When tourists come to Arizona, their initial impression is one of deserts, the Grand Canyon and possibly the odd music festival. Yet, Arizona has a rich history of art, particularly from the 1950s onwards. There are plenty of museums in the state that celebrate this, and show some of the wildest and wackiest designs in the US.
Ignite Sign Art Museum
The Ignite Sign Art Museum is a real homage to pop art advertising. It is the collection of Jude Cook, a Tucson resident and signmaker. The exhibits within contain everything from a huge hat to hand-painted gas station signs and neon shop frontage. They also have a lot of historical significance, with some dating way back before the museum came to acquire them.
With close proximity to Las Vegas, you can also expect some of the strip’s famous neon casino and slot signs. Today, these games have become extremely popular online as free slots no deposit games have attracted more players. With a wealth of modern games on offer, people are harking back to the classic casino signage as decorative statement pieces in homes and game rooms. This may soon be the only place you can see these pieces of history.
If you are interested, you can also find a second museum to sign named the Casa Grande Neon Sign Park. This has pieces from Arizona alone, charting the state’s history and businesses through its advertising hoards.
Art Car World
Art Car World is a fairly new addition to the list. It opened its doors in 2023 and is the creation of Harrod Blank. However, the phenomenon is a global one and the collection is curated from his own automobiles and those loaned to him from friends and members of the scene.
For those who don’t know, the art car movement is where old vehicles are taken and given imaginative, artistic makeovers. You will find estate cars covered in Mondrian prints, collaged VW Bugs, and buses filled with beautiful mosaics. The collection does occasionally change, however, so if you have something you want to see, check ahead to see if it is still included.
Museum of Kinetic Art & Surrealistic Pop Science Theater
In true Arizona fashion, Ned Schaper is somewhat of a pioneer. He is both a performer, poet, and sculptor all in one. Yet far before upcycling and recycling were popular, Ned used everyday unwanted items and trash as his medium. He collects these objects and then takes inspiration from them. What results are unique, moving kinetic sculptures.
The museum has 100 of these contained in its walls. They can be made from anything, from old electronics to toys and household items. Once forged, they then become part of his one-man theatre show. Even if a performance is not on, the expert guides will give you the lowdown on the items in front of you.
Arizona is alive with art and innovation. If you are a resident, check out some of these sights you may have overlooked. For those visiting, then make sure to add some of these fantastic cultural delicacies to your itinerary.
