About Us

Artlink Phoenix is one of the oldest, all-volunteer run, 501-C-3 arts organizations in downtown Phoenix. Our mission is to maintain and enhance our current regular events, including the monthly First Fridays art walk, the annual Art Detour self-guided tour that features several open studios and Mystery Galleries in addition to the galleries and businesses that participate in the monthly event, a Juried Exhibition and an art-related fundraiser. Our monthly newsletter can be subscribed to online and keeps readers up-to-date on our efforts, community activities, and opportunities and information for and about artists.

History

Since 1989, we have organized Phoenix’s biggest annual art walk, Art Detour, a two-day, self-guided tour of galleries, studios and businesses in various neighborhoods in and around downtown Phoenix, giving Valley residents and visitors an opportunity to see an array of local, national, and international talent. In 1994, we began the monthly First Fridays art walk, which has grown to become the largest monthly art walk in the United States. With 100 arts venues open free to the public each month, Artlink’s First Fridays has succeeded in bringing people back to downtown Phoenix. The event sees anywhere from 14-20,000 visitors monthly and grows exponentially each year.

First Friday

Join us on the First Friday of every month from 6-10 p.m. for the nation’s largest, self-guided art walk! Tour galleries, venues and art-related spaces to see a variety of artwork and to enjoy the spirit and culture of the city as you mingle with thousands of other residents and visitors. If you’d like to get from place-to-place on one of the free event shuttles, those begin at the First Fridays headquarters at the Phoenix Art Museum, or you can jump on at any of the stops on each route.

Artlink Board of Directors

Nancy Hill
Interim Co-President
Art Detour Chair
Hazel & Violet, Partner
nancy@artlinkphoenix.com

Catrina Kahler
Interim Co-President
Urban Affair, President & Founder
Downtown Phoenix Journal, Publisher
Phoenix Community Alliance, Board Member

Jill Bernstein
Secretary
Keep Arizona Beautiful, Executive Director

Joseph Benesh
Treasurer
Phoenix Center for the Arts, Director
Hance Park Conservancy, Board Member

Mike Oleskow
Past President
Modus Operandi, Principal
Max & Lucy, Principal
mike@artlinkphoenix.com

Robert Diehl
TEDxScottsdale, Licensee/Organizer
Roosevelt Action Association, Board Member
CONDER/dance, Board Member

Laura Dragon
{9} The Gallery, Owner/Curator

Phil Jones
Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture, Past Executive Director
Arizona Citizens for the Arts, Board Member

Hugo Medina
Artist
Calle 16, Co-Founder