Art Detour 2020 in Phoenix: Here's how to have the most fun at the 5-day arts party

UPDATE:Most Art Detour participating studios and other locations will remain open to visitors, but some events have been canceled due to concerns about the new coronavirus. The Art d'Core Gala, Creative City Symposium, Grand Avenue trolley and studio tours will no longer take place. The exhibition at the gala will remain available for viewing in person and online.

The following information is still subject to change. For the most up-to-date list of events, check Artlink's events calendar. 

Phoenix has a vibrant arts scene, and Art Detour 2020 is your chance to explore new galleries as well as old favorites. It's like an art walk that lasts five days.

From March 19-23, dozens of stores, studios and other arts spaces provide opportunities to participate in crafty workshops, meet local artists and appreciate the breadth of Phoenix’s arts scene.

The annual event is put on by Artlink Inc., the nonprofit behind the monthly First and Third Fridays. New this year, organizers have branded Art Detour as “Phoenix Art Week” to more clearly describe the event.

Art Detour first took participants off the beaten path in Phoenix in 1989. As downtown and its surrounding areas grow, the Valley’s arts scene is more accessible than ever.

Try this Art Detour strategy

Catrina Kahler, Artlink president and CEO, recommends that first-timers plan their explorations like this: Visit Roosevelt Row on Friday, Grand Avenue on Saturday and the Warehouse District on Sunday.

Roosevelt Row is very walkable and offers a mix of longtime institutions, such as Modified Arts, monOrchid and Eye Lounge, as well as newcomers like the Cambria Hotel.

Grand Avenue west of downtown Phoenix is "jam packed" with galleries, studios and newer retail stores, Kahler said. A trolley will be available to transport participants up and down the street.

In the Warehouse District, Kahler recommends the Bentley Gallery — which is hosting a sculpture exhibition — and the Step Gallery on Grant Street, which is exhibiting works by Arizona State University students. The Warehouse District is between Seventh Street and Seventh avenue south of Chase Field.

Options for getting around are not limited to driving. Valley Metro light rail stations are close to many participating locations, and there are GRiD Bike Share docks throughout downtown and surrounding areas. 

For a complete 2020 schedule and other information, head to artlinkphx.org.

10 highlights of Art Detour 2020

1. Opening night: Art d'Core Gala: Opening night will showcase art by members of the Artlink Artist Council who have collaborated with local artists and highlight those who have contributed to Phoenix’s and Arizona’s art scenes. Mayor Kate Gallego will give a toast at 7:30 p.m. There will be dancing and a silent auction, with a portion of proceeds going to Artlink and the Artist Forward Fund. VIP tickets include a preview of the exhibition with the artists, an avant-garde runway show and drinks and snacks.

Details: 5:30 p.m. VIP reception, 6:30 general admission. Thursday, March 19. Park Central, 3121 N. Third Ave., Phoenix. $25-$75. artdetour.com.

2. Paint and sip: Bring your own beer and wine to these hands-on paint-and-sip evenings in uptown Phoenix. Thursday's theme is the '80s and those who dress to the theme will receive a gift. Saturday night's painting will be owl-themed. Save $10 by coming with a friend; one ticket is $35, but two cost $60. Buy tickets at shanelandarts.com.

Details: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 19, and Saturday, March 21. Shaneland Arts, 301 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. $35-$60. 602-607-5400, shanelandarts.com.

3. "What Can I Say?": This exhibit featuring artists Chris Jagmin, Ann Morton and Safwat Saleem debuts with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and runs through April 11. The works explore the artists’ experiences with fear, love and anxiety. From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 21, Modified Arts and the Tempe-based Museum of Walking will host the "What Can I Say?" Silent Tour — a 1-mile walk that encourages participants to reflect on things they have left unsaid. There will be an opportunity to share your thoughts on a gallery wall after.

Details: 6-9 p.m. Friday, March 20; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, March 21-22. Modified Arts, 407 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix. Free. 480-258-3657, modifiedarts.org.

4. Murals of Phoenix: Two events highlight the murals of downtown Phoenix. On Friday, the Backstreet Brush Project celebrates the historic Roosevelt neighborhood with live painting sessions, music and meet-and-greets with artists. On Saturday, Oak Street Alley Fest brings live music, food and mural painting to the Coronado neighborhood.  The Backstreet Brush Project is in the Lynwood/Willetta Alley between Central and Third avenues. Enter via the parking lot at 1433 Third Ave. or through the gate at 1326 N. Central Ave. Oak Street Alley Fest is at 1401 E. Oak St.

Details: Backstreet Brush Project, noon-8 p.m. Friday, March 20. Oak Street Alley Fest, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, March 21. Both events are free.

5. "On Central" fashion and art weekend: The Garment League’s third annual event highlighting Phoenix fashion and art will present collections by local and nationally known designers, artists and trendsetters on the rooftop at Park Central. Buy tickets at Eventbrite. From 2 to 6 p.m., pop-up shops will be open for browsing. Seating for the runway begins at 5 p.m. A VIP event on Friday night offers the chance to mingle with designers.

Details: 6-10 p.m. Saturday, March 21. Rooftop at Park Central, 3110 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. $25-$125. oncentralphoenix.com.

6. Phoenix Trolley Museum: Phoenix’s mini-museum dedicated to the city’s historic streetcars will be open on Saturday. Chances to visit the Trolley Museum are limited  — it's only open on Saturdays from October through May.

Details: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, March 21. Phoenix Trolley Museum, 1117 Grand Ave., Phoenix. Free. 602-254-0307, phxtrolley.org.

7. Mutant Piñata Show: Make your own contribution to an art exhibit by crafting a piñata in the 13th annual Mutant Piñata Show at Weird Garden. All supplies necessary to create the perfect piñata will be available. Creations can be taken home or added to the exhibition, which will remain on show through April’s First Friday on April 3.  

Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, March 21. Weird Garden, 1008 N. 15th Ave., Phoenix. Free. 602-391-4016. facebook.com/weirdgarden.

8. Queer Art Tour Part 2: 11th Monk3y Industries hosts its second annual event featuring LGBTQ vendors and artists. From fashion designs to crafts, works will be on display and for sale in the parking lot, which is turned into a daytime Art Detour party. The party continues inside with an art show.

Details: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, March 21. 11th Monk3y Industries, 1022 Grand Ave., Phoenix. Free. 602-748-5471. facebook.com/11thMonk3y.

9. Macrame workshop: MADE art boutique, which sells jewelry, books and pottery downtown, will host a macrame workshop. Learn how to make basic knots and craft a wall hanging for $25. Just bring a pair of scissors. Those who bring nonperishables to donate to St. Mary’s Food Bank will receive $5 off the price of admission.

Details: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, March 21. MADE art boutique, 922 N. Fifth St., Phoenix. $20-$25. 602-256-6233, madephx.com.

10. Closing night: Art Detour officially closes Monday night with the Creative City Symposium at Artlink's Park Central headquarters. Artists, business and community members will gather to celebrate the arts.

Details: 5-8 p.m. Monday, March 23. Park Central, 3121 N. Third Ave., Phoenix. Price TBA. artlinkphx.org.

Reach the reporter at kimi.robinson@gannett.com or at 602-444-4968. Follow her on Twitter @kimirobin.

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