The doors to four Phoenix homes will be opened to the public as part of the Friends of Mexican Art’s annual Home Tour and Mexican Mercado scheduled for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22. Tickets are $35.
This historic home in the Arcadia area, which has been filled with an extensive collection of Mexican and Spanish Colonial antiques and a wide array of fine art, is one of four unique homes on this year’s Friends of Mexican Art annual Home Tour and Mexican Mercado (submitted photo).
Ticket holders for this special fund-raising event will be invited to experience homes that have historical importance and contain fascinating and eclectic art adorning all available surfaces. What pulls these collections together is the homeowners’ love of the art works and their inventiveness in displaying it.
Home on the tour include El Chaparral, which was built in 1936 as the winter home of Jack and Henrietta Louis, and currently is home to their granddaughter and her family. This beautifully preserved Arcadia residence was designed by the architect of Camelback Inn, Edward Loomis Bowes, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The homeowners are enthusiastic art collectors and have works by Kevin Sloan, Jim Davis, Jon Muth, and Philip Curtis to mention a few.
A completely remodeled 1957 ranch in Sherwood Heights houses an eclectic art collection that is the result of the homeowner’s world travels, which includes visits to 48 countries.
Casa Amable, or “friendly house,” is an Arcadia adobe with history, character, and artwork everywhere. Originally built in 1915, though a portion of the structure is believed to date back to 1895, this home has been cared for lovingly by its residents over the years and was a Designer’s Showcase home in 1990. The current owner purchased the home in 1997 and filled it with his extensive collection of Mexican and Spanish Colonial antiques and a wide array of fine art.
A 1952 ranch style home in Fairway Park features a sprawling desert landscaped front and a generous open backyard. Inside, the original rounded brick fireplace shares space with artworks by R.C. Gormon, Frank Howell, Delona Roberts, Diane Hansen and Alexandra Nechita, to name but a few. The home has a wonderful southwestern feel along with a varied assortment of artworks. It will be the location of this year’s Mercado, which will host several dealers in Mexican art, jewelry, crafts, collectibles, and more.
Tickets are available at The Purple Lizard, 2827 N. 15th Ave., Phoenix, 602-728-0980. Tickets also can be purchased online at www.friendsofmexicanart.org. On the day of the home tour, call 602-334-6585 for the location where tickets can be purchased directly.
