Odessa Arts

Fire Breathing Dragons - DOWNTOWN
2025-03-26 11:30 - 12:30 (America/Chicago) | Midland Library at the Plaza (Downtown), 301 W. Missouri Ave., Midland, TX, 79701, United States
Create a dragon you can play with! Blow into it and watch your dragon breathe fire! Ages 5-9.

Adult Coloring Group - CENTENNIAL
2025-03-31 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-07 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-14 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-21 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-28 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-05 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-12 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-19 15:00 - 16:00 | Midland County Library – Centennial Branch, 2503 Loop 250 Frontage Rd., Midland, TX, 79705, United States
Coloring reduces stress, improves focus, and stimulates creativity. Newcomers welcome. Adults.

Adventures in Art: Sculpture
2025-04-06 14:30 - 16:30 | Ellen Noel Art Museum, 4909 E. University, Odessa, TX, 79762, United States
The Ellen Noël Art Museum is thrilled to announce a new session of Adventures in Art, designed for aspiring artists aged 6-12. This engaging program offers young creatives the opportunity to learn the art of portrait painting, focusing on capturing the likeness of family members. Classes are scheduled from 2:30-4:30 PM, making for an inspiring and educational afternoon activity.
Participants will begin with a tour of the museum’s current exhibitions, drawing inspiration from professional artworks before diving into their own studio projects. The hands-on experience allows students to explore various techniques and develop their unique artistic skills under the guidance of experienced instructors.
The cost for each class is $20, with advance online registration required. Due to the limited class size, we encourage early registration to ensure your young artist secures a spot. This is a fantastic opportunity for children to immerse themselves in the world of portrait painting, gain new artistic insights, and enjoy a creative and supportive environment.
Don’t miss out on this wonderful chance for your child to enhance their artistic abilities and create meaningful portraits of their loved ones. Registration forms coming soon.

Spring Community Art Day
2025-04-12 13:30 - 15:30 | Ellen Noel Art Museum, 4909 E. University, Odessa, TX, 79762, United States
Come celebrate 40 years of art, creativity, and community at the Ellen Noël Art Museum! As we reflect on the past four decades, we invite you to experience our special exhibition, 40 Years, 40 Artists, showcasing incredible works that highlight the Museum’s rich history and artistic impact. Enjoy a day filled with hands-on art activities for all ages and a special artist talk and demonstration by Baron Batch, whose dynamic work and creative process will inspire art lovers of all kinds. This free event is open to the entire community—whether you’re a longtime supporter or a first-time visitor, we welcome you to join us for this milestone celebration. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to honor the past, engage with art in the present, and look forward to the future of the Museum!
Best of all, this exciting activity is completely FREE and open to ALL AGES! Bring your family, friends, or just yourself, and let your imagination run wild. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to celebrate love and creativity in a fun, relaxed setting. We can’t wait to see what you create!

Art Talk
2025-04-17 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-05-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Ellen Noel Art Museum, 4909 E. University, Odessa, TX, 79762, United States
Join us for an engaging evening at the Ellen Noël Art Museum’s Art Talk! This event is a wonderful opportunity for art enthusiasts to come together and delve into the mysteries of a particular painting as they enhance their visual literacy skills. Gather with friends and fellow art lovers as we interpret, comprehend, and appreciate the art in ways that advance thinking, decision-making, communication and learning.
Art Talk is all about exploring different perspectives and sparking lively conversation. Whether you’re an art aficionado or just curious, share your thoughts and insights in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. We go through a three question process that allows visitors to share their perceptions while viewing a piece of art from our Permanent Collection.
Come be a part of Art Talk at the Ellen Noël Art Museum and experience art in a whole new way. We can’t wait to see you there!

Toward 2025
2025-04-21 08:00 - 2025-06-01 20:00 | Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. GALVIN PARKWAY, Phoenix, AZ, 85008, United States
DATE: Now – June 1
TIME: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
PRICE: Included in Membership and General Admission

Explore an engaging exhibit led by textile-based artist Ann Morton, centered on community and environment. TOWARD 2050 invites the public to craft handmade artworks that express their views on the environment. These unique creations will come together in a captivating labyrinth installation at the Garden that encourages visitors to take steps towards addressing climate change.

