A Show of Resistance

Art has long been a force for revolution, reflection, and reform. A Show of Resistance, opening June 2, 2025, at First Studio Gallery, is a powerful testament to the role artists play in shaping conversations, confronting injustice, and imagining a more equitable future.

This bold, multi-artist exhibition, presented in partnership between Arizona Art Alliance and First Studio Gallery, features 150 compelling works selected from over 200 submissions nationwide. Eighty of these pieces were chosen to be exhibited at First Studio Gallery.  The virtual exhibition offers a broader platform for artists’ expression and ensuring accessibility to audiences beyond Arizona.

The artwork spans a range of media, styles, and voices, unified by a common thread: resistance. Whether addressing personal battles or global challenges, the selected artists use their creative expression as both mirror and megaphone, inviting viewers to engage, reflect, and act.

A Collective Effort for Change

A Show of Resistance is more than an exhibition—it’s a movement. Hosted in the iconic First Studio building—Arizona’s first radio and television studio and now a creative hub in the heart of downtown Phoenix—the show reflects a deep commitment to curating thought-provoking, socially conscious art. First Studio Gallery is a collaborative curatorial effort led by Kristine Kollasch, alongside Ellen Nemetz, Marnelle North, and Tess Mosko Scherer.

The exhibition is made possible in partnership with Arizona Art Alliance, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to enriching Arizona’s arts landscape. For 25 years, AzAA has supported community-building through exhibitions, education, and outreach—offering programs for veterans, individuals affected by suicide and grief, and those working in healthcare.

Attend, Engage, Reflect

You are invited to attend the Opening Reception on June 6 from 5:00–9:00 PM, as part of Downtown Phoenix’s First Fridays. The Closing Reception will be held August 1, also from 5:00–9:00 PM. Outside of these events, the gallery is open by appointment—please contact FirstStudioGallery@gmail.com.

FIRST STUDIO GALLERY |  631 N 1st Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003
For more information, follow @FirstStudioGallery and @AZArtAlliance on social media.

Scroll down to see the artwork. Click on each to learn more about each artist.