Art for Everyone

Vision Gallery’s ever-changing canvas for creativity 

By Michelle Jacoby

In the heart of downtown Chandler, tucked inside the City Hall complex, Vision Gallery has quietly evolved into one of the East Valley’s most dynamic cultural destinations. With rotating exhibitions, interactive community programs and a deep commitment to inclusivity, the gallery offers a vibrant, ever-changing art experience — one that surprises and delights with each visit.

Founded in 1997 as a commercial gallery supported by the Chandler Cultural Foundation, Vision Gallery moved to its current space in 2010. Now operating under the umbrella of the Chandler Museum, its mission has shifted from selling art to showcasing it in ways that spark dialogue and reflect the city’s rich diversity.

“Our main focus is to highlight local, regional and sometimes national artists,” said exhibits curator Jillian Nakornthap. “We want this space to reflect the diversity of the Chandler community.”

No single style defines Vision Gallery. One month, visitors might encounter a bold graffiti wall; the next, delicate quilts or large-scale installations suspended from the ceiling. 

“We’ve shown everyone from graffiti artists to quilters,” Nakornthap said. In fact, the annual quilt exhibition — now in its 30^th year — is one of the gallery’s most beloved traditions.

Thematically curated group shows are another hallmark. “We had an exhibit called ‘Chasing Ghosts’ that dealt with grieving, and one called ‘Ties That Bind’ that focused on familial relationships,” Nakornthap said. “A recent exhibit, ‘Speak to Me Softly,’ featured work by female and nonbinary artists using soft materials to explore heavy topics.”

Community-centered exhibitions are a big part of the gallery’s programming, as well. One of the most popular was “Cruising,” a celebration of lowrider culture curated by a city staff member and local enthusiast. Complete with a car show outside the gallery, the event drew over 1,000 attendees.

Vision Gallery also extends its reach through a second exhibition space at the Chandler Center for the Arts — a perfect cultural detour before or after a show. This satellite gallery features smaller group and solo shows, open-call exhibitions and the annual Chandler Unified School District high school art exhibition. 

“We recently did an exhibition with Miguel Godoy, a local artist and Chandler resident who designed the ‘El Valle’ wording on the Phoenix Suns jersey,” Nakornthap said.

Outside the exhibitions, the gallery is committed to arts education and engagement. Programs like Vision Kids offer free art classes for children ages 6 to 16, while Art Social workshops give adults the chance to create and connect. Make & Take sessions invite families to drop in and craft together, with past activities ranging from origami to watercolor postcards.

Vision Gallery also partners with Chandler’s public art program, occasionally spotlighting artists who’ve designed city murals and utility box artwork. This fall, muralist Ariana Enriquez, whose work can be seen throughout Chandler, will present an installation inspired by the women in her family.

Whether you’re a dedicated art lover or simply strolling downtown, Vision Gallery offers something rare: a welcoming, accessible and thoughtfully curated art experience — one that’s free and open to all. The gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., inviting visitors to explore its ever-changing exhibitions at no cost. 

“It’s important that people feel welcome and not intimidated,” Nakornthap said. “Art is for everyone.”

And at Vision Gallery, it truly is.

To learn more, go to visiongallery.org.