The Arts and Culture Party of The Year Returns for Its 11th Year
As the highlight of Art Detour’s month-long celebration, an impactful event in support of a growing Arizona arts scene, the 11th Annual Art d’Core Gala returns on Saturday, March 16th, 2024 at Phoenix Art Museum.
That night, Artlink – the non-profit that developed Downtown Phoenix’s First Fridays and now connecting artists and organizations throughout the Valley and state – will be recognizing four arts leaders at this year’s gala: Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Owner of Bentley Gallery Bentley Calverley, Associate Vice President at Arizona State University Rick Naimark and Honorary Commander Doris Ong.
“Through its dedication to fostering creativity and artistic exchange, Artlink serves as a conduit that connects artists with both businesses and audiences and helps transform our streets into living galleries,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “Artlink’s work not only enriches our cultural landscape
but also reinforces Phoenix’s identity as an arts city. I’m proud to continue supporting their mission and am humbled to be an honoree this year.”
Mayor Gallego has long been a champion of the arts and since taking office has been dubbed as the “Arts Mayor.” She is a rising star in national political circles who speaks fluently to the importance of supporting arts and culture, and recently celebrated the Phoenix voter approved General Obligation (GO) Bond election, which allocated $50 million for arts and culture infrastructure projects.
The theme for the 11th Annual Art d’Core Gala is: P A N O R A M A, celebrating the 360 view that Arizona’s creative community brings to a colorful life. From the stunning visual displays to the exhilarating performances and the culinary delights, guests will be enveloped in the expanse of art in motion and celebrate those who contribute to Arizona’s creativity, community and economy.
“It is indeed an honor to be recognized by Artlink in this 40th anniversary year of Bentley Gallery. It has been a
privilege to be a tiny, tiny part of its growth into such an integral part of the art, city, and business communities,” said Honoree Bentley Calverley, owner of Bentley Gallery, Inc. “It’s not just their total commitment to local artists but their willingness to bang on the doors of businesses to encourage them to support the arts that makes Artlink such a beloved organization.”
When Bentley Calverley moved Bentley Gallery from Scottsdale to its Bentley Projects warehouse space in 2012, the move raised the profile of the Phoenix gallery scene and inspired further investment in the surrounding Phoenix Warehouse District. She has since moved the gallery to the Evans Churchill Neighborhood/Roosevelt Row arts district, reinforcing the art presence that enhances and re-energizes the area’s valued arts history. She is a former Artlink board member, and provided a gala venue for three years, helping strengthen the organization at a critical time.
“I am truly humbled to receive this honor by Artlink. Community and access to the arts is vital because I believe art is transformative and brings joy! And I want to share this with everyone,” said Honorary Commander Doris Ong. “My mentors have always inspired me to take leadership roles that can help make positive change, including at the Phoenix Art Museum, The Phoenix Symphony, as an inductee in the Honorary Commander program at Luke Air Force Base and the 2018 Fighter Country Partnership Civilian Volunteer of The Year 56th Fighter Wing.”
Doris Ong is a photographer and painter and is one of the strongest supporters of the arts community, including her service on the Phoenix Art Museum Board of Trustees and the Phoenix Symphony Board of Directors. Her vision aligns with Artlink’s mission and encourages connection between organizations, artists and the community.
A former City of Phoenix Deputy City Manager, Rick Naimark currently serves as ASU Associate Vice President for Program Development Planning. His community development leadership and expertise help ASU both build and connect with communities. He is a former Artlink Board Chair who significantly supported the organization’s growth, and continues to support several nonprofits including Hance Park Conservancy, The Arizona Jewish Historical Society and many more. A painter, piano player, and a regular attendee of nearly every downtown Phoenix neighborhood and community meeting; he is a true renaissance man.
“As a former Board Chair of Artlink and a Board Member for many years, it has been an absolute pleasure to
build on Artlink’s history and lead its growth and evolution as the premiere network to serve local artists and connect them with one another and the broader community,” said Honoree and Associate Vice President at Arizona State University Rick Naimark. “As a visual artist and musician, Artlink has helped me find new ways to grow my artistic self and use my creative works to benefit other artists and the community as a whole. I am grateful for the opportunity to give back in this way and to be recognized for it.”
All four honorees will be recognized at the 11th Annual Art d’Core Gala, chaired by Chris Camacho, the President and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. who believes a flourishing arts community is also great for Arizona’s economic development.
“Art d’Core brings together and celebrates those who actively, purposefully and powerfully contribute to and participate in Arizona’s creative culture, as spectacularly demonstrated by each of this year’s Honorees,” said Catrina Kahler, Artlink President & CEO. “Their leadership combined with an extremely talented and innovative arts and culture community continues to inspire us all.”
Featured visual and performing artists include members of the Artlink Artist Council paired with collaborators selected via an open call to artists: Kenaim Al-Shatti & Chiung Fang Chang, Laura Spalding Best & Heidi Dauphin, Ruby Farias & Janel Garza, Magda Gluszek & Christine Golden, Liliana Gomez & Leonor Aispuro, Abbey Messmer & Craig Randich, Nicole Lyn Olson & Tara Sharpe, Rembrandt Quiballo & Regan Henley, and Patricia Sannit & Sam Arrow.
Culinary creations will be served by chefs Adam Allison of Handle Bar Diner and Tortoise & Hare, Tom Baumbach of Tom & Lin Catering, Devan Cunningham of CC’s on Central, Micki Hudsen of Kaizen, Stephen Jones of The Larder + The Delta, Brent Kille of Sonoran Pasta Bar, Jeff Kraus of Crepe Bar and Tortoise & Hare, Dom Ruggiero of Hush Public House and Fire at Will, and Gregory Wiener of elements at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain.
Exceptional artistry will also swirl in the glass as Artlink is joining forces with the Arizona Wine Growers Association to present award-winning wines and to announce the winner of this year’s Governor’s Cup.
The suggested Art d’Core attire is for a progressive arts experience where shimmering cocktails meet hip & chic. Tickets start at $150 (with special pricing for Artlink Articipants) and are now on sale and can be purchased here: artlinkphx.org/gala2024.
In addition to the Gala, the Art Detour event schedule offers art patrons, collectors and art lovers a broad range of ways in which to engage with artists and destinations throughout the state, in partnership with Arizona Commission on the Arts, City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture, Valley Metro, Downtown Phoenix Inc., Park Central, Phoenix Art Museum, FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel, SRP, The Phoenix Symphony, Phoenix Suns, Baker Development, Stella Artois, Greater Phoenix Economic Council and more to come.
For more information on Art Detour, please visit artdetour.com. To sign up for updates and for more information about Artlink, please visit artlinkphx.org, or connect via social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.