Dr. Sara Cochran
Last November, Artlink, Inc. launched a “Collectors Tour,” its first new initiative since its support of Third Friday gallery night.
The goal of the Collectors Tour program is to bring established and emerging collectors into downtown Phoenix galleries and nurture opportunities for artists and galleries to connect with new buyers. The tours promote the range and quality of work being created and shown in downtown, and help define Phoenix as a vibrant arts market.
The next Collectors Tour is on Saturday, September 21 from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. This is the first of two special editions, as the featured galleries were selected from more than a dozen entries by Dr. Sara Cochran, curator of modern and contemporary art for the Phoenix Art Museum and Gabriela Muñoz, her curatorial assistant.
Tour participants will gain intimate access to the galleries and have a chance to talk with the artists and curators one-on-one.
Dr. Cochran said, “I’m always happy to see the energy and diversity of the downtown scene. It’s always good to see new work by artists I know and to see new work by artists I have not yet met.”
On Saturday, September 21, the Artlink Collectors Tour will feature Gabriela Muñoz as the host and guide and will include visits to:
- monOrchid Gallery – 78 Years in the Fast Lane, a retrospective of work by painter Fred Tiekken and Fata Morgana, photographs by Sean Deckert focused on the intersection of urban landscape and human development.
- Five15 Arts – Generation CSA, a “fabricated plants” installation by Mary Shindell exploring the contemporary affinity people have with gardening and the unforgiving forces of nature.
- Frontal Lobe Gallery – Sex: A Woman’s Perspective, a group show of established local artists
Gabriela Muñoz
In commenting on her participation in the selection process for the September tour, Muñoz said, “The most enjoyable part of the selection process…was getting to see the wonderful diversity of events and exhibitions planned by the different art spaces downtown in the coming months. I had known of the commitment of our artistic community in exhibiting in downtown Phoenix, but I was reminded of the quality and serious engagement of our local artists. This process was also a moment to reflect on all the hard work that so many professionals undertake every month, in the running of art galleries and creative spaces around town.”
As encouragement to everyone to participate, Munoz concluded, “The arts community is only as strong as we choose to make it with our engagement—so please come on in, the water is warm.”
What: Artlink Collectors Tour – September
When: Saturday, September 21, 1:00-4:00 pm
Where: Tour departs from the Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Avenue
Cost: $35 per ticket; or two for $60, includes transportation to the galleries, refreshments, and an expert guide.
Click Here To Buy Tickets for September
About Artlink Artlink, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to linking artists, business and the public to better understand, appreciate and support a thriving arts community in downtown Phoenix. Artlink supports a variety of community-based art events happening throughout the year and also operates the A.E. England Gallery, which is committed to showcasing the talents of new and emerging local artists. Ongoing community projects include, support of the First Fridays Art Walk, the country’s largest self-guided gallery tour; Artlink Collectors Tours, specially selected guided gallery tours; an annual Juried Exhibition; and the annual Art Detour self-guided tour, featuring open studios, pop-up galleries, family-friendly art experiences and more. Artlink’s year-round activities are supported by Phoenix Art Museum, Dunn Transportation, Snell & Wilmer, Arizona Commission on the Arts, Phoenix Community Alliance, The Torosian Foundation, Downtown Voices Coalition, Grand Avenue Merchants Association, Roosevelt Row CDC, Phoenix Center for the Arts, 6th Avenue Gallery, Urban Affair (owner of DPJ) and Invexi Web Development. For more information, visit artlinkphoenix.com.
Photos courtesy of Phoenix Art Museum
