Modified Arts was first opened in 1999 by local arts supporter Kimber Lanning, but is now run by the husband and wife team of Kim Larkin, director, and Adam Murray, associate director. They regularly host live music performances in their space on Roosevelt, in addition to showing exhibitions by regional, national and international artists, including showcases of contemporary painting, sculpture, works on paper, photography, multi-media and installation art. The minimalist gallery features wood floors, white walls with black ceilings, exposed brick and chic lighting to create an edgy urban space that draws the eye toward the art on display. Check out the online calendar for upcoming events, workshops, exhibitions, performances and more.

The 22,000-square-foot Bentley Projects gallery is housed in a historic building that was originally built in 1918 but has since been extensively renovated. The gallery exhibits painting, sculpture, photography, prints, video and site-specific installation works by prominent American and international artists, displayed in intimate viewing rooms as well as large exhibition areas with soaring bow-trussed ceilings and clerestory windows. The gallery is open by appointment only and is also available for private events. There is an additional, smaller Bentley gallery located in Scottsdale, which exhibits contemporary painting and sculpture by internationally recognized artists and rising painters and sculptors, as well as masterworks from the mid- and late 20th century. Art enthusiasts can peruse Bentley Projects’ entire inventory online, or contact them for personalized service regarding collecting and private functions.

Located nextdoor to Modified Arts is contemporary art space Eye Lounge, another gallery that's always packed on First Fridays during the downtown Phoenix Art Walk. A collective, artist-run gallery, Eye Lounge was founded in 1999 and has been in its current space since the end of 2001. Check it out to view developed art by up-and-coming artists from Phoenix and the region, including paintings, sculptures, multi-media, photography, installations and more. Visit the gallery online to view the event calendar and read more about featured artists past and present.

Five15 Arts is a collective, artist-run, contemporary art space committed to providing support and exhibition space to creative Arizona artists, and it's been featured in numerous magazines and newspapers, both locally and nationally. In fact, along with neighboring galleries Eye Lounge and Modified Arts, Five15 was included in the "Best Underground Art Scene" by our city's very own "The Arizona Republic." Add this one to your list of galleries to scope out on First Friday.

Gebert Contemporary specializes in painting, sculpture, photography and video by an international group of artists, and hosts a number of revolving exhibitions. The Gebert family first founded a gallery in Santa Fe in 2000, called the Chiaroscuro Gallery. Then they founded their gallery in Scottsdale -- originally also under the name Chiaroscuro. In 2008, the Scottsdale gallery was renamed to Gebert Contemporary. If you're looking to check out a wide range of international works, Gebert Contemporary specializes in contemporary abstract painting and sculpture by mid-career and established artists from Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, Germany, Mexico, Nicaragua, Poland, Spain and the United States. The gallery is open late on Thursday evenings for the downtown Scottsdale Art Walk.