Friendly faces from Art Detour 26

And how was your Art Detour experience of March 8-9, 2014? Art Detour is, after all, the reigning art walk experience in central Phoenix, running for a whole weekend each spring and usually occurring in our best Chamber of Commerce weather. Art Detour 26 encompassed about six dozen galleries, art spaces and artist studios in an event organized by Artlink Phoenix. Over the years, the wide-ranging art walk has had a knack for attracting Phoenix residents and tourists who might not normally venture into art districts like Roosevelt Row, Grand Avenue and Calle 16. And so it seemed this year, too, from the diversity of event-goers that I could see.

I knew I didn’t stand a chance of reviewing very many of the shows, so I concentrated on getting photographs of artists in their element, standing alongside their work. The artists were gracious, friendly and happy to shed light on their work. Grand Avenue seemed especially lively for a Sunday afternoon.

There are several galleries I regretted not having time for, including the new ASU Grant St. Studios, Arizona Center’s Obliq Art, the new 720 Gallery, The Icehouse, 1Spot, The Hive and the Olney Gallery at Trinity Cathedral. Please do click onto their websites and see the rich variety of art that they offer. And like me, you should plan a visit in the near future.

For several excellent recaps of Art Detour 26 shows, read The Downtown Devil here.

Recently arrived from Chicago, Salim Hurtado works in a number of mediums, including chalk on paper. His studio is on Grand Avenue.

Lisa Albinger’s paintings are full of surreal animal-human mashups. She is part of a group show at R. Pela Contemporary at 335 W. McDowell Road.

Jay Davis is a filmmaker and video artist, who has work on view at greenHAUS on Roosevelt Row.

Jake, who preferred not to be fully identified, points to his work on the lot for Bragg’s Pie Factory.

Artist Jake Stanhouse came down from Flagstaff to participate in the open studio at Gallery La Melgosa.

Local artist Ishmael Dueñas was one of several artists greeting the crowds on Grand Avenue.

Douglas Miles, the creator of Apache X skateboards and their signature artwork, talks to the crowd at monOrchid on Roosevelt Row.

Denise Fleisch shows her abstract works at Lotus Contemporary on Roosevelt Row.

Bill Dambrova creates his paintings at Goat Heart Studio on Grand Avenue.

Anne Howey-Falvey at 515 Arts, where she is showing her animal-themed works of graphite on wood panel.

Anel Arriola painted this view of present-day Phoenix as part of the Phoenix Phabulous Experience traveling mural project.