Friday night at a newly relocated Hoodlums Music and Movies, eight Tempe artists were recognized for original representations of “their” Tempe, through limited-edition silk-screened prints at the “We Live Here” art show.

The selected artists were asked to design an image for the special night using just two colors and a lot of imagination. The result was eight original prints, which symbolized the artists’ ideas of what Tempe meant to them.

When Beth Tom created a flyer inviting artists to take part in the event, the request read, “A joyous display of limited-edition silk-screened prints and homegrown beats made of the people, by the people, and for the people of Tempe”.

Members of the community admired the prints and met the artists, while local musicians played an assortment of instruments and songs for the attendees. The viewers enjoyed a relaxed environment inside Hoodlum’s friendly walls and admired the artists’ works on sale for a mere $25 to $35.

Tom, a 41-year-old Tempe native played the banjo, mandolin, violin and accordion along side 47-year-old Joe Myer on an acoustic guitar on the Hoodlums stage. All they needed were two chairs and a microphone.

Tom played many roles throughout the evening, but her most important role was curator of the event. Though she assisted in playing music, she invited the artists together to create the silk-screened-prints. Tom also contributed to the art show when her own silk-screen design hung on the wall next to those of her friends.

Steve Wiley, one of the owners of Hoodlums, ran into Tom when she was a customer of the store. When Wiley realized Tom’s multiple talents he asked her to curate a show for his venue.

Wiley was excited for “We Live Here” because it brought the community together for a night of music and art. The storeowner said that it is important to “continue to get involved because record stores have to continue to branch out.”

The artists were asked to draw out their ideas for the prints, and the designs were handed over to Mic Cause, owner of Think! Screenprint. Cause then transformed the artist’s drawings to the silk-screened prints that were featured in the show Friday night.

Among the contributors to the event was 27-year-old ASU alumna Erika Jaynes. The artist, who graduated from ASU in 2004 with a triple major in ceramics, drawing and sculpture, completed a silk screen to be put on display for the evening.

Eric Iwerson, another artist who contributed, designed his silk-screen around a familiar ASU landmark. His simple print was made up of a cartoon-style skyline showing a plane flying overhead, and his version of the easily recognizable ‘A’ Mountain.

Next in the “We Live Here” lineup was 43-year-old Tempe native and artist Case Beer whose silk-screen print also adorned the wall. The fellow ASU alumna and former State Press reporter described the night as a “local feel thing.”

“This is what we do, this is who we are,” she said.

Reach the reporter at kelsey.groetken@asu.edu.