Arizona Art Museums Open and Expand

February is lending fresh meaning to the term “art openings” in Arizona: The $10-million Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art made its debut on Valentine’s Day, and the Heard Museum in Phoenix, known for its Native American artifacts and art, will complete an $18-million expansion on Feb. 28.

The Heard will increase space by nearly 40%, adding three galleries, sculpture gardens, an auditorium and an artist’s studio, where visitors can watch an artist-in-residence at work. Hopi painter and jeweler Michael Kabotie Lomawywesa will be the first such artist, in March. The museum’s biggest event, the 41st annual Indian Fair and Market, will run 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. March 6 and 7; it’s included with museum admission ($7 adults, $6 seniors, $3 ages 4-12). The museum is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except holidays. Information: tel. (602) 252-8840.

The 20,200-square-foot Scottsdale museum has taken up residence in a former movie complex downtown. It has five indoor galleries, a sculpture garden and an 80-foot-long glass installation by New York artist James Fraser Carpenter. Among the opening exhibitions is one focusing on Alexander Calder’s circus-inspired works. Museum admission is $5 adults, free to ages 15 and under. The museum is closed Mondays; call for hours, tel. (602) 994-2787.