Art Gallery
The art gallery is open Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and during performances. Check in at the Box Office.
To purchase artwork or apply for future exhibits, please contact Kara Poling by email or 623-876-7155
CWA Spring 2024 Members Art Exhibition
Contemporary Watercolorists of Arizona, CWA presents their Spring 2024 Members Art Exhibition February 1, 2024 through March 3, 2024 at The Vista Center for the Arts. Exhibit hours are Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 AM to 2 PM.
Art Reception: Thursday, February 15, 6:00 to 7:30 PM at The Vista Center for the Arts.
The Contemporary Watercolorists of Arizona (CWA) proudly announces the unveiling of 50 exceptional and award-winning paintings in watermedia at the CWA Exhibition, set to take place from February 01, 2024, to March 03, 2024.
Awards for outstanding artistic achievements, carefully selected by the esteemed Juror, Cynthia Peterson, will be presented to the talented artists during the CWA Exhibition Art Reception.
The exhibition will be hosted at The Vista Center for the Arts, located at 15660 N. Parkview Place, Surprise, Arizona 85374.
The Art Reception, a free and open event to the public, is scheduled to be held at The Vista Center for the Arts on Thursday, February 15, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Attendees will have the opportunity to witness the unveiling of the award-winning paintings and engage with the artists behind these remarkable creations.
If interested in a purchase of a painting please contact:
Pamela Root at pamela.root@gmail.com or
Candice Diaz at taydiaz@earthlink.net to make arrangements.
Pick up of purchased paintings is on Monday, March 4, 2024, 9 to 10:30 AM
More information on CWA is at contemporarywatercolorists.com
WHAM
A juried art exhibit presented by the members of the WHAM Art Center in collaboration with the Vista Center for the Arts.
The Exhibit, “Visual Thoughts”, runs January 9th through January 30th.
WHAM is the What’s Happen’n Art Movement. Their mission is to connect people through the arts, to provide innovative, multidisciplinary, arts-inclusive programming, exhibits and projects to the diverse communities they serve.
To purchase art from the exhibit, please contact The Vista Box Office at 623-523-8888 or email info@thevistaaz.com.
Ground Floor Artists Exhibit
The Vista Center of the Arts is hosting a one month art exhibition featuring Ground Floor Artists, a non profit 501C3 Art Center. Admission is free and open to the public during regular Box Office hours: Tuesdays through Fridays, 10am to 2pm. CLOSED: December 21 - January 8 for the winter break.
Ground Floor Artists is located at 13343 W Foxfire Dr. Suite #3 in Surprise, AZ 85378 and is open Wed. thru Fri. 10am to 4pm and Sat. 10am to 2pm. They have a gallery, Artisan Boutique and 28 resident artist studios that are open to the public to see. It is a great opportunity to visit artists create and take a peak inside their workplaces. Ground Floor Artists also offers a variety of classes for beginners and advanced students. Visit groundfloorartists.com to book a class today.
World’s Longest Native American Painting Art Exhibit by Daniel Ramirez
The world's longest native American painting is an outstanding long term art project that Daniel Ramirez, a certified descendant of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan, started in 2010. The project, a 120 foot mural, depicts one woman for every tribe in the fifty United States.
Ramirez uses Art and Culture to help us discover how Native American Women play a very important role in the lives of Native People throughout history and today.
The goal of the World's Longest Native American Painting is to depict one woman for every tribe in the fifty United States. In order to achieve such a goal a total length of 120 feet was calculated. For the convenience of the artist it was then decided that the project would be divided in 16 to 20 sections of six feet each, giving an opportunity to Daniel to explore different themes in this project.
As of January 2023 the WLNAP project has progressed at a steady pace and is now composed of 12 sections (72 feet) that we will explore below. As the project moves forward we understand its impact in the education of Native American Culture at all levels of teachings including the need to create a dynamic and interactive electronic platform for this project on the internet. This modern and powerful digital tool will facilitate the presentation of most Native American Tribes across the Country, and teachers of any schools worldwide will be able to implement it in their current curriculum.
During the official Native American Month of November 2023, Daniel Ramirez will exhibit 12 sections along with a narrative that will detail the description of every Indigenous Woman for each painting. We will also include other images and objects pertinent to the exhibit in order to create the most memorable experience.
