ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
Header Image: Installation view of George Elbert Burr: The Desert Etchings, 2025. Phoenix Art Museum. Photo: Katie Jones-Weinert
George Elbert Burr, Springtime-Paradise Valley-Arizona, 20th century. Etching. Gift of the Estate of Carolann Smurthwaite
Drawn from the Museum’s extensive collection of prints and drawings, George Elbert Burr: The Desert Etchings features more than 50 prints by the artist, who was instrumental in founding the Phoenix Fine Art Association and in the community-building efforts that led to the establishment of PhxArt in 1959. Burr was an American painter and printmaker best known for his depictions of high desert landscapes across Arizona, Colorado, and Southern California. Although less recognized than his European predecessors, his etchings of resolutely American subjects have been exhibited alongside those of revolutionary printmaker Albrecht Durër and revered Golden Age artist Rembrandt van Rijn.
EXHIBITION SPONSORS
The installation of the James K. Ballinger Wing, an initiative honoring the historic collections of Phoenix Art Museum and the visionary leadership of Director Emeritus James K. Ballinger, is organized by Phoenix Art Museum and made possible by generous gifts from the Virginia M. Ullman Foundation, the Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation, and Cathie Lemon. Additional support provided by Men’s Arts Council, Margaret T Morris Foundation, Carl and Marilynn Thoma Foundation, Harry and Rose Papp, and Gretchen and Brad Wilde.
George Elbert Burr: The Desert Etchings is organized by Phoenix Art Museum and curated by Olga Viso, the Selig Family Chief Curator and Director of Curatorial Affairs.
All exhibitions at Phoenix Art Museum are underwritten by the Phoenix Art Museum Exhibition Excellence Fund, founded by The Opatrny Family Foundation with additional major support provided by Joan Cremin.
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On view for a limited time, exhibitions present art from across the centuries and the globe, from iconic fashion to Old Master paintings, contemporary photography to historical objects of Asia.
MORECOLLECTIONS
Featuring more than 20,000 objects, the collection spans the globe, bringing the world to our city, and our city to the world.
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