The Monastery AZ

For the last 7 years, Paulo has been one of the hearts behind so many of the stories we’ve told. At our 5 Year Anniversary, Paulo will be sharing part of his own story through live music as @krisantomusic . The same heart, emotion, and honesty he brings into our films lives inside his music too. This night isn’t just about looking back on our story. It’s about reflecting on yours too. A night of storytelling through film, photography, music, conversation, and community. May 21st at the @themonasteryaz . Come experience the stories with us. ❤️

5 years ago, this was just a vision. Now we’re walking through the venue, finalizing the details, and preparing for a room full of stories, connection, creativity, and people willing to show up authentically. Met up with Rachel from @theeventtalk and the team at the @themonasteryaz to put the final touches on everything, and honestly… we’re really excited for what this night is going to become. Not just an event. A collective experience. A reminder that our stories matter more than we think they do. Excited for the conversations, the art, the music, the reflections, and the moments we’ll all create together. May 21st. We’d genuinely love to see you there. ❤️

At our 5 year anniversary at the @themonasteryaz , we’re showcasing the different ways stories can be told. Through @rzswartzphotography photography exhibit, we wanted to highlight that storytelling isn’t just through words or film… it’s found in the stillness too. In landscapes. In light. In quiet moments most people pass by. For Riley, photography has become a way of collecting stories through Arizona landscapes and using them to connect with others in a deeper way. Because sometimes a single frame can make someone feel seen, remembered, inspired, or connected to something bigger than themselves. That’s the beauty of storytelling. There’s more than one way to tell it. 🌵

❗️Something new is taking over The Monastery❗️⁠ ⁠ Matt-a-Magical: The Fantastical World of Matt McGee invites you into an immersive world built by hand, where puppetry, character, and storytelling come to life through the work of @mattamagical Matt McGee.⁠ ⁠ Walk through it. Look closely. Get lost in the details.⁠ ⁠ Opening Reception⁠ June 6 | 4PM–6PM⁠ ⁠ On view May 29 – July 26

The Monastery is proud to present Matt-a-Magical: The Fantastical World of Matt McGee, an immersive exhibition featuring the handcrafted puppetry, character design, and artistic worlds of Matt McGee. Blurring the line between theater, sculpture, and storytelling, this exhibition transforms the gallery into a living environment filled with curious characters, intricate details, and the magic of things made by hand. Whether you are an artist, storyteller, maker, or simply someone who still believes in wonder, this exhibition invites you to step inside a world unlike any other. Matt-a-Magical: The Fantastical World of Matt McGee May 29 – July 26 Opening Reception: June 6 | 4PM–6PM At The Monastery AZ in the arts district of downtown Peoria.

5 years in the making… and now it’s finally coming to life. ❤️ Join us May 21st! Behind the scenes of building out our anniversary experience at @themonasteryaz So grateful to everyone helping bring this vision to life. Thank you to Jenna and @seracollective  for sponsoring the walls and helping us create spaces people can truly experience. Thank you @bespokedesignsandevents for the vinyl for the walls! And thank you to our crew and team @rzswartzphotography @jacobemedia @itscrystalphan @darreelcaldwell @dw_tdhtribe @katiecatedral ! Thanks to all the artists, friends, and community for believing in this vision with us. This night was never meant to just be about us. It’s about all of us. About remembering that our stories are connected. That there’s beauty in the in between. That your story matters too. We can’t wait for you to walk through it, interact with it, reflect on your own journey, and hopefully leave feeling a little more seen, encouraged, and connected. See you May 21st. 🙏🏽❤️

