton Gallery

"Established in 1981, Etherton Gallery specializes in vintage and contemporary fine art photography, paintings, prints, sculpture, and mixed-media works by local and regional artists.  Cited as “one of Tucson’s early and most enduring contemporary art spaces,” the gallery has been voted “Best Gallery” in Tucson for twelve years running.  As one of the Southwest’s premier galleries, its inventory incorporates museum quality works including turn-of-the-century western American ethnographic and landscape photographs."

135 S. 6th Ave. # B

Tucson, AZ 85701

520.624.7370

9. Desert Artisans' Gallery

"Desert Artisans’ Gallery is a fine art co-op gallery located in the Southwest Desert town of Tucson, Arizona. We feature contemporary works in oil, pastels, acrylic, photography, watercolor, ceramics, glass, and more. As a co-op gallery we offer great values on beautiful art by allowing you to buy directly from the artists."

6536 East Tanque Verde Road

Tucson, AZ

520.722.4412

10. Conrad Wilde Gallery

"Conrad Wilde Gallery supports established and emerging artists, collectors and public audiences by providing a venue for the access, celebration and advancement of contemporary art."

Open Tuesday through Saturday  from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

439 N. 6th Ave. #171

Tucson, AZ 85705

520.622.8997 ‎

11. Solar Culture Gallery

"Solar Culture Gallery is located in a historic 3000 square foot turn of the century style Art Deco produce warehouse. We encourage everyone to share their art in our building. There is no jury. All work is accepted. It is free to show your artwork. No commission is taken if something sells. There are usually over 100 people showing art in our gallery. We change the art three times a year, in October, February, and May."

31 East Toole Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85701

520.884.0874

Open Daily 12 p.m. - 12 a.m.

12. Pima Air & Space Museums

"Pima Air & Space Museum, where history takes flight, is one of the largest air and space museums in the world, and the largest non-government funded aviation museum. You'll see more than 300 aircraft and spacecraft including many of the most historically significant and technically advanced craft ever produced, both from the United States and throughout the world."

6000 E. Valencia Rd.
Tucson, Arizona 85756
520.574.0462

Open Daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Last admittance at 4 p.m.

13. Mission San Xavier del Bac

"A National Historic Landmark, San Xavier Mission was founded as a Catholic mission by Father Eusebio Kino in 1692. Construction of the current church began in 1783 and was completed in 1797. The oldest intact European structure in Arizona, the church's interior is filled with marvelous original statuary and mural paintings. It is a place where visitors can truly step back in time and enter an authentic 18th Century space. The church retains its original purpose of ministering to the religious needs of its parishioners."

1950 West San Xavier Road

Tucson, AZ 85746-7409

520.294.2624

The Mission Church is open to the public 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily

Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday

Mass Schedule: Saturday Vigil - 5:30 p.m.

Sunday - 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 a.m.

Daily - Monday Communion Service 8:30 a.m.

Tuesday - Friday Mass  8:30 a.m.

14. MOCA: Museum of Contemporary Art - Tucson

265 South Church Avenue

Tucson, AZ 85701

520.624.6873

Open Wednesday - Sunday 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. General admission is $8 and youth under 17, veterans, active military and public safety officers always have free admission.

Nogales

15. Hilltop Art Gallery

"Since its opening in 1972, Hilltop Gallery has enriched the community by presenting over 20,000 works of art from both sides of the U.S.-Mexican border.The Gallery year begins in September and runs through June. A new exhibit opens each month showcasing solo exhibits, group exhibits or themed exhibits, including the Annual Members Show and the May Judged Show."

730 North Hill Top Drive

Nogales, AZ 85621

520.287.5515

Open Daily 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Bisbee

16. Sam Poe Gallery

"Located on Main Street in the historic mining town of Old Bisbee, the SAM•POE Gallery is a contemporary art space featuring exclusively the work of husband and wife, Poe Dismuke and Sam Woolcott."

24 Main Street

Bisbee, AZ 85603

520.432.5338

17. Belleza

Home to contemporary and traditional art by internationally known artists, the gallery is open 362 days a year and is less than 2 hours south east of Tucson.

27 Main Street

Bisbee, AZ 85603

520.432.5877

Open Daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. with extended hours Friday and Saturday

18. 55 Main Gallery

This gallery features contemporary art, jewlery, glass art, furniture, photography and clothing by local and 'not so local' artists alike.

55 Main Street

Bisbee, AZ 85603

520.432.4694

Open Daily 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Tombstone

19. Wyatt Earp House & Gallery

"The Gallery, located in the Wyatt Earp House, offers an eclectic collection of western and southwestern art, featuring several prestigious Arizonan artists as well as some new and upcoming talent."

102 East Fremont Street

Tombstone, AZ 85638

520.457.3111

Open Thursday - Monday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

20. Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park

"Built in 1882 in the shape of a Roman cross, the two-story Victorian structure once housed the offices of the sheriff, recorder, treasurer, board of supervisors, jail, and courtrooms of Cochise County. Today, the 12,000 square foot courthouse is a museum filled with the glitter and guns of those who tamed the territory."

223 East Toughnut Street

Tombstone, AZ 85638

520.457.3311

Open Daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

21. Rose Tree Museums and Gifts

"Home of the world's largest rose tree. The "Lady Banksia" rose was planted in 1886 and covers approx 9000 square feet. Museum has many relics from the pioneers of Tombstone in the 1880s."

Corner of 4th & Toughnut Street
Tombstone, AZ 85638

520.457.3326

Open Daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sierra Vista

22. Hard Luck Artist Coopoerative

"Hardluck Studios Fine Art For Thought features conceptual watercolor paintings by Dubh (pronounced dove). Dubh has a passion for creating social commentary art in protest of global human oppression, and environmental destruction by humans. He uses a unique self-taught layering technique to acheive the opaque and realistic look that are characteristic of his paintings."

10 S. 2nd St.

Sierra Vista, AZ 85635

520.458.1019

Tubac

23. Galleria Tubac

"Located in the thriving arts community of Tubac, Arizona, Galleria Tubac is known as the fine art gallery with a split personality! In the fine art section of the gallery you'll discover many of the Southwest's most renowned artists: John Nieto, Michael McCullough and Carolyn Watson to name a few."

31 Tubac Road
Tubac, AZ 85646
520.398.9088

24. Big Horn Galleries

"Big Horn Galleries Tubac was opened in February 2002 in the historic art colony of Tubac Arizona.  It is located across the street from the historic Presidio at the end of Tubac road.  Located 30 miles south of Tucson, Tubac dates back to 1752 and is said to be the place 'where art and history meet'.  This gallery has a Southwestern flair, and represents many of the same artists as Cody, but some specific to the region as well.  In addition to fine art, this gallery offers original graphics, jewelry, giclee and traditional prints, posters, books and artistic gifts."

37 Tubac Road

Tubac, AZ 85646

Written by Chelsea Meintel You are reading Museums & Art Galleries in Southern Arizona articles