Fun & Cheap Things to Do During the Holiday Season in Tucson, Arizona

(NOTE TO THE EDITOR: I've added a lot more descriptive information to the events below and as much as I possibly could. )

Below are fun & cheap things to do during the 2010 holiday season in Tucson, Arizona. Most are free!

1. What: Celebration of Glass Art
Where: Glass Illusions Studio
Location: 150 S. Camino Seco, south of E. Broadway Blvd.
Hours: 10:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M.
Telephone number: 296-5752
Admission: Free
This exhibit features the glass art work done by these three local artists: Tom Philabaum, Patti Johnson and Mark Johnson.

2. What: Art in the Park
Where: Tohono Chul Park
Location: 7366 N. Paseo del Norte, north of W. Ina Road and west of N. Oracle Road
Hours: 11:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M.
Telephone number: 42-6455, Ext. 0
Admission: Free with $7.00 park admission
Website: www.tohonochulpark.org
This exhibit celebrating 25 years of connecting nature, art and culture features Southwestern artwork done by Native American and Southwestern artists. A tour is given at 11:00 A.M. through the Exhibit Hall, the Gallery and the Wells Fargo Gallery. The exhibit will run Tuesdays and Thursdays until December 30^th. The Exhibit Hall displays larger, multi-artist exhibitions, the Gallery features individual artists and smaller themed shows, and the Wells Fargo Gallery features selections from their permanent collection of Native American and Southwestern artists. Don't forget to visit The Wells Fargo Gallery, which is located all the way to the far side inside the park. The entire park exhibits will run Tuesdays and Thursdays until December 30^th.

3. What: Chinese History Exhibit
Where: Tucson Chinese Cultural Center
Location: 1288 W. River Road, west of N. Oracle Road
Hours: 9:00 A.M.-6:OO P.M.
Telephone number: 292-6900
Admission: Free
Website: www.tucsonchinese.org
This is an exhibit presented by the Tucson Chinese Association. The exhibit features photos of the Chinese in Southern Arizona. Memorabilia of Tucson's Chinese World War II veterans are also featured. The exhibit will run Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays until December 25^th. On Tuesdays and Thursdays the exhibit closes at 9:00 P.M.

4. What: DeGrazia's Tucson Story Exhibition
Where: DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun
Location: 6300 N. Swan Road, one mile north of SunriseDrive
Hours: 10:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M.
Telephone number: 299-9191
Admission: Free
Website: www.degrazia.org
On display are the original drawings and watercolors done by Tucson artist, Ted DeGrazia, which reflect Tucson's Story - historical events and places in the area, as it appeared to him. Visit the gift shop while at the Gallery.

5. What: The Holiday Bazaar
Where: WomanKraft Art Gallery (Castle)
Location: 388 S. Stone Avenue, near W. 14^th Street
Hours: 1:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M.
Telephone number: 629-9976
Admission: Free
Website: www.womankraft.org
At the bazaar will be handcrafted artwork for sale done mostly by local artists. Each item sold is unique and affordable. A fun place to browse for holiday gifts. Perfect for seasonal gift-giving, this show features affordable, unique and handcrafted artwork, most created by local artists! There will be an opening night reception on Saturday, December 4^th from 7:00 P.M.-10:00 P.M. The Holiday Bazaar runs Tuesdays - Saturdays, from 1:00 P.M.- 5:00 P.M. through December 22^nd.

6. What: Nature Photographs
Where: Campus Christian Center
Location: 715 N. Park Avenue
Hours: 9:00 A.M.-4:30 P.M.
Telephone number: 623-7575
Admission: Free
The Campus Christian Center Art Gallery at the University of Arizona is presenting this exhibit which displays the 'nature' digital photographs taken by photographer, Les Longino. Photographer Les Longino took these photographs in Arizona, Utah, and other parts of the Southwest. The photographs will be on display Monday-Friday until December 10^th. Les Longino has been working with digital photography for nine years, starting with a simple point and shoot camera. His nature photography focuses on formal elements in the image, such as pattern, texture, and the quality of the light and are presented in an unusual way. Some of the images in his photographs appear as abstract.

