Hal Empie Gallery

Hal Empie Gallery This is an artist born in the Territory of Arizona over 100 years ago! Hal Empie (1909-2002). Visit A self-taught artist, Hal Empie refused to copy photographs.

Hal Empie was born in a dirt-floored, one-room adobe near Safford, Arizona Territory to pioneer settlers, Allie and Hart Empie. As a young man, he worked at the Best Drug Store while attending grammar school. Upon graduation in 1927, he entered the University of Arizona in pre-med and then the Capitol College of Pharmacy, Denver. After passing exams in Colorado and Arizona, Hal was issued a specia

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license to practice pharmacy before the age of twenty-one, making him the youngest licensed pharmacist in Arizona history. In 1929, Hal married Louise Reinhardt and in 1934 they purchased the drugstore in nearby Duncan. Determined to refine his artistic talents, he set up his easel in his pharmacy and painted between filling prescriptions. Here he also began and blended his third career as a cartoonist. His only art lessons were six weeks studying the old master’s techniques with renowned European master, Frederic Taubes. Artistic success began very early in Hal’s career, his work became increasingly respected. National press brought invitationals, including The
Museum of Modern Art, the Polish Embassy, Los Angeles County Museum. Hal was in his twenties when first recognized by the American Federation of Arts, Washington, D.C. As a cartoonist, Hal created the famous Empie Kartoon Kards, one of the earliest western cartoon copyrights. He was a major contributor to early issues of Arizona Highways. Postcards were marketed in thirty-eight states. Original printings are housed in the Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian. After a major Gila River flood in Duncan, the Empies moved to Tubac and built the Hal Empie Studio and Gallery in 1986. Hal and Louise were married seventy-two years, raising three children. Hal painted his entire life. He was an “art for art’s sake artist”. His noted career spanned over three quarters of a century. At his passing, he was the oldest continuous resident artist in Arizona.

Check out the May 2026 ARIZONA HIGHWAYS. Dad was a cartoonist for them in the 1930's. They have recognized him in many...
04/15/2026

Check out the May 2026 ARIZONA HIGHWAYS. Dad was a cartoonist for them in the 1930's. They have recognized him in many, many issues over the years! Always nice for a mention!

ATTRACTIONS

Tubac Presidio State Historic Park and Museum
Among the things to explore at Tubac Presidio are historic buildings, a museum with exhibits covering 2,000 years of history — including Tohono O’odham, Apache, Mexican, Spanish and Territorial — an art gallery, and ruins of the Spanish fort from the mid-1700s. The park and museum are open Tuesdays through Sundays.
1 Burruel Street, Tubac, 520-398-2252, tubacpresidio.org

Hal Empie Studio and Gallery
This Tubac destination celebrates the life of famed Arizona artist Hal Empie, who was born in 1909 and, when he passed in 2002, was the oldest continuous resident artist in Arizona. (He was also the state’s youngest pharmacist.) A gallery features dozens of Empie’s original paintings and sketches, and tours of the artist’s studio are available.
33 Tubac Road, Tubac, 520-398-2811, halempiestudio-gallery.com

This is an artist born in Arizona over one hundred years ago. Hal Empie (1909-2002). Visit his gallery in Tubac today! We'll share the family's Arizona history since 1886.

Just a reminder that the weather here in Tubac is perfect! We're enjoying meeting visitors from everywhere!!! Hope you...
03/07/2026

Just a reminder that the weather here in Tubac is perfect! We're enjoying meeting visitors from everywhere!!! Hope you'll stop by too..........we have our gallery featuring Hal Empie's fine art canvas giclee, and the adjacent show area with his consigned originals......NOTE: ART BY HAL EMPIE WILL HAVE SOLD 100 YEARS IN '29.
33 Tubac Road is the address, and hours are Wed.-Sat. 11 to 4 and Sundays 12 to 3. We welcome 'by appointment' which is a popular option. 520 398-2811

11/04/2025

Meet our guest artist during ART WALK. Meet portrait artist, TRISH BAILEY!

Trish will be in our gallery Sat. Nov. 8, from 1 to 3. Have an original oil painted of that special someone.........such a tribute! 33 Tubac Road 520 398-2811 https://www.halempiestudio-gallery.com/ #!/

This original oil.....by Trish Bailey

09/24/2025

Where has the summer gone? Mark your calendars, we'll open for the season Oct. 1st. This starts the 41st year that the HAL EMPIE GALLERY has been in Tubac, and the 96th year that Hal Empie's art has been selling! We have more new pieces arriving soon. Here's one of my many favorite! "The Boys From Bear Wallow" 30x40 canvas fine art giclee.

07/28/2025

I would love to say I knew Hal Empie, but that would be a bit of a stretch. The best I can do in that regard is to say I

Looking forward to showing you new pieces when we open in the fall! This summer we are open Saturdays 11 to 4. Always ...
07/16/2025

Looking forward to showing you new pieces when we open in the fall! This summer we are open Saturdays 11 to 4. Always call for private showings. 520 237 2460. Check out our website for our large selection of fine art giclee. Popular sizes, easy to ship.
www.halempiestudio-gallery.com

HOW TO PAINT THE DESERT BY HAL EMPIE.Just published! Step-by-step illustrations on everything from adobes to clouds! 34 ...
03/16/2025

HOW TO PAINT THE DESERT BY HAL EMPIE.
Just published! Step-by-step illustrations on everything from adobes to clouds! 34 pages, 13x10 sturdy stock for in studio or outdoor use. Tips for all medium. All in Hal Empie's own hand.
$35.00/$6.00 shipping. www.halempiestudio-gallery. Click on book upper corner for paypal or call 520 398-2811

03/07/2025

This is an artist born in the Territory of Arizona over 100 years ago! Hal Empie (1909-2002). Visit

Address

33 Tubac Road
Tubac, AZ
85646

Opening Hours

11am - 4pm

Telephone

+15203982811

Website

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