170 http://www.AmericanArtCollector.com
CITY FOCUS Phoenix, Arizona
Art Detour provided both Valley residents
and visitors with a rare opportunity to see
a variety of local, national and interna-
tional talent at no cost.
“Artlink was actually born from artists
in downtown Phoenix,” says Kahler. “Over
the past 30-plus years, Artlink has been an
organization focused on supporting artists
as well as connecting them with the rest of
the community.”
In 1994, a few years after the organiza-
tion was formed, Artlink started promoting
First Fridays. The art walk—held the fi rst
Friday of every month—allows the publicto visit many venues for free, closing the
gap between local visual and performing
artists and the public. As one of the largest
monthly art walks in the country, Phoenix
First Fridays now see anywhere between
14,000 to 20,000 visitors at each event.
A few years later, Artlink introduced
Third Fridays. Although similar to First
Fridays, Third Fridays have provided visi-
tors an even more arts centric experience.
“Of the two Fridays, Third Friday is
defi nitely more arts focused,” says Kahler.
“It’s quickly becoming many people’s
favorite Friday.”Often referred to as “Gallery Night,”
during Third Fridays many arts destina-
tions, businesses and galleries stay open
late for the public. Gallery exhibition
openings are also a common occurrence
during these times. Now, more than ever,
First and Third Fridays are increasingly
accessible to the public, thanks to the
support of the community and tools like
Artlink’s online First Friday and Third
Friday maps, which help visitors plan out
their routes before venturing downtown.
This March, the organization will be
celebrating its 31st annual Art Detour,E
A
T
ROLAND’S CAFE MARKET BAR
Owned by local culinary legend Chris Bianco
and up-and-coming chefs Nadia Holguin and
Armando Hernandez, the restaurant perfectly
pairs regional cuisine inspired by the owners’
unique backgrounds.WELCOME DINER
Southern comfort food and 1950s fl air make this
neon lit diner a Garfi eld neighborhood favorite.
Welcome Diner takes being a good neighbor
seriously by partnering with local purveyors to
source each made-from-scratch dish.BARRIO CAFE GRAN RESERVA
From celebrated chef Silvana Salcido Esparza
comes the sister to popular Barrio Cafe. Gran
Reserva is a more intimate take on the highly
praised restaurant, serving a special selection
of signature dishes.PHOTO BY
LINDSAY MCHENRY