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The Evolution of Obliq Art

“From Gallery to Catalyst”

Obliq Art opened in downtown Phoenix like a small spark in a concrete canyon.
Four walls turned into a crossroads at the Arizona Center—where paintings met poems,
movement met music, and the city remembered its pulse.
What began as a gallery became a platform for discovery, lifting new voices in poetry,
dance, theatre, and community projects—and pushing the district toward a brighter hum.
Obliq didn’t just hang shows; it moved the needle on vibrancy in the Valley.

Our downtown gallery served as a launchpad for contemporary artists in the Valley.

From there, our vision expanded to New City Studio, where we curated exhibitions that invited conversation and connection. Each show brought together artists across disciplines, building bridges between creative communities.

[Photo: Exhibit opening at New City Studio
Curating at New City Studio deepened our role in fostering collaborative exhibitions.

When the pandemic arrived, we reimagined how art could be experienced. Our home, perched on the edge of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, transformed into both a working studio and a private gallery. More than a space—it became a gathering place for professional creatives: painters, sculptors, musicians, filmmakers, and chefs, all making their living through their craft.
Our home became a sanctuary for professional creatives during uncertain times.

Out of this shift came the Soiree series—invitation-only gatherings created to connect artists in a meaningful, authentic way. Equal parts salon and celebration, the Soirees grew into an annual tradition where ideas, collaborations, and friendships took root.
The Soirees brought together artists, ideas, and lasting collaborations.

By Soiree #9 in October 2025, the series had become a defining part of the Valley’s creative calendar.

Photo: Soiree #9 highlight moment
Soiree #9 marked the closing of a beloved chapter in Phoenix.

Now, Obliq Art has closed its Valley chapter and relocated full-time to Prescott, AZ. Here, surrounded by mountain light and open skies, new ideas are taking shape—fresh opportunities for artists to share work, build connections, and sustain their creative lives.

Photo: Prescott landscape or new studio space
Prescott offers a new landscape for the next chapter of Obliq Art.

Larry J. Ortega