The Exhibits Program at Tohono Chul presents visual stories linking the nature, culture and arts of the Southwest. Focusing on the work of regional artists, we display vibrant works of art in a diverse array of thematic group exhibits. The charming adobe Exhibit House, built as a private home in 1937, is an ideal environment for visitors to view Southwestern artworks. 50% all exhibit sales help fund programs at Tohono Chul.
Questions? Please contact the Exhibits Department, exhibits@tohonochul.org
Exhibitions currently on display:
The Elements – Air
Main Gallery | May 26 – August 10, 2022
AIR is the second exhibition in the series, The ELEMENTS. The series will investigate how artists utilize the elements of earth, fire, water, and air as medium, process, and subject. And how, as a subject, these elements reflect some of the social, economic, political, and environmental issues Arizona currently faces.
AIR is next. The exhibition EARTH came first, it featured the work of 41 Arizona artists. FIRE and WATER will follow. The sequence of the two remaining projects will be determined by the number and quality of the entries received.
The crux of each installment is to contemplate human presence and responsibility (or lack of); move toward, hover, and dig at the intersection of art and science, all the while remaining focused on medium, process, and subject; never losing sight of the beauty, wonder, and essence before you.
Gathering
Entry Gallery | August 5 – October 2022
GATHERING features works on paper Michael Chiago created especially for Tohono Chul’s Saguaro Discovery Trail alongside baskets, folk art, and pottery from our Permanent Collection. The exhibition communicates togetherness and fosters community; while simultaneously recognizing the generous gifts that have enabled us to gather a cohesive collection of nature, art, and culture. A Permanent Collection to be shared by all.
Permanent Collection | New Perspectives VI
Welcome Gallery | June 10 – August 10, 2022
The sixth annual Permanent Collection: New Perspectives exhibition features objects from Tohono Chul’s Permanent Collection selected by Tohono Chul Volunteers, guest curators: Phyllis Cavender, Gigi Krammeyer, Len Poliandro, Sunny Stone and Sara Wetegrove.
The Permanent Collection started in 1986 with a donation of sixty-five objects from the Estate of Mrs. Robert Wilson. Mrs. Wilson was the mother of Tohono Chul founder, Richard Wilson. The desire to preserve and exhibit objects is deeply rooted in the Wilson family. Dick’s great, great, great-grandfather was Charles Willson Peale (1741-1827), a portraitist of the Federalist Era and founder of Philadelphia’s Peale Museum, one of America’s first major museums. Roughly a century and a half later, Harold S. Colton and Mary-Russell Ferrell Colton (Dick’s uncle and aunt) founded Flagstaff’s Museum of Northern Arizona. Today, Tohono Chul’s Permanent Collection has grown to include over 350 regional objects ranging from basketry, textiles, and ceramics to sculptural works and paintings.
All the guest curators have dedicated themselves to Tohono Chul and jumped at the opportunity to explore the Permanent Collection and share their knowledge and appreciation of the objects they have chosen.
Roy J. Kurtz Collection of American Indian Art
Education Center
Tohono Chul’s Permanent Collection is growing with the acquisition of Roy J. Kurtz Collection of American Indian Art. The Roy J. Kurtz Collection is vast and will provide endless possibilities for Tohono Chul’s Education and Exhibits programs for years to come. This exhibition will provide the first look at this large collection of baskets and American Indian artwork.
Art in the Gardens
Gardens
Sculpture from Tohono Chul’s Permanent Collection including Mark Rossi, Fred Borcherdt, Kioko Mwitiki, David Weinert, Greg Corman, Ned Egan, along with work for sale by Tucson artists Joy Fox, Phil Lichtenhan, Tidhar Ozeri and more can be discovered throughout the gardens.
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