Art magazine supports local artists
Sarah Evans
The Tempe Starving Artist (TSA) magazine celebrated its one year anniversary at the Stray Cat Bar and Grill on Friday, Sept. 24.Robbie Pfeffer, an ASU student and editor-in-chief of TSA magazine, started the magazine at the age of 20 with his friends who all decided to put together a compilation of their own art.
“We put it out as kind of a joke, and we got really good feedback,” Pfeffer said.
JonDo Fet, events manager for the magazine, stated TSA supports the diversity of the local art scene which stretches from music to painting and jewelry to graffiti.
“It’s not about what we can or can’t put into (TSA); it’s all about the creativity that people put into their art. It’s the creative art that makes TSA a great magazine,” Fet said.
At the event Fet managed a graffiti contest that allowed the local artists to showcase their skills.
“A lot of times the underground art doesn’t really get seen. You hear a lot about LA, you hear a lot about New York, but you don’t hear much about Pheonix,” Pfeffer said.
He stated that TSA wants to change the national perception of Arizona art.
“(TSA) is showing that Arizona has more to offer in the art scene than just pictures of cactuses.”
Many local artists had art on display while they worked on projects in front of a diverse audience.
Daniel Navarrette, a local airbrush artist, had many finished pieces, but continued to paint for the on-looking crowd.
“I’m doing my live art, and supporting the local art scene, and the Tempe Starving Artists,” Navarrette said.
Pfeffer stated that TSA is constantly evolving.
“(The magazine) is all a work in progress. We didn’t have this giant idea; we just put out what we had and grew from there. First you see 12 people, then its 24, and then you have 30 people. Now we have a community of people.” he said.
Eric Ritchie, along with the two other owners of Stray Cat Bar and Grill, aimed to maintain a comfortable atmosphere with What the Funk Fridays (WTF) put on by AWAL Productions.
“WTF Fridays is a hip hop night that AWAL Production puts on. it’s huge in here, it’s wall to wall, and there’s no cover unless we have a national act coming in,” Ritchie said.
The event often includes free live music and art.
“We have live artists performing, also 2 DJs backed by live musicians. It’s extremely comfortable, a diverse crowd,” Ritchie said.
Ritchie stated that 90 percent of the entertainment is local artists, local musicians, and local production companies.
The Tempe Starving Artist magazine is issued once a month, and can be found at local retailers on Mill Avenue.
TSA can be contacted at tempestarvingartist@yahoo.com.
