Phoenix/Sedona/Jerome, Arizona....
Hi Richard,
Returning to a more UPBEAT topic, I will write about our recent trip to south-central Arizona in May '97. It was just a 5-day trip, so we had to really tear around to see a few things while we were there. The high points were:
* The Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix (in the Tempe area). The neat thing about this garden, apart from its pretty amazing collection of cacti and succulents, is that it is open until about 10 p.m. every night. Really nice to be able to go there in the evening when the heat has lifted, and some of the birds, animals, etc... tend to be more active. It really is a nice place.
* The Heard Museum in Phoenix. One of the really good museums for those who enjoy First Nations (or Native American... I guess that is the term in U.S.) art. I'm crazy over all kinds of pottery, so the collection was of particular interest to me. Also a rather amazing collection of "katchina dolls". Anyhow, lots to see.
* Arizona State University's art galleries. Here's one that is probably overlooked because of the location, ESPECIALLY their pottery collection which is housed in a sort of nondescript location on campus. That collection has some very outstanding pieces of the black San Ildefonso pottery by Maria Martinez. They are supposed to be moving the pottery to a new and improved location, so perhaps it will be easier to find soon. The main gallery (Northlights), had a totally off-the-wall temporary exhibition of blown and fused glass sculptures by two brothers from California... Unfortunately, I can't remember their names... which is, quite frankly, driving me nuts. It is very shocking stuff, highly political, religious, etc... the really "on the edge" stuff that you either like or hate. Oh well, maybe someone can help me out on the names... (de la Corte...or something like that).
* The rock formations at Sedona, and the Oak Creek Canyon area. Just amazing... but almost needed some kind of "filtered sunglasses" after awhile... feel like you are "seeing red" after a few hours there..... and those weird pink "tour" jeeps... too much. Lots of "New Age" stuff for those who are into that sort of thing... or those who just want to look at it.
* Jerome... historic copper mine on top of a mountain. DON'T GO if you don't like heights. Good thing I wasn't driving... I had my eyes closed and was totally freaked out by the time we got to the top. However the view over the valley was great.
Well, those are a few things about Phoenix and the area...
Regards,
Bev |