About the Artist
Ann Morton is a textile-based artist, educator and social practitioner ​living in Phoenix, Arizona. Her work utilizes traditional fiber techniques as conceptual tools for aesthetic, social communication to examine a society of which we are all a part — as bystanders, participants, victims and perpetrators. She is driven by a desire to employ her art as a voice for advocacy. The work reflects her own handwork, but also orchestrates the handwork from a variety of community participants through public interventions that seek to harness the power in the act of making for social purpose.
View additional exhibit information here.

May 3, 2025 is World Labyrinth Day

Guided Labyrinth Experience 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. at Sunset Plaza with artist Ann Morton and labyrinth expert Jennifer Waldron.

First 100 visitors will receive a commemorative button.

The Leaf Connection
2025-04-21 08:00 - 2025-08-24 20:00 | Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. GALVIN PARKWAY, Phoenix, AZ, 85008, United States
DATES: Now through Aug. 24
TIMES: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
PRICE: Included with Membership or General Admission.
The Leaf Connection showcases the vibrant plant diversity of the Phoenix metro area through an intricate display of hand-made, ceramic leaves at Webster Center. With more than 1,000 ceramic pieces, each leaf’s design is influenced by observations community scientists record on iNaturalist, an established online platform where nature lovers share information on biodiversity.
During the course of the exhibit, local artist Mary Meyer will periodically add new ceramic leaves as more people contribute observations on iNaturalist. The Garden invites guests to engage with this distinctive art installation, offering a captivating opportunity to reconnect with nature.
Exhibition unavailable during private events.
Mary Meyer is a sculptor and mixed media artist whose work utilizes systems of carved components that investigate the intimate connections between community and botanicals. Originally trained in stone carving, she is drawn to meditative processes and materials such as clay, wood and metal that foster the intuitive exploration of form. Meyer has lived in Arizona for more than 28 years. She holds a BFA in sculpture from Arizona State University where she studied foundry casting methods and metalworking. She completed her graduate studies at the University of Arizona, where she received the MFA Fellowship for her work with large mixed media installations. The artist has exhibited at the Phoenix Art Museum; Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum; Tucson Museum of Art; and FOMA Gallery Santa Fe, among others. Public collections include Sky Harbor International Airport Museum; Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art; City of Tempe; and Royal Caribbean International. She is an alumni member of Phoenix artist collectives Eye Lounge Contemporary Artspace and MARS Artspace, and has served as an adjunct professor teaching sculpture and 3D Design at Arizona State University, Scottsdale Community College and Chandler-Gilbert Community College. She lives and works in Gold Canyon, AZ, and has a studio at Cattle Track Arts Compound in Scottsdale.

Object of the Month: Ruben Ochoa, Zoned Out In The 90045
2025-04-24 11:30 - 12:00 | Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 North Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ, 85004, United States
Join Museum Docents for an in-depth exploration of a single work of art. These 30-minute, interactive gallery talks spark connections and conversation about the featured object’s history, meaning, and relationship to other works in the collection.
Featured in the exhibition The Collection: 1960 – Now, Ruben Ochoa’s Zoned Out in the 90045 depicts Ficus trees breaking through Los Angeles sidewalks. Join Docent Michelle Notricia as she examines this suite of six chromogenic prints, drawing parallels between nature’s resilience in overcoming human-made barriers and natural disasters and the perseverance of immigrant communities.

