July 25, 2017
ROOSEVELT ROW
by J.B. Snyder
For a little over two years Phoenix artist J.B. Snyder operated popular 4th Street gallery/studio The Allery, providing work space for six other artists in a bungalow just a few doors off of Roosevelt St. in the trendy Roosevelt Row arts district. One of the most prolific mural artists in the Phoenix area, Snyder—whose distinctive combination of colorful shapes and looped line work are easily recognized—painted this mural (along with Tato Caraveo who painted the other end of the wall—see May 20 post) just north of The Allery for the owner of both properties. Not an uncommon story in arts districts everywhere, Snyder joins a growing list of galleries and artists forced out of Phoenix’s changing urban landscape. Boston-born Snyder, who was a professional rollerblade skater for a while in Los Angeles and is no stranger to picking up and moving, loves Phoenix and hopes to make it work but also told Phoenix New Times in early 2017 that he’s been doing work in other cities and if it looks like he needs to relocate again “Denver is a good possibility.” @jb_snyder
