First Fridays
Call for Artists | Inspired Soles Stiletto Shoe Auction
Posted on 3/11/13 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
Mother Destroyer by Eric James from Phoenix Tattoo Company.
DPJ’s Wire series delivers news and information straight from the source without translation.
Second Inspired Soles, A stiletto shoe auction to benefit Artlink Phoenix
Back by popular demand among patrons and local artists – it’s the Second Inspired Soles stiletto art show and auction to benefit Artlink. If you’re one of the artists/designers who participated in this show last year, we hope you’ll do it again. If you’re new to this event, just know this was a blockbuster success that generated widespread news coverage and traffic at our gallery’s official grand opening. Artists loved it because it was a packed house, and they made some great new connections with clients.
It’s easy and fun to participate! Just like last year, we’ll provide the stilettos. You provide the inspiration!
What: Inspired Soles – a stiletto art show and auction to benefit Artlink. Throughout the month of April the gallery will showcase stilettos created by local artists, designers and celebrities!
Who: Custom-decorated stilettos are being procured from local designers, artists and celebrities. The show is being produced and promoted by BJC Public Relations and Torres Marquez Communications, two women-owned public relations agencies that really know how to draw a great First Friday crowd. They also share office space in the two levels located above the 6th Avenue Gallery.
- Desert Flower by Colleen-Steinberg.
When: The stilettos will be unveiled and auctioned on April 5, during First Friday in Downtown Phoenix. The stilettos will remain on display throughout the month of April. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Artlink Phoenix, a nonprofit organization dedicated to linking artists, business and the public to better understand, appreciate and promote the thriving arts community in Central Phoenix.
Where: The 6th Avenue Gallery is located on the southwest corner of Sixth Avenue and McKinley, one block south of Roosevelt. The gallery is in the basement level of the building.
A GUIDE FOR PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
Here is a step-by-step guide for your participation in the stiletto art show:
____ Order your stiletto shoe by calling BJC Public Relations at (602) 277-9530, x232. If your design requires more than one stiletto, please let us know how many, and we’ll do our best to provide what you need.
____ BJC Public Relations will deliver the shoe to you.
____ Design your stiletto. Enough said!
____ Complete the “Art and Artist Information Form” (ask BJC Public Relations to forward one to you)
____ Return your stiletto and the “Art and Artist Information Form” to:
BJC Public Relations
650 N. 6th Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85003
(602) 277-9530, x232
____ TIP #1: if you ship via FedEx – select the 3-day option – it’s cheaper and often arrives in a day
____ Email or call BJC Public Relations with the TRACKING number of your shipment. Our email is: info@bjc.com
____ Stiletto submissions are due Friday, March 29.
____ TIP #2 (EARLY BIRDS GET THE WORM). If you would like your stiletto art featured in our publicity efforts, we need to have your submission in our hands by March 15. So do yourself a favor, and create your work of art the minute you get inspiration. And be sure to get some home videos of YOU creating your work of art that we can share on our Facebook page.
Images provided by BJC Public Relations.
The Business of a Strong Creative Community
Posted on 3/01/13 by Rhonda Bannard » No Comments
Last Saturday, Artlink’s Silver Gala brought together Detour supporters past and present in honor of Art Detour 25, March 2 and 3, Inspired Connections’ Chief Connector Rhonda Bannard remarks on the evolution of the arts in downtown Phoenix reminds us of this community’s strength and encourages further connection with business leaders to propel us to the next level of success.
In 1993, I jumped into the position of downtown [Phoenix Partnership's] marketing manager. My first assignment was to help the Suns and the city prepare for the NBA playoffs and a parade of what turned out to be 350,000 people downtown on a 115 degree day. It was quickly apparent that supporting the arts & cultural community was critically important to the revitalization efforts that were beginning to take shape.
My boss at the time – Margaret Mullen – was at the forefront of negotiating deals for artists in the Jackson Street studios. It may not be a happy memory for many artists, as the studios needed to be relocated for the Arena to be built. She shared with me that it was Mayor Terry Goddard who said we needed to figure out how the business community could keep the artists downtown and not have them scatter across the Valley. Consider how that set us up for where you are today.
Margaret said that it is often the artists who had the guts to go in early and see the revitalization opportunities waiting to happen.
The Icehouse on Jackson Street, one of the last remaining art spaces in the Warehouse District
I remember meeting artists Sevak Khalsa, Greg West, and Otto Rigan in the early years and how Jackson Street was one of the top places to visit on Art Detour. I remember hearing Beatrice Moore’s name often.
And I remember being told to help out Art Detour however the Downtown Phoenix Partnership could.
