Broadreach Capital Partners will unveil two important public art projects in downtown Phoenix on Friday, April 4, as well as celebrate the grand opening of the Phoenix Madison Square Garden Museum at the dedication ceremony of its Grace Court project, a recently completed 300,000-square-foot office complex.

The Phoenix Madison Square Garden Museum, which is located within the Grace Court project, was created by Broadreach to commemorate the famed arena. The museum pays homage to Phoenix Madison Square Garden’s pugilistic and entertainment history through interpretive displays illustrating key events, activities and personalities, according to historian Vincent Murray.

Built in 1929 for professional boxing and wrestling matches and named after the famous venue in New York City, the largest indoor arena in Phoenix at the time soon became an established venue for many local entertainment acts, including Wayne Newton, Marty Robbins and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Duane Eddy who made his debut at Phoenix Madison Square Garden. These and other activities are memorialized on the bronze plaques mounted on a simulated boxing ring.

Visible steel trusses from the original building as well as salvaged plaster ornaments are also incorporated into the museum’s design. Two nine-foot abstracted bronze figures, titled “The Opponents” sculpted by artist Rebecca Thompson are located at the front of the Museum on Seventh Street and serve as guardians of the site, according to the artist.

Also being unveiled is Thompson’s “The Phoenix” a sustainable 28-foot rammed earth monument that was designed as a gateway feature to the western entrance to downtown.

Rebecca Thompson has created two stunning sculptures for the recently completed Grace Court Office Project, located on the Southwest Corner of 7th Ave & Van Buren in Downtown Phoenix.  Thompson's 28 ft high "rammed earth" sculpture with bronze relief makes a fantastic cornerpiece to the Project.  Her two 9 ft tall bronze "Opponents" stand guard over the entrance to the Phoenix Madison Square Garden Museum also located at the site.

Reception is Friday, April 4th from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM.  The Artist will be present.

The Grace Court Project is a recently completed 300,000 sq ft office complex consisting of 2 new office buildings and the renovated Grace Court Historic School Building. 

Visible steel trusses from the original 1929 Madison Square Garden building are incorporated into the design of the Museum entrance. 

Next Friday is a big day for ASU's Downtown Phoenix Campus!

We are excited to host Juan Williams (of NPR fame) at the innagural Community Advocacy Symposium. Through "Vision Mapping" (solutions through art) and focused breakout sessions, students, faculty, and community members will begin a dialog concerning pertinant civil rights issues.

This event is open to the public, and I highly encourage you to attend. In fact, I will be co-leading the breakout session on Economic Justice. There are more sessions, just in case that one doesn't sound interesting. I have a full listing of those sessions, and even more information at my blog here.

After the Community Advocacy Symposium, ASU will join Downtown Phoenix in celebrating First Fridays. The entire University Center Building will be open to the public, full of live music and art created by local nonprofit organizations. Can't wait to see you all next Friday!

April 4 at Hoskin Ryan Consultants 6 to 9 pm
201 West Indian School Road, Phx
South side of 2nd Ave. and Indian School

Join the Modern Phoenix folks for the official kickoff reception for Modern Phoenix Week this April 4! Enjoy works by four artists and ecofriendly noshes by Cater Conscious in the iconic Valley National Bank Building designed by Herman Jacoby of Weaver and Drover in the late 50s. Come early, the building is beautiful by sunset!

The Artists
Jason Hill - Silkscreen prints and photo painitngs
Regina Alexandra - Modern quilts
Al Glann - Monumental steel scuplture
Alison King - Mixed media prints and paintings

April 4. Two- and three-dimensional artwork literally or conceptually interpreting a space of beauty and tranquility.  Artists will address this theme in their own characteristic styles in a variety of original media. The exhibit is on display and artwork is available for purchase through June 29, 2008.  

Herberger Theater Center, 5:30 to 7:00 PM. Free. For information, call 602-254-7399, ext. 105 or get info online

Local talent Doug Bale will be playing his acoustical guitar and showing some of his art during First Friday at the Coup de Grace Gallery.  A few other local artists will be displaying their work.  For a good time, come by.  6 to 9 PM or ?

707 S 3rd St, just south of the Phoenix Warehouse District and across from the Bentley Projects Gallery.

602 663 6103 or cdggallery@hotmail.com for more info

CDG Webpage