Gem & Jam Tucson: Meeting Visionary Artist Alex Grey
February 11th, 2014
Alex Grey has become one of the world's best-known visionary artists. His paintings explore consciousness, anatomy, energy, and humanity's connection to the universe. His work has appeared everywhere from museums to album artwork for the band Tool, and together with his wife, Allyson Grey, he founded the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors (CoSM), a space dedicated to visionary art and creativity.
Growing up, my mom had a couple of books with Alex Grey’s artwork. I remember looking through pages of geometric patterns and anatomy that looked like a mixture of science, spirituality, or something from another dimension. His paintings weren't anything I'd ever seen before. Whether you connect with the spiritual side or just appreciate the art… it will captivate you.
So… when I heard he was going to be at Gem & Jam in Tucson...
I immediately drove to Tucson.
Almost Missed My Chance
By the time I finally arrived, I was saddened to find that the meet-and-greet had already ended. I could see Alex and Allyson still talking to a few people behind a closed off section so I hurried over to a security guard nearby and yapped his head off… telling him all of my life reasons for wanting to meet them.
I told him I'd grown up around Alex Grey's artwork because of my mom. I explained how much it would mean to finally meet him in person and I’m happy to say it worked! The sweet guard listened and entertained my blabbing and unleashed the barrier rope. Shucks, thinking back, I should have grabbed a photo with him too!
Bandit Belanger meets Alex Grey
Finally Meeting Alex Grey
Alex and Allyson Grey couldn't have been kinder.
I spent a few minutes talking with them before asking if we could take a photo together.
Now hold that thought for a sidenote…
I’d met up with a good friend while there but she was pretty much over the event and was endlessly whining about being ready to leave. She’d been there a while and had zero interest in staying any longer to meet Alex Grey who she wasn’t very familiar with.
Until...
...the camera came out.
Somehow, the moment I asked for a picture, she magically materialized and jumped into the photo.
At the time, I'll admit...
I was a little annoyed.
I had yapped my way through security and managed to make this happen all while she was grumbling… then she turns up suddenly with all smiles just in time for the picture.
Looking back now, though, I can't help but chuckle and I'm glad we all ended up in the photo together.
And before leaving, I bought a copy of CoSM Journal: Cosmic Creativity before wandering through Gem & Jam.
Gem & Jam
The festival itself felt like an extension of Alex Grey's artwork.
Visionary artists displayed enormous paintings with sacred geometry, crystal vendors lined the walkways, and fire dancers spun glowing wands while live music drifted throughout the Sonoran desert night.
Gem & Jam has a way of bringing artists, musicians, crystal collectors, performers, and wanderers all into this little part of the desert. I ended up talking with complete strangers about art, music, crystals, life, and goodness knows what else.
That's one of the things I loved most about Gem & Jam.
If You Go
✧ Event: Gem & Jam Festival
✧ Location: Tucson, Arizona
✧ When: Annually in early February (check dates each year before planning your trip).
✧ What to Expect: Live music, visionary art, crystal and mineral vendors, jewelry, workshops, food vendors, costumed performers, and a creative atmosphere.
✧ Tickets: Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended. Day passes and weekend passes are usually available.