From arts to theater to the tiny Arizona Science Center with the Swensen’s Ice Cream shop next to it – those early days for arts and culture were not easy.
Tonight we celebrate the early pioneers who paved the way for the possibilities of today.
The first gallery owners, the early downtown artists, and those passionate volunteers with Artlink – many still active in the community today – all made it possible for tonight’s celebration.
I don’t have to tell you that it’s been a challenging road. And sometimes you can still hear the same challenges and complaints leveled in the effort to sell the value of the arts to a vibrant city center.
Yet I would submit you’ve proven the potential – whether it’s seen in the “must do” First Fridays, or the burgeoning Third Fridays and more intimate arts meet ups.
The business community and city are starting to speak your language. They just come at it from a different lens. They realize that they are competing for workforce talent – and the one common denominator of talent is to look to the creative.
Art Detour at monOrchid
So looking at 25 years and beyond for Artlink and the downtown arts community – what’s next?
1,500 chief executives noted “creativity” as the most important leadership skills needed for successful ventures in the future – according to an IBM’s survey through its Institute for Business Value. The findings noted that they understand the power of an innovative individual and the creative thinking and collaborative mentality they bring with them.
They’re even beginning to advocate for it in schools.
Well, as we know, Arizona is usually behind such trends, so here are some ideas that could help us move forward:
- Showcase the competitive edge businesses can realize with their workforce and within the community to attract talent by supporting the arts. This will not be easy given the realization that many business are still hanging on until the economy turns more upright.
- Refine your messaging.
- Remember to speak their language when you’re telling your story.
- Stop speaking to the choir and let your voice be heard outside of your community.
- See yourself as a bridge to connect the community. Help the business community see you as the creative tool in their toolbox.
The intrinsic benefits of arts are many – they sooth, provoke, connect us, connect cultures. It’s essential to the health and vitality of our community – it makes new business possible, tourism probable, attracts skilled and educated workers – especially if we begin to consider and harness the growing power of the younger generations. Let them know they can tap your talents when pitching for business.
- Go to them until they starting coming to you.
- Support business leaders who “get it” and help them become your ambassadors.
Business scholars are already recognizing that creativity is at the leading edge of innovation.
Chaos Theory 13 at Legend City Studios, 2012.
In Massachusetts a “creative economy director” is part of their statewide economic development strategy.
In D.C. a mayor’s summit is held on the creative economy to connect arts to community and help local businesses.
In one MBA program ranked first in entrepreneurship, students are required to take art classes. Same with those in another college’s engineering program. They believe that creativity allows for quantum leaps in knowledge.
Americans for the Arts said, “When we reduce support for the arts, we are not cutting frills. Rather we’re undercutting an industry that is a cornerstone of tourism, economic development and the revitalization of many downtowns. When we INCREASE support for the arts, we are generating tax revenues, jobs and a creativity-based economy.”
Great points, great message. One that now requires us to translate it to those who need to hear it.
Map | First Friday Art Walk and Expanded Trolley Tour
Posted on 2/01/13 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
The Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission is partnering with Artlink Inc. to provide expanded service during tonight’s First Friday Trolley Tour. This “pilot” route will take attendees to the Gallery @ City Hall and other galleries in the downtown Phoenix area (read the details in the press release below).
Artlink is distributing a new map that includes the new trolley route and the destinations that contribute to the First Friday visitor experience. Click the image below to enlarge or download it here. (The map is produced by DPJ)
Phoenix Art Museum hosts the trolley hub, where free parking is also available. There is no charge to ride the trolleys, which are underwritten by sponsors and donations from the community.
FIRST FRIDAY TROLLEY ROUTE EXPANDS TO THE GALLERY @ CITY HALL
A new pilot trolley route to downtown Phoenix will bring First Friday attendees to the Gallery @ City Hall, 200 W. Washington St., as well as three other city center arts sites from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1.
The Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission in partnership with Artlink Inc., an all-volunteer arts organization, will provide a new trolley route for First Friday from the Phoenix Art Museum at Central Avenue and McDowell Road, which will include the city of Phoenix Gallery @ City Hall, Release the Fear Gallery, the Arizona Latino Arts & Cultural Center (ALAC), @Central Gallery at the Burton Barr Library and a stop at Roosevelt Row.
The Gallery @ City Hall exhibit, in the Phoenix City Hall atrium, “Phoenix Icons: The Art of Our Historic Landmarks,” features photographs of more than 30 historic Phoenix landmarks by Patrick Madigan and Michael Lundgren. They include photos of once private homes that have been transformed into public venues and once revered schools reborn as new places to learn. An old department store now houses a restaurant and a former auto showroom re-emerges as the face of a vibrant downtown park. Visit phoenix.gov/arts for more information.