7. What: Alfeñique: The Sugar Sculptures of Guanajuato, Mexico
Where: Tucson Museum of Art
Location: 140 N. Main Avenue, east of N. Granada Avenue
Hours: 10:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.
Telephone number: 624-2333
Admission: general admission-$8.00, seniors-$6.00, students-$3.00 and Free for members, children under 12 and active military with ID.
Website: www.TucsonMuseumofArt.org
The amazing sculptures on display are made with confectioners' sugar and lemon juice. The sugar sculptures are folk art objects, produced in Guanajuto, Mexico, that depict hearts, skulls, animals, foods, fruit baskets and loads of other subjects. One of the most breathtaking sculptures is the Guanajuatan regional style altar. The entire exhibit is very unusual and a must-see. You may have seen some of these sculptures sold in local markets during the weeks prior to Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The exhibit will run every day except Monday until January 9, 2011. While at the Tucson Museum of Art also visit the Imaginary Dioramas by Judy Miller. Judy Miller first photographs figures from wax museums all over the world and sutures them into landscapes and interior scenes. Using the computer in a manipulative way, her results create alternate worlds. The frozen statutes and decorative attire of the figures in eerie stereotypical settings reinforces the disquieting qualities of the scenes Judy Miller sets out to portray. Her exhibit runs until January 30, 2011. Another exhibit there, titled, the Journey of Lewis and Clark displays paintings by 2 artists: Charles Fritz and Michael Haynes. This exhibit will run until January 23, 2011.

8. What: DeGrazia: A Retrospective
Where: Tucson Botanical Gardens, Porter Hall Gallery
Location: 2150 N. Alvernon Way, south of E. Grant Road
Hours: 8:30 A.M.-4:30 P.M.
Telephone number: 326-9686, Ext. 10
Admission: Botanical Gardens Admission-adults-$8.00; children-$4.00
On display will be 40 pieces of artwork done by local artist Ted De Grazia. A retrospective of De Grazia's works - watercolors, pastels on velour and pen and ink sketches - from the private collection of his daughter Catari, will be available for public viewing and purchase too. The extensive collection of artwork dates from the early 1950s to the late 1970s. The show will feature 16 framed pieces and nearly 30 unframed pieces of artwork. This exhibit will run every day until January 1, 2011. While there also visit the Wicked Plants exhibit. View plants that have an interesting ways to spread their seeds, protect themselves from getting eaten and get the food they need to survive. Some of their ways may be harmful to humans and pets - even deadly. This Wicked Plants exhibit investigates the many ways in which plants attack and how you can prevent yourself from becoming a victim.

9. What: Kaleidoscope Gallery Presents the Art of Barbara Amyx
Where: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Northwest Tucson
Location: 3601 W. Cromwell Drive, east of N. Thornydale Road
Hours: 11:30 A.M.-Noon, or by appointment
Telephone number: 825-3449
Admission: Free
Website: www.uucnwt.org
Barbara Amyx is known as a contemporary, mixed media artist. She uses very vivid colors in some of her artwork, which makes them beautiful and unique. Her artwork will be on display until December 4^th.

10. What: Exotic Habits by M. Diane Dale
Where: TIA Center Gallery-Tucson International Airport
Location: 7250 S. Tucson Blvd.
Hours: 24/7
Telephone number: 573-8187
Admission: Free
Website: www.FlyTucsonAirport.com
While at the airport, visit this exhibit. M. Diane Dale's artwork on display features her Evolving Pond series, Bird's Nests series, and several of her Pet Project pet portraits. One of her interesting watercolor paintings is titled, Empty Nest Syndrome I. Her artwork will be on display until December 31, 2010.

11. What: Natural Causes
Where: TIA Upper Link Gallery
Location: 7250 S. Tucson Blvd.
Hours: 24/7
Telephone number: 573-8187
Admission: Free
Website: www.FlyTucsonAirport.com
While at the airport, visit this exhibit. This exhibit features paintings by Troy Boswell and desert poetry and ceramic sculptures done by Tom Kerrigan. The exhibit will run until December 17, 2010.

12. What: William A. Wiggin's Dia de los Muertos
Where: TIA Security Checkpoint B
Location: 7250 S. Tucson Blvd.
Hours: 24/7
Telephone number: 573-8187
Admission: Free
Website: www.FlyTucsonAirport.com
While at the airport, visit this exhibit. This exhibit, Viva de los Muertos, features the paintings done by William A. Wiggins III portraying the Day of the Dead. The exhibit runs until December 31, 2010.

13. What: QUUilters
Where: Artist of the Month Gallery, Unitarian Universalist Church
Location: 4831 East 22nd Street, east of S. Swan Road
Hours: 9:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M.
Telephone number: 748-1551
Admission: Free
A variety of handmade quilts made with contemporary and traditional designs will be on display in the Gallery. The exhibit runs Tuesday-Thursday until December 2^nd.