Family Studio
2025-04-26 10:00 - 12:30 | Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 North Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ, 85004, United States
Presented in the classroom located in the admin building.
Limited capacity. Advance registration required.
TICKETS: $20 for Members/$10 for youth Members (ages 8-17) | $40 for the general public/$20 for youth (ages 8-17)
Join designer Leonar Aispuro for a hands-on workshop inspired by the designs of Anna Sui, whose garments are on view in exhibition The World of Anna Sui. Participants will get to explore creativity through custom-printed textiles and create a scarf, bow, or sew a stuffed doll, blending fashion design with playful artistry.
Family Studio is a collaborative workshop designed for children ages eight and up, along with their parents or caregivers, to experience and create art together. You’ll be guided through the art-making activity, gaining insights into its artistic value and unique characteristics. Each session includes a conversation in the galleries about the workshop’s inspired artwork on display, followed by a hands-on studio art activity. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or simply looking for a memorable family experience, this event offers enjoyment for all ages. The workshop includes all art-making materials, instruction, and general admission to the museum. All children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.
About the Teaching Artist
Leonor Aispuro is a Mexico born fashion designer with a focus on sustainable and ethical design. Drawing inspiration from nature, intricate construction of vintage clothing, and traditional sewing techniques, Leonor creates textiles and ready to wear pieces adorned with natural hues and unique motifs.
Family Studio is made possible by Jane A. Lehman and Alan G. Lehman Foundation.

Create Playdate
2025-04-26 11:00 - 15:00 | Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 North Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ, 85004, United States
Create Playdate
Want to make art inspired by your favorite Phoenix Art Museum works on view? Create Playdate offers young artists a hands-on maker experience during their visit through our mobile, in-gallery art cart. Each week’s Create Playdate offers a fresh and fun theme featuring an artwork on view, an art making activity to do at the Museum, and kids’ projects to extend the fun at home!
Create Playdate is included in general admission and no registration is required. Drop in any Saturday between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
April 2025
Saturday, April 5, 12, 19, 26 | 11 AM – 3 PM
Contemporary photography exhibition Widening the Lens: Photography, Ecology, and the Contemporary Landscapehighlights how photography has altered our access to, understanding of, and impact on the natural world and our role within the landscape. Inspired by Edra Soto’s El Destino panel installation, visitors will reflect on the personal places that have shaped their own lives. Visitors will then have an opportunity to create their own kaleidoscope viewfinders using available materials and photographs.
Programs take place onsite in the galleries at Phoenix Art Museum. Create Playdate is free for members and included in general admission for the general public.

Create Playdate is made possible by First Things First, The Discount Tire Endowment for Children’s Art Programs, and the William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fund for Education Programs.

Embroidery Workshop
2025-04-26 13:30 - 15:30 | Ellen Noel Art Museum, 4909 E. University, Odessa, TX, 79762, United States
Learn beginning embroidery and appliqué techniques with artist Kasie Lunson to create an original mixed media textile. This workshop will provide all the supplies and instruction needed to get started on your artwork that can be finished after the workshop ends. Ages 18+
For more information, contact Annie Stanley at education@noelartmuseum.org or (432) 550-9696 x 213

Object of the Month: Madonna and Child
2025-05-01 11:30 - 12:00, 2025-05-15 11:30 - 12:00, 2025-05-22 11:30 - 12:00 | Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 North Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ, 85004, United States
Object of the Month
Free for Members | Included with general admission for the general public
Reserve your spot at the Visitor Services desk.
Join Museum Docents for an in-depth exploration of a single work of art. These 30-minute, interactive gallery talks spark connections and conversation about the featured object’s history, meaning, and relationship to other works in the collection.
Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, Madonna and Child
This May, as we honor the mothers in our lives, join Master Docent Sherry Koopot for an exploration of Baroque painter Giovanni Francesco Barbieri’s Madonna and Child. In Christian art, Mary has long been depicted as the devoted mother of the infant Jesus. However, in today’s context, she represents far more-embodying maternal compassion, motherhood, and the strength of femininity.

Poetry, Art and Music Night
2025-05-01 17:30 - 20:00 | Allison Fine Arts Building, 3600 N Garfield St, Midland, TX, 79705, United States
Midland College is celebrating the accomplishments of students in Fine Arts & Communications with the Hilda Simmons Levitt Poetry Contest, the Student Art Show, and a Student Music Concert!