The Release the Fear Gallery, Grace Chapel at the historic First Baptist Church, 302 W. Monroe St., displays group paintings created by 20 to 30 youth as part of ongoing workshops. Visit releasethefear.org for more information.
ALAC, 147 E. Adams St., an advocate for Latino artists statewide, showcases Latino artists and builds networks with arts organizations, advocates and activists. This Friday, they will offer a blessing ceremony by a Navajo medicine man, accompanied by Navajo drums and songs. Also a live demonstration of edible Sonoran desert plants that can be harvested for medicinal purposes will be presented. Visit alacaz.org for more information.
@Central Gallery at Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 N. Central Ave., will hold an artist reception for T.M. Noël and a viewing of his “Everyone Could Use a Hero” exhibition. Hero images include Martin Luther King Jr., Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix and Malcolm X in charcoal, graphite and oil paint. Also a “Beneath the Ice: The Folk Art of Robert A. Schwartz” exhibit with more than 60 hand-crafted wooden decoys will be displayed on the second floor and a Poetry Night hosted by Divine will be offered in the Pulliam Auditorium. The library activities will conclude at 8 p.m. Visit phoenixpubliclibrary.org for more information.
Each of the locations is open to the public at no charge. The new route will enhance the monthly Artlink First Friday trolley service by providing access to an increased number of downtown Phoenix art venues. For more information about First Friday trolley routes, visit www.artlinkphoenix.com.
Photography Show Opens at Obliq Gallery
Posted on 1/03/13 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
The new Obliq Gallery, a contemporary urban “pop up” gallery at the Arizona Center in downtown Phoenix will have a Opening Artists Reception Friday, January 4. The recently opened gallery will show four local photographers: Lou Oates, Michael Yeager, Matthew DeYoung and Dusty Parsons.
The exhibition, entitled “Successive Moments of Now” captures moments of time and places in Arizona and beyond. The artists will be on hand to discuss their work and answer your questions.
Wine, light hors d’oeurves and music will be provided. Parking is available in the Arizona Center parking garage, and can be validated for up to two hours.
If you go
Event: “Successive Moments of Now” Opening Reception
Date: Friday, January 4
Time: 6:30 to 10 p.m.
Location: Obliq Gallery, Arizona Center, 400 E. Van Buren, Suite 1175
How Cute
Posted on 11/28/12 by Jen Urso » No Comments
“There are artists in Las Vegas?” was the first thing I thought, without having a moment to realize how presumptuous I was being, as we turned the corner from Las Vegas Boulevard onto Charleston. My next thought was “Is that how people think of Phoenix?”
Up to this point, the most interesting sort-of cultural thing I knew and liked about Las Vegas was the Pinball Hall of Fame. I had spent many hours there and suffered the sore forearm muscles because of it. But here we were—driving through what looked like an area of galleries, studios and art spaces where just steps before were advertisements for nudes, weddings and, well, everything else.
The Pinball Hall of Fame
I wondered how, in a world “slush bars”, miles of lukewarm buffet food, rampant gambling, and signs with instructions on how to operate a door, could there be a committed arts community? Regardless of all my prejudices, amidst all of this, it exists: a healthy and now corporate-sponsored First Friday event filling spaces and drawing crowds with future plans to bring in artists from outside the region. Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh believes in it so much that he and a few others purchased the trademark for the event. Even still, I thought “how cute”.
Instructions on how to operate a door in Las Vegas, NV
Maybe this is how my artist friends in New York think when I tell them that no, really, there is this great artist community in Phoenix. We take care of each other and have purchased property, put on regular events, organized and raised money and draw crowds of thousands every month. Really, I swear, we’ve done all this. Maybe, while they smile their supportive smiles, in their minds they are patting me on the head and thinking “how cute”.
Maybe that is the same thing people in cities like Paris and London thought when artists in New York said “No, really, we have this great thing going on over here. The rent is cheap and we can put up a show anywhere we want.” Or maybe it’s what artists in New York later thought about how Los Angeles was developing a little bit of an art crush in a surfer town that would never be taken seriously.
Maybe the reality is the one I always tend to believe in: art and artists happen pretty much everywhere. Good art and artists can be found within that everywhere. It shouldn’t be a new idea that we can find all kinds of amazing artists living and working in obscure places. It’s not about the name of the city and its reputation. It’s about the work you do. So, when someone asks “There are artists in Phoenix?” you don’t have to answer them. You can just show them.