The exhibit is located at The Vista Center for the Arts (15660 N Parkview Place, Surprise, AZ) and is free and open to the public during Box Office hours, Tuesdays through Fridays from 10am to 2pm. CLOSED: Friday, November 10 in observance of Veterans Day and Thursday-Friday, November 23-24 in observance of Thanksgiving.
In addition, Daniel Ramirez presents a lecture and reception for The World’s Longest Native American Painting, A Tribute to Indigenous Women of the United States, November 22, 2023 from 5:30pm to 7pm.
This event is FREE; however RSVP is required. Limited seating is available.
Award Winning Fine Art Exhibit by John Weecks
“Timeless Visions”, a new exhibition featuring mixed media artwork by John Simon Weecks will be on display at The Vista Center for the Arts in Surprise during the month of October.
The public is invited to a free opening reception on Friday, Oct. 6 from 5:30-7 p.m. at The Vista Center for the Arts located at 15660 N Parkview Pl, Surprise, AZ 85374. The artist will be in attendance and available then for comment.
The month-long exhibition will showcase award-winning wood carvings, oil paintings, murals, and functional art. Highlights include the First Prize winners of the 2023 Desert Woodcarving Show, First Place winner and 'Best of Open Class' in the 2022 Desert Woodcarving Show, hyper-realistic and medieval-inspired wood sculptures, Art Deco-inspired silver and diamond racers, and more.
The exhibition will be free and open to the public Tuesdays through Fridays all month long from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Vista Center for the Arts located at 15660 N Parkview Pl, Surprise, AZ 85374. All works will be available for purchase in person or online at JohnWeecks.com.
The Vista Center for the Arts, a nonprofit operated by the Dysart School District, is generously hosting this pop-up gallery for the month of October.
"The Vista Center for the Arts takes great pride in enriching the lives of our community through a vibrant array of visual and performing arts," said Kara Poling, Community Liaison at The Vista Center for the Arts. "We're delighted to offer these exhibitions free of charge."
Weecks is a commercial artist based in Phoenix known for his wood carvings, paintings, jewelry, and furniture. For additional information, visit JohnWeecks.com.
Vanguard Artists Art Exhibit
VANGUARD ARTISTS is a West Valley artists’ critique group, founded in 1977 who meet monthly at the Sun City West Foundation with a goal of supporting each other in artistic development.
Vanguard’s main focus is to provide a forum for the critiquing of art work produced by each artist, resulting in generating better quality work. Members have achieved regional and national recognition. Vanguard Artists aims to enrich the West Valley through networking, education and ultimately, finer art.
There will be a Meet the Artist Reception Friday, September 1st, from 1:00pm - 3:00pm.
Exhibit will feature member art on exhibit September 1st through the 30th. Exhibition hours are during Box Office hours Tuesdays-Fridays, 10 am - 2 pm.
For sales or artist contact information, contact Jerry McGinnes.
Call: 623-242-8343
Amazing Mosaics Art Exhibit
Amazing Mosaics is excited to announce an upcoming exhibit at the Vista Center for the Arts, located at 15660 N Parkview Pl. Surprise, AZ.
This showcase of glass tile art will run July 11th through August 30th during which mosaics by CM “Charley” Zach will be on display.
Admission is free and open to public during Box Office Hours, Tuesdays through Fridays from 10am to 2pm (closed Fridays July 14 & 21). A portion of sale proceeds will benefit The Vista Center for the Arts.
There will be a Meet the Artist Reception Friday, July 14th, from 6:00pm - 7:30pm.
For more information or to purchase items from this exhibit:
Website: www.amazingmosaics.net
Email: amazingmosaics@yahoo.com
Call: 928-699-1374
Summer Youth Theatre
The Vista Center for the Arts presents a summer youth theatre camp with The Missoula Children's Theatre production of Secret Garden.
This week-long theater camp, with workshops and performance is for 64 students entering 1st through 12th grades. The curtain goes up at 6:00pm on Friday, June 9th!
Tickets are general admission:
Adult $10 | Child $5
Art Exhibit: Desert Landscapes Photography
Enjoy scenic views of the desert by local photographer, Chuck Kyle.
This exhibit is open during summer box office hours, Tuesdays-Thursdays, 10 AM - 2 PM. (Closed on holidays)
Originally from Wisconsin, Chuck lived 25 years in El Paso, Texas before coming to Arizona. He and his wife, Luciana, moved to Surprise 16 years ago. Chuck worked as a General Manager in the Corrugated Paper manufacturing industry until 2017.
