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WindUp Gallery
2 reviews for WindUp Gallery
WOW. Yet another Mesa establishment has taken me by surprise. "Mesa" and "hip art gallery " can now be uttered in the same sentence without being laughed out of the room. Furthermore, the quality of art at WindUp is truly superior. Having gone to many of the Downtown Phoenix art galleries, I've seen how many galleries show 3 or 4 crap pieces for every 1 piece of really stellar work.
Here at WindUp it's different. At least this time around for the latest opening reception (two weeks ago), every piece proved really strong and held it's own, even if I didn't particularly care for it. Lots of provocative and dark art, and even some whimsical Modigiliani-inspired pieces too.
The long narrow storefront is a far cry from the more earthy First Friday locales in Phoenix in that it offers air conditioning. Oh my God what a concept. Add to that a DJ booth, free easy parking, a skillfully stocked gift shop, a complimentary beer/wine bar (think Bud light and white zinfandel -- yuck, but hey it's free) and a hip 20-something, 30 something crowd - and you've got yourself a winning art gallery. WindUp is worth getting your head out of your ass and hoofing it from Scottsdale or Phoenix. It's not the end of the world, it's just Mesa proving it's all growed up with a respectable art gallery.
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The Magic of Mesa, indeed!
For the HomeGrown show featuring local AZ artists, I checked out the reception being held on Main St. in Mesa (right near Country Club). I had no idea what to expect of this gallery, but I knew we weren't going to end up hanging out around there afterwards.
After finding parking easily (as one always does in Mesa) and walking through the entrance which had large pieces displayed in the glass vestibule, I was promptly shocked. This place...kicks major ass. The art work was simply top notch, the space itself is crisp and modern, and the DJ booth set up takes it to a new level. After getting a drink from the bar towards the back, you walk through a kind of mini office that still has plenty of incredible art work. You end up in their kind of mini-boutique, which has books and magazines, limited edition vinyl toys, and plenty of unique local designer shirts-I myself indulged in a robot unicorn t-shirt at the very affordable 25 bucks for a limited run screenprint, you know?
I kept repeating, "yet another slice of east coast in Mesa?"-and after some research into this gallery, I discover the owners have very east coast (NYC) roots, thus explaining my state disorientation (check out http://www.getoutaz.co...).
You have to go. Really. You really, really, really do.
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- Cool (5)
