The Canal Convergence outdoor immersive art show is returning to the Scottsdale Waterfront in November with 10 nights of free exhibits and activities.
The annual event will showcase works by artists from all over the world in mediums including light, music and dance. Large-scale artworks will illuminate the Scottsdale Waterfront every night beginning Friday, Nov. 3, until Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023.
To celebrate the 11th year of Canal Convergence, this year’s theme will be “The Power of Play.” There will be creative workshops, educational activities, food trucks, live performances and more. Visit canalconvergence.com to check out the full list of events.
Here’s your guide to Canal Convergence 2023 in Scottsdale.
Is Scottsdale Canal Convergence free?
It’s free to view the artworks of Canal Convergence along the Scottsdale Waterfront.
Canal Convergence 2023 events
Some artist workshops and other activities charge a fee. Events include a Canal History Tour, silk painting, mask making for kids, patch printing, live performances and more.
Find out more at canalconvergence.com/events.
Canal Convergence 2023 exhibits
Eight large-scale works by an international roster of artists will be on display with the theme “The Power of Play.” Here’s what you can see:
“Aquatics” by Philipp Artus (Berlin): An interactive, projection-based art installation of an underwater world where animated sea creatures designed by the audience via a tablet swim around and interact with each other.
“Dice” by Iregular Digital Art Studio (Montreal): This sculpture consists of five white cubes floating above the Arizona Canal that invite viewers to play with their shadows.
“Flario” by Walter Productions (Phoenix): This fire-shooting art installation is inspired by the archetypal end-game level found in classic side-scrolling video games of years past.
“Light Forest” by Abram Santa Cruz (Los Angeles): Sixteen pillars emit light and sound to create a unique audio-visual experience that immerses viewers in experimental electronic music, synchronized with a dazzling light show.
“Octavius” by Peter Hazel (Reno, Nevada): This giant octopus sculpture is covered in 250,000 hand-made ceramic tiles with suckers and eye created from fused glass.
“Ripple” by Ithaca Studio (Brighton, U.K.): This light and sound installation invites viewers to create ripples of lights overhead, mirrored on the surface of the canal.
“Spectrum Swing” by Lindsay Glatz (New Orleans): The piece evokes the wondrous experience of rainbows through a series of swings suspended below a trio of rainbow sculptures.
“Sym” by AlexP (Uithoorn, The Netherlands): Spectators will use a flashlight like a paintbrush to create temporary, light-based artworks.
Canal Convergence parking
Canal Convergence takes place along the north and south sides of the Arizona Canal, between Scottsdale Road and Goldwater Boulevard south of Camelback Road.
There’s plenty of parking within walking distance. Here are the parking garages that are closest to Canal Convergence:
- Nordstrom parking garage, 7002 E. Via Soleri Drive.
- Scottsdale Fashion Square lots and garages, 7014 E. Camelback Road.
- Waterfront underground parking garage, 7135 E. Camelback Road.
- Southbridge underground parking garage, 71016 E. Stetson Drive.
Canal Convergence 2023 in Scottsdale
When: Friday, Nov. 3-Sunday, Nov. 12.
Where: Scottsdale Waterfront, 7135 E. Camelback Road.
Admission: Free.
Details: https://canalconvergence.com.
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Meredith G. White is the entertainment reporter for The Arizona Republic |azcentral.com. You can find her on Facebook as Meredith G. White, on Instagram and Twitter as @meredithgwhite, and email her atmeredith.white@arizonarepublic.com.
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