With his home’s proximity to the White Tank Mountain Regional Park, he took up hiking every weekend and in 2015 started his landscape photography in earnest.
In that same year he purchased an Epson 9890 44” printer and began to print his photographs on canvas and gloss paper. Chuck also bought a high-end mat cutter and began to buy frames in bulk to do his own matting and framing, which he continues to this day.
No other location can surpass the State of Arizona for it’s absolute raw beauty. Whether Northern Arizona or all the way down to our border with Mexico, the diversity of the landscape is absolutely breathtaking. With all of this beauty around us it is not hard to find subjects to photograph. The least of which are the beautiful Saguaros. They are as individual as people and Chuck finds new subjects to shoot everywhere he goes in Southern Arizona. A landscape photographer’s paradise.
To purchase fine art from this exhibit, please contact Gallery Manager: Kara Poling, kara.poling@dysart.org or call 623-876-7155.
Dysart Festival of the Arts
The BIGGEST arts event of the year is coming soon! Mark your calendars for March 25th at Valley Vista High School as students from across the Dysart Unified School District sing, dance, play, create, paint, and so much more! This event will showcase the visual and performing arts programs from 16 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 4 high schools, and the Growing Minds Preschool.
The Festival of the Arts is FREE and open to the public, and expected to draw at least 7,500 attendees. The Festival will feature performances on multiple stages including various dance troops, theatre troops, choirs, and bands. The elementary, middle school, and high school visual arts programs will host two art showcases including 2D and 3D pieces.
In addition to the wonderful performances, attendees will enjoy an Arts Vendor Fair for people to peruse and shop from local artists. NEW!!!! This year an “Arts Experience” area, offering multiple hands-on opportunities for attendees to participate in the arts. Examples include 30-minute workshops on dance, bucket drumming, piano, ukulele, and art projects. Lastly, as you work up an appetite, food trucks will be onsite to satisfy your taste buds. This event is open to the public and is free to attend. Come celebrate a day of Arts with our community, families, and students.
Public Art Dedication Ceremony
Surprise, AZ (February 3, 2023) A signature public art piece approved by City Council in fall 2021 was installed in the Surprise Community Park this week, and a community dedication ceremony is planned for February 17.
“Bloom Where You’re Planted,” by artist Brad Oldham, is an 18-foot tall, mirror-polished steel saguaro cactus. The piece features spring cactus blooms that illuminate at night. As a tribute to our city’s founder Flora Statler, her image is located in the back of the cactus, visible through an open Dutch door, inviting visitors to approach and share their dreams and wishes with her.
The installation is located in an area of Surprise Community Park just in front of the Northwest Regional Library. The community is invited to a dedication ceremony at the site of the art piece on Friday, February 17 at 2 p.m.
This project was funded through the Council-adopted ordinance that earmarks 1.3% of Capital Improvement Project (CIP) initial costs to be dedicated to public art. The project was selected by the Surprise Arts & Cultural Commission for final review and approval by the Surprise City Council.
For more information on public art in Surprise, visit surpriseaz.gov/arts.
WHAM ART EXHIBIT: Another Place, Another Time
WHAM Art Exhibition: Another Place, Another Time
Exhibit hours: Tuesdays-Fridays, 10am-2pm
By invitation of the Vista Center for the Arts, talented artists from the WHAM Art Center in Surprise are presenting a juried exhibit of artwork depicting “Another Place, Another Time.” The artists reception and ribbon awards will take place on January 20th from 4:30pm to 6:30pm. This event is open to the public and light refreshments will be served.
The theme for this exhibit, “Another Place, Another Time,” is sure to evoke memories in each viewer taking them to past memories or inviting them to imagine places where dreams reside.
For further information, contact Diane Freeman, WHAM Gallery Coordinator, at diane.freeman@wham-art.org. Or phone 623-451-5735.
WHAM Art Association (WHAM) is a community oriented 501 (c) (3) organization that is bringing the ARTS to people of all ages, race, abilities, and economic status in many of the West Valley cities. WHAM‘s mission is to provide innovative, multidisciplinary, arts-inclusive programming, exhibits, and projects to the diverse communities we serve. As an organization, we are interested in enhancing economic development and artistic collaboration for our members, the community, and other organizations.
WHAM Art Association is committed to support and promote art awareness and participation in the West Valley through exhibits, art walks, public art, festivals, art education and instructional art classes.