Getting ready for our 5 year anniversary and our pop-up show opening this weekend. 🙏🏽 Huge thanks to Michael over at @themonasteryaz for helping bring this vision to life and somehow making it all look easy. This isn’t just a celebration of 5 years. It’s a full experience. A space to walk through. To interact with. To reflect. To remember your story. And maybe even share it. Every part of this exhibit reflects what we believe about storytelling, connection, and humanity. Interactive spaces built around the way we see story and the hope that people leave encouraged by their own. A reminder that our stories are all connected when we look in the in between. May 21st. ❤️ Live music by our very own @krisantomusic , sharing story through music. A photo gallery by our very own @rzswartzphotography , capturing story through imagery. And premiering the founder story of @alexandercatedral as we look back on the journey, the why behind it all, and the moments in between that shaped everything we’ve become. And a night centered around all forms of storytelling and connection. It’s an honor to have this at The Monastery. We share so much of the same ethos that this honestly feels like a full circle moment for us. Comment “5 YEAR” and we’ll send you the RSVP link. Big thanks to @seracollective for sponsoring the event and these walls by @bespokedesignsandevents !

This is a statement for myself. And for everyone who sees this. I believe in what we do. I believe in what has been placed inside of me. And I believe in the stories inside of all of us. I believe our stories matter. Not just the victories. Not just the endings. But the in between too. The becoming. The wrestling. The transformation. The gift isn’t just for others. It’s for us too. Telling our stories is an act of belief. Belief in what’s been formed inside of us. Belief that what we’ve gone through means something. Belief that vulnerability can become connection. And maybe through sharing our stories… others begin to believe in themselves too. Through my story. Through your story. Through each other’s stories. We remember: we’re not alone. And we’re all in this together. “In The In Between” May 21st • 6:30 PM The Monastery Comment “CONNECT” or DM us for the RSVP link.

Join @jyllethiermullenart this Sunday at 2pm to make shibori tea towels made with natural indigo dye. Great gift for Mother’s Day! Spots are limited. Grab your tickets.

The Monastery AZ welcomes Gungor to Peoria, May 7th @ 7pm ⁠ ⁠ Mystic Hymnal is a Michael Gungor project that is both a community & a resource for communal singing.⁠ ⁠ It seems that these days we are both more connected & less connected than we’ve ever been – this project aims to bring us back together…through singing together.⁠ ⁠ Mystic Hymnal is creating a collection of music that is:⁠ 1) singable⁠ 2) kind⁠ 3) musically beautiful⁠ ⁠ On May 7th join us for a 90 min group singing project meant to unlock our collective voices in order to remind us who we are, together. We use group singing, embodiment, and guided moments of presence to help us experience authentic connection & expression together.⁠ ⁠ If something is stirring within you, learn more by following the Link In Bio 👆🏽⁠ ⁠ RSVP and save your spot today. This event is pay-what-you-can. We want this music to be accessible to everyone, and we never want cost to be a barrier.

Last chance to step into the light 🔆⁠ ⁠ Illuminate: Featuring Lily Reeves is in its final week at The Monastery AZ and this is your last opportunity to experience it.⁠ ⁠ Lily Reeves doesn’t just make objects. She builds environments out of light. Using neon, glass, and energy, her work transforms space into something you feel physically, not just visually.⁠ ⁠ Her installations draw from the landscapes and spiritual energy of the Southwest, blending light, architecture, and the natural world into immersive experiences where perception shifts and time slows. Light, in her work, is not just something you see. It’s something that shapes how you experience a place.⁠ ⁠ This is art you walk into. Art that changes the room. Art that stays with you after you leave.⁠ ⁠ Don’t miss it!⁠ ⁠ Friday & Saturday. 12pm - 8pm ⁠ Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Host your corporate event, planning retreat, or training session in a venue designed to inspire focus and creativity.⁠ ⁠ Your team deserves more than a boring conference room. Our venue offers flexible layouts, creative energy, and all the amenities you need to connect, collaborate, share and spark great ideas!⁠ ⁠ 👉🏽 WiFi, tables and chairs seating, outdoor patio options, and catering-friendly setup.⁠ ⁠ ✉️ Message us to learn more⁠ ⁠ 👀 View our listing on Peerspace