Successes in 2012 point to an exciting year ahead, and we are extremely grateful for your ongoing participation and support. As an entirely volunteer-run organization, we count on the volunteers, donors, and champions who step up to help us serve Downtown Phoenix artists through our signature programs that link artists to the public.
Over this last year, we’ve grown and strengthened our board of directors; engaged the arts community in planning for our future; built a new and improved website; and improved and updated the First Fridays Art Walk map every month.
Art Detour 24 broke new ground with more than seventy participants; a new and improved section on our website; a pop-up gallery and free parking at the Arizona Center; the popular Public Hanging exhibition, and guided tours by bus and bike.
Our First Friday tour shuttles now include knowledgeable hosts to help orient visitors to the Roosevelt Row and Grand Avenue arts districts, as well as provide them more in-depth information about the artists and openings being featured each month. Throughout the year, the shuttles transported more than 6500 people from home base at the Phoenix Art Museum to galleries and studios throughout downtown. Many of the people on the shuttles were experiencing the event for the first time.
In an effort to shine a brighter light on outstanding Phoenix artists, Artlink inaugurated our Third Friday Collectors Tour series. This specialized tour is a ticketed event, which gives participants a behind-the-scenes opportunity to visit art spaces and meet one-on-one with exhibiting artists to learn more about the techniques and inspiration behind their work.
On our first tour, 20 art lovers visited Modified Arts, Michael Marlowe’s studio on Jackson Street, and the Willo North Gallery exhibition Fauna/Fauna featuring artists Christy Puetz and Carolyn Lavender. Our next Third Friday Collector’s Tour is scheduled for Friday, January 18. Local bon vivant Robrt Pela (New Times writer, KJZZ theater critic, and Willo North Gallery curator) will be our knowledgeable and charming host. Tickets are limited, so get yours today.
In early December, Artlink participated in the first ever Phoenix Festival of the Arts, where we provided an artist lounge for the more than 80 artists who worked to create the city’s largest mural. It was an extraordinary opportunity for artists from every walk of life to meet and collaborate with each other and the public on a project that will live on in the PHX Renews temporary public space at Indian School and Central.
As we look forward to 2013, we are thrilled to be celebrating our 25th Art Detour on March 2 and 3. There are lots of exciting details we’ll be unveiling in the New Year, along with information on what’s to come with our Third Friday Collector’s Tours.
Each improvement we make in Artlink programs requires funding. Please become an Artlink supporter by donating at your comfort level to help us continue to serve Downtown Phoenix artists and to grow our programs that provide public access to the diversity of talent in our city.
Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the New Year!
Sincerely,
The Artlink Board of Directors
Catrina Kahler, Bob Diehl, Hugo Medina, Joseph Benesh, Jill Bernstein, Mike Oleskow, Nancy Hill, Phil Jones & Laura Dragon