For further information, please contact Connie Whitlock, WHAM Executive Director: connie.whitlock@wham-art.org Or phone 623-584-8311.
Public Lecture
Free Public Lecture: Saturday, November 19 at 10am in The Vista Playhouse by artist, designer, author and entrepreneur, Dennis Kleidon.
Dennis Kleidon, artist, designer, author and entrepreneur will be giving a free public lecture about his solo art exhibit titled “Transformation” and his recent book, Unleash Your Imagination. The lecture will be held Saturday, November 19 at 10:00 am, located at The Vista Center for the Arts Playhouse, 15660 N Parkview Place, Surprise, AZ 85374.
Dennis Kleidon paints robust abstractions exploring the possibilities of paint in action, reveling in color in ways that appear at first to be intuitive, but soon reveal a sure sense of gesture – at once invigorating and calming. His work has been recognized by the world-renowned art critic, Edward Lucie-Smith, as “deeply personal” and “bursting with life.” Lucie-Smith says “Kleidon’s paintings have...powerful symbolic messages.”
Like many abstract expressionists, Kleidon balances the orderly backgrounds of his paintings with an aggressive attack on the canvas. A student of art, architecture, and design, and a classically trained pianist, Kleidon integrates a multitude of influences into his compositions.
Kleidon has been dedicated to the advancement of excellence in design and art throughout his professional life. Problem-solving and improving the visual environment have been significant parts of his activities as a professor of art, graphic designer, writer,and marketing communications executive. As a fine artist, he has been influenced by mid-century abstract expressionists, the dynamics of a controlled spontaneity, and his unharnessed imagination. His paintings have been shown in galleries and museums throughout the United States, and he is represented by galleries in New York City, Scottsdale, and Perugia, Italy. His Designer Grids and other product designs have been used by art and design professionals throughout the world.
Dennis Kleidon has encapsulated his design philosophy in a recently published book titled, Unleash Your Imagination: Transform Your Life. The book inspires his readers to view their life as a design project, planning each aspect of their life based on their utmost desires and aspirations. Kleidon says, “We have been given wonderful gifts, our life, our body, and our mind, and we need to use these gifts and talents to make important contributions to our society and our world.” One of his new series of paintings, “Transformation,” symbolizes the transition that takes place as one transforms their life from their current reality to a new and exciting future vision.
His love of music and theater is seen in his most recent paintings, “’Round Midnight” and “Sun Dancers.” Influenced by jazz piano, choreography, and dance, he expresses in his paintings the complexity of musical scores as well as the beauty and flow of dance movements.
Unleash Your Imagination is available wherever books are sold. For more information or to buy artwork, visit www.denniskleidon.com or call 330-329-7408. Art exhibit hours are Tuesday-Friday, 10am-2pm now through December 31.
Nutcracker Open Auditions
Auditions: September 14 at 4:15 PM
Callbacks: September 15 at 4:15 PM.
Please prepare a 30-60 second monologue and 16 bars of a song. Dance portion will be taught at the audition. Rehearsals will run once a week for 14 weeks with show dates on December 22 and 23. If cast, $250 tuition is required.
Location: The Vista Center for the Arts, 15660 N Parkview Place.
For more information, please contact Brianna.Pena@dysart.org.
Art at the Vista
A juried art exhibition & sale hosted by The Vista Center for the Arts and sponsored by Ground Floor Artists. Located in The Vista lobby, the exhibition is free and open to the public during regular Box Office Hours, Tuesday - Friday, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM.
Artists Reception/Open House: Thursday, September 15, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Open to the public.
Missoula Children's Theatre presents Red Riding Hood
Friday, July 22, 6:00 pm doors open at 5:30 pm
The Missoula Children’s Theatre presents Little Red Riding Hood, adaptation and music by Michael McGill. Missoula Children’s Theatre will be arriving soon in a little red truck all the way from Montana to The Vista Center for the Arts. Two professional MCT tour actor/directors will work with up to 60 local school age children, auditioning, casting and rehearsing for a week in preparation for an hour-long, original, fully-staged and costumed musical.
The excellence of MCT productions, along with their unique and acclaimed teaching methods, result in the development of life skills in children through participation in the performing arts. For parent FAQs, visit the Missoula Children's Theatre website.
Performance: Friday, July 22, 6:00 pm
Free Missoula Workshop - Improv Grades 7-12
Participation and teamwork are emphasized as the students learn to act without a script. This workshop can be geared to all skill levels of students from beginners to more experienced performers.