14. What: Small Wonders Exhibit and Fundraising Sale
Where: The Drawing Studio
Location: 33 South Sixth Avenue, between W. Congress Street and E. Broadway Blvd.
Hours: 12:00 P.M.-4:00 P.M.
Telephone number: 690-0947
Admission: Free
Website: www.thedrawingstudio.org
Everything on display and for sale is small and low priced. A fun place to browse and/or do your holiday shopping. All of the small items are great to decorate any office, or small space at home. Each item is unique. Half of the proceeds will benefit scholarships and programs at TDS. Go early and often to view this ever-changing exhibit, as sold pieces are always replaced with new ones. This exhibit and sale runs Tuesday-Saturday until December 18^th.

15. What: Southwestern Art/Special Show
Where: Illusions Gallery at Trail Dust Town
Location: 6541 E. Tanque Verde, Suite 27, west of E. Grant Road
Hours: 4:00 P.M.-9:00 P.M., or by appointment
Telephone number: 296 1950
Admission: Free
Website: www.illusionsgallerytucson.com
Southwestern art done by several artists will be on display. The exhibit runs Thursdays-Sundays until December 12^th.

16. What: Stories & Music of the Revolution: A Commemorative Exhibit on the Centennial of Mexico's Revolution
Where: Special Collections, University Libraries
Location: 1510 E. University Blvd.
Hours: 9:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M.
Telephone number: 621-6423
Admission: Free
Website: www.arizona.edu/libraries
"Stories & Music of the Revolution" commemorates the 200th anniversary of Mexico's Independence and the 100th anniversary of the Mexican Revolution. Some of the materials on display are collections including the papers of journalist, playwright, and women's rights advocate Sophie Treadwell and George Hunt, Arizona's first governor; unofficial correspondence among citizens, reminiscences written years after the incidents, the Arizona Southwest and Borderlands photograph collection, broadsides, sound recordings, corrido lyrics, sheet music drawn from the University Libraries' fine arts holdings, government circulars, wood-block engravings, and much more. Personal collections complement the materials selected from Special Collections. This exhibit, "Stories & Music of the Revolution" illustrates a sense of individual and collective experiences along the border from 1910 - 1920, the turbulent years of the Revolution. "Stories & Music of the Revolution" draws from Special Collections' expansive Borderlands materials to recreate the Revolution as experienced from two perspectives: those fighting for agrarian, economic, and other societal reforms and those seeking to stabilize the nation or remain in power. The exhibit is curated by librarians, Verónica Reyes-Escudero and Bob Diaz. A lecture series exploring the cultural, political, and economic legacy of the Revolution will be held throughout the fall in conjunction with the exhibit. The exhibit and lecture series are sponsored by the Friends of the University Libraries and the Consulate of Mexico in Tucson. The exhibit runs until December 20^th.

17. What: Tejidos Maya: Fine Guatemalan Textiles
Where: Academy Village Long Gallery
Location: 13701 E. Old Spanish Trail
Hours: 9:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M.
Telephone number: 647-7264
Admission: Free
The display features Roberta Lynn Hay's Guatemalan collection of clothing, accessories and decorative pieces from five village regions. The exhibit will run Monday-Friday until January 7, 2011. The Academy Café is open every day during the week.

18. What: The Edge of Vision: Abstraction in Contemporary Photography
Where: Center for Creative Photography
Location: 1030 N. Olive Road, west of N. Mountain Avenue
Hours: 9:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.
Telephone number: 621-7968
Admission: Free
Website: www.creativephotography.org
Abstract photos taken by more than twenty photgraphers will be on display.

19. What: Tom Walbank in Concert
Where: La Cocina at Old Town Artisans
Location: 201 N. Court Avenue, west of N. Stone Avenue
Hours: 7:00 P.M.-9:00 P.M.
Telephone number: 622-0351Admission: Free
Website: www.oldtownartisans.com
Come here the Blues. Tom was inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame in 2009. He will be here on Thursday, December 2, 2010.

20. What: The Secret Santa
Where: The Gaslight Theatre
Location: 7010 E. Broadway Blvd., at N. Kolb Road
Hours: Call for showtimes
Telephone number: 886-9428
Admission: $17.95 with discounts available
Website: www.theglasslighttheatre.com
This is a sixties holiday musical/comedy for all ages. The story of The Secret Santa takes place in the swinging sixties and it's the Christmas season in Merryville, but not everybody has the holiday cheer. Local politician, Maxwell Power is out to get rid of the Christmas spirit in the towns- people. As usual, Max will stop at nothing to get his way. Luckily, help comes from an unexpected place/person - a mysterious old toy maker. The toy maker and his assistant, Candy enlist the help of Reporter Barclay Baxter along the way and are determined to bring Christmas back into the heart of Merryville. Show times vary - up to three shows daily. The show runs until January 1, 2011.