Each event will be held in the Allison Fine Arts Building, on Thursday, May 1st! The times for each are as follows:

5:30 P.M. – Hilda Simmons Levitt Poetry Contest
6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. – Student Art Show Reception
7:00 P.M. – Student Music Performance

Create Playdate
2025-05-03 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-05-10 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-05-17 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-05-24 11:00 - 15:00 | Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 North Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ, 85004, United States
Create Playdate
Want to make art inspired by your favorite Phoenix Art Museum works on view? Create Playdate offers young artists a hands-on maker experience during their visit through our mobile, in-gallery art cart. Each week’s Create Playdate offers a fresh and fun theme featuring an artwork on view, an art making activity to do at the Museum, and kids’ projects to extend the fun at home!
Create Playdate is included in general admission and no registration is required. Drop in any Saturday between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
May 2025
Saturday, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 | 11 AM – 3 PM
Inspired by the annual migration of monarch butterflies from Canada to Mexico, Carlos Amorales conceived Black Cloud as a “swarm” of moths that take over museum spaces, rising to envelop the viewer. Made up of 25,000 black paper moths and butterflies of 30 different species, the installation forms a surreal, yet sublime gathering of insects delicately poised in sculptural formations. Visitors will create their own black paper moth and butterfly covered artwork.
Programs take place onsite in the galleries at Phoenix Art Museum. Create Playdate is free for members and included in general admission for the general public.
Create Playdate is made possible by First Things First, The Discount Tire Endowment for Children’s Art Programs, and the William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fund for Education Programs.

Adventures in Art: Painting
2025-05-04 14:30 - 16:30 | Ellen Noel Art Museum, 4909 E. University, Odessa, TX, 79762, United States

Celebration of the Arts
2025-05-16 - 2025-05-18 | Bush Convention Center, 105 N. Main Street, Midland, TX, 79701, United States
Celebration of the Arts (COA), organized by the Arts Council of Midland, returns for our 41st year! COA is the cornerstone fine art, fine craft event in the Permian Basin, and is the longest running downtown event in Midland, Texas. COA has a strong reputation locally, with community support year after year, and draws out of town visitors. The festival hosts local entertainers and performers, non-profit organizations, family-friendly activities, and special events throughout the weekend. On Friday evening, we hold a ticketed Premier Party showcasing our juried visual artists to sponsors and ticketed guests. On the following Saturday & Sunday, the festival opens to the general public. Beat the heat inside the air conditioned Bush Convention Center and enjoy a great time with the family!

COA Premiere Party: Friday, May 16, 2025 | 7 – 10PM | Ticketed EventCOA Festival Day: Saturday, May 17, 2025 | 10AM – 5PM | Free Admission
Family FUN Block Party: 10AM – 5PM | Free Admission
Classic Car Club: Sunday, May 18, 2025 | 10:30AM – 2PM | Free Admission
COA Festival Day: Noon – 5PM | Free Admission
Tea & Me Party: 1 – 2PM | Ticketed Event
Afternoon Tea: 2:30 – 4:30PM | Ticketed Event
​​Art just happens! Get your tickets and join us on the evening of May 16 for a sense of awe and wonder at our Premier Party! Enjoy a wide assortment of heavy hors d’ oeuvres and adult beverages. Everyone is an artist, waiting to brighten the room. Jump into the visual artists hall to shop original artwork before the festival opens Saturday. Bring the entire family! Live art demonstrations, music, and silent auction benefiting the Arts Council of Midland! Fun for all ages!

Earn the Taliesin West Fun Patch
2025-05-17 09:00 | Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, 12621 N Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ, 85259-2537, United States
Date:
May 17, 2025; 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Price:
Girl Scouts $25.00
Adult chaperones $10.00
Earn the Taliesin West Fun Patch! During this workshop, girls will take a tour of Taliesin West and learn about Frank Lloyd Wright and his architectural designs. Then they will get to design their own floor plans and begin work on their own 3D model building to take home! The Taliesin West Fun Patch IS included in the cost of this program and will be given to girls at the end of the workshop. Due to the tools involved in making our models, this program is recommended for girls aged 9-14
