"My Life with Lee Harvey Oswald" @ Willo North Paul Wilson's on a mission to redefine Lee Harvey Oswald -- yes, the Oswald who allegedly shot and killed President John F. Kennedy. "I want him to be innocent," Wilson says. "In my reinvention of the man I have chosen to depict him as he might have been, had he not been associated with the events of November 1963: Light and tasteful but often absurd." Wilson's known for his wicked sense of humor. The local artist remade The Poseidon Adventure, and completed a similar (and slightly obsessive) exhibition in honor of actor Parker Stevenson. In "My Life with Lee Harvey Oswald," on view through July 27 at Willo North Gallery, Wilson shows his latest work -- a collection of drawings, models, and lifesize cutouts of Oswald the artist, the singer, the heartthrob, the stand-in for Mona Lisa.
"Garden of Thorns" @ Icehouse Curated by Icehouse owner Helen Hestenes, "Garden of Thorns" showcases the efforts of 25 different artists, including Pete Deise, painters Rafael Navarro and J.B. Snyder, illustrator Robert Steinhilber, and designer Christopher Wick. The exhibition is considered to be an "extension" of the Icehouse's courtyard "Garden of Thorns" greenery/installation, which was created by Hestenes and memorializes local artists who have passed away.
"Skid Roo" @ monOrchid Isaac Caruso spoke with and took portraits of a few of his favorite artists, gallery owners, designers, and business owners on Roosevelt Row, and from the photographs, he created abstract portraits in illustrator, which he printed on large, heavy paper and installed casually on the gallery walls.The portraits (including painters Thomas Marcus, Frank Ybarra, Lalo Cota, and Lee Hazel, designer Daniel Davis, Roosevelt Row's Cindy Dach, and the owners of Songbird Coffee and Tea House, which is coming soon to the monOrchid building) are people Caruso says contribute to the culture of Roosevelt Street -- a place he's been hanging out around since he was 17.
• There is a ton going on, so get there early, find a parking spot, get a snack (and a water bottle), and pace yourself.
• The Phoenix Art Museum has great parking (and great art, go figure) and is back as one of the stops for the First Friday Trolley.
• On-street parking is limited along Roosevelt Street between First and Seventh streets. Or if you can nab a spot, check out the free street parking on Grand Avenue.
• If you missed it, our 20th limited-edition jackalope sticker by Eric Iwersen will be on the map tonight. Pick one (or two) up at one of the galleries listed on our map.