Mesa Arts Center, Arizona’s largest arts center and home to four theaters, five art galleries, and 14 art studios, is headed into 2025 with the opening of five new exhibitions. The center, as well as other Mesa museums, have also renewed their designations as a Certified Autism Center.
Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, a visual art exhibition space at Mesa Arts Center, celebrates the opening of five new exhibitions to kick off 2025. The exhibits feature artists Farraday Newsome, Martin Dimitrov, and Joseph Sivilli; “Beyond Description,” a group invitational exhibition; and “46th Annual Contemporary Crafts” featuring the finest contemporary crafts from across the country.
“We are thrilled to showcase the work of our prospectus winners, Martin Dimitrov in painting and Farraday Newsome in ceramics, alongside the 46th Annual Contemporary Crafts exhibition,” says Mary-Beth Buesgen, curator of Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum, in a press release. “We’re also excited to welcome back last year’s Juror’s Choice winner, Joseph Sivilli, whose installation pushes the boundaries of time. Additionally, we’re proud to highlight renowned observational painters in ‘Beyond Description,’ a powerful exhibition last presented in New York, featuring some of today’s most celebrated painters.” The free opening reception on Friday, Feb. 14, from 7 to 10 p.m., includes musical entertainment, light refreshments, and a cash bar.
Dec. 13 to March 16: “Farraday Newsome: Memento Vitae, My Body is Your Nest”
This exhibition showcases a new collection of ceramic works created between 2020 and 2024.
Jan. 10 to April 6: “Beyond Description”
A group invitational featuring 15 artists who investigate the process of representation by exploring the world around them through the medium of paint. Artists include David Baird, Eric Elliott, Dean Fisher, Ruth Miller Forge, Zoey Frank, Ann Gale, Catherine Kehoe, Ying Li, Gage Opdenbrouw, Gillian Pederson-Krag, Stephanie Pierce, Ed Praybe, Kimberly Trowbridge, Christina Weaver, and Jordan Wolfson.
Feb. 14 to April 20: “46th Annual Contemporary Crafts”
Representative of traditional craft mediums including ceramics, fibers, basketry, metals, wood, glass, and jewelry.
Jan. 24 to April 13: “Nocturnal Gardens,” Martin Dimitrov
This exhibition highlights paintings created through direct observation from life over an extended period of time.
Feb. 14 to April 27: “Posthistoric Evolution,” Joseph Sivilli
An installation that invites the public to walk amongst the solid yet ephemeral objects in a scene seemingly outside of time. Sivilli is the “45th Annual Contemporary Crafts” exhibition Juror’s Choice winner.
Mesa Arts Center, in addition to nearby Arizona Museum of Natural History and idea Museum, renewed their Certified Autism Center (CAC) designation, which is awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). The centers have each held this designation since 2019, and Mesa was the first city to earn the ACC designation.
“Mesa has consistently led the way in fostering inclusivity and accessibility for millions of autistic individuals and their families,” says Myron Pincomb, IBCCES board chairman, in a press release. “The renewal of the Certified Autism Center designation for these three organizations shows the staff’s commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all visitors.”
Staff at the trio of Mesa locations completed position-specific training, equipping them with up-to-date knowledge of the best practices, skills and resources to welcome and accommodate autistic and sensory-sensitive guests. This renewal underscores the ongoing commitment to providing inclusive options for every resident and visitor in Mesa.
Admission to Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum is free. For more information, visit mesaartscenter.com.
1 E. Main St.
Mesa, AZ 85201