Free Missoula Workshop - Acting Grades 3-6
Observation, memorization concentration, and imagination are explored. Students participate in exercises learning to apply actors tools both performing and life.
Free Missoula Workshop - Drama Quest Grades K-2
A grand adventure through a jungle awaits! Using energetic role-playing in a group setting students will develop problem solving, communication and imagination skills. And, they'll have so much fun!
Festival of the Arts
On March 26, 2022, the Dysart Unified School District will be holding the annual Dysart Festival of the Arts. The festival will take place from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Valley Vista High School. This event will showcase the visual and performing arts programs from 16 elementary schools, four middle schools, four high schools, and a preschool in the Dysart Unified School District.
The Dysart Arts Festival will be a day jam packed with performances on multiple stages to include various dance troops, theatre troops, choirs and bands. The elementary, middle school, and high school visual arts programs will be hosting two showcases to include both 2D and 3D pieces.
In addition to all the wonderful performances, we will be hosting an Arts Vendor Fair for people to peruse and shop from local artists.
Lastly, in case all these wonderful performances and showcases cause you to work up an appetite, food trucks will be on site to satisfy your taste buds. This event is open to the public and is free to attend. We look forward to celebrating a day of Arts with our community, families and students.
For information or questions on the Festival of the Arts, please contact Danae Marinelli, Director of Arts, at danae.marinelli@dysart.org
Glendale Community College Comunity Band and Shadow Ridge HS Band Present: "Something Old, Something New"
Admission is FREE!
Come enjoy a wonderful evening of concert band music as the stage is shared by the Shadow Ridge HS Band under the direction of Kurwin Forest followed by the GCC Community Band under the direction of Bill Humbert.
About The GCC Community Band is one of many large music performance ensembles at Glendale Community College. The band plays a wide variety of music, including marches, overtures, dances, contemporary symphonic wind music, and more. The Community Band is a dynamic 60-member concert ensemble, consisting of music professionals, non-professionals, and students. The occupations of our members range from music teachers and band directors to doctors, therapists, managers, engineers, administrative professionals, parents, and retirees. We are doing all that we can to provide a quality music experience for everyone in the west valley.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Celebration & Service
MLK Day of Celebration & Service
Saturday, January 15
8:30 a.m. Music & Breakfast • 9 a.m. Program (service projects immediately following event)
Surprise City Hall Courtyard • 16000 N. Civic Center Plz.
Gather with your community to honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a day of celebration and service around Surprise.
Light breakfast will be served to the first 500 guests, starting at 8:30 a.m.
This event will include Keynote Speaker, Col. Wanda Wright, recognition of the art contest winners, service projects, and performances by Valley Vista High School, Ashton Ranch, American Idol Finalist LaKisha Jones, Gideon Missionary Baptist Choir, Arizona Redeemed Choir, Brooklyn Ball, and more!
LaKisha Jones
Best known to millions as a top-four finalist during the 2007 season of “American Idol,” LaKisha Jones is ready to share her expressive, full-bodied and arresting vocals. You may also have seen her on the Broadway stage in the Oprah Winfrey produced, Tony Award-winning musical, “The Color Purple.” Following her Broadway stint Jones provided vocal coaching on MTV’s reality competition “Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods,” a show designed to find and hone Broadway’s next star.
LaKisha Jones will also be performing at The Vista Center for the Arts on Saturday, Jan. 15th at 8 PM.
Purchase Tickets https://ci.ovationtix.com/35306/production/1059185
Guys & Dolls
Come watch your favorite high school actors and actresses in celebrating Dysart’s 100th anniversary with the award winning Broadway musical, Guys & Dolls. DUSD Honor Theatre chooses the best of the best in our District, including a live band in the orchestra pit, to perform, sing and entertain our community. Set in the late 1940’s, there’s something for everyone in this production! Song, dance, instrumental, lights, action, romance, battles, and the fight for good vs evil.
Shakespeare Dinner Theatre: Much Ado About Nothing
Valley Vista High School presents Shakespeare Dinner Theatre: Much Ado About Nothing in the cafeteria and Vista Playhouse. Click here to buy tickets.
Frozen the Musical
Sunset Hills Elementary School presents Frozen the Musical!
Showtimes:
February 20 - 7pm
February 21 - 7pm
February 22 - 2pm & 7pm