First Fridays at Heritage Square

By Rebecca Clark
Special for Metromix

On the nights of the First Fridays art walk, the normally quiet streets of downtown Phoenix are packed with nouveau hippies offering free hugs, Scientology protesters next to Scientology promoters, and street vendors selling everything from aprons to jewelry.

Men and women of all ages, all walks of life and from all over the Valley are drawn in by fire breathers, live bands and, of course, art.

But sometimes, amid the blocks of mayhem near the Roosevelt Row arts and shopping district, the night can seem less about art and more about an "art scene."

That's why Artlink, a non-profit downtown Phoenix arts organization, has partnered with the Rosson House Foundation and Phoenix artist Sean Deckert to bring a calmer, quieter, completely art-focused element to First Fridays in Heritage & Science Park, south of the Roosevelt Row area.

"People who come to downtown only for First Fridays get the wrong idea," said Deckert, who is program coordinator and co-curator of the First Friday expansion to Heritage Square. "On First Fridays, it is like the state fair has come to town. There are people selling ice cream cones and T-shirts, and amidst all of that, there is an artist showing and trying to sell his own work."

That's why vendors and certain kinds of street performers will not be allowed in the intimate historic space near the Arizona Science Center and Pizzeria Bianco. Instead there will be an outdoor gallery showing six to 10 artists each month, and Deckert said that number will increase as the area develops a reputation for art.

The vendors' colorful handbags and trinkets that normally line Garfield Street will be replaced by display units and outdoor art exhibits, including installations, photography and paintings. The sideshow-like street performers will be replaced with hand-picked live bands and DJs.

The free Artlink shuttle will include a stop at Heritage & Science Park. Artlink President Sloane Burwell said it's an ideal addition to First Fridays because the area has cultural relevance and charm and is close to other popular art-walk zones.

"The whole goal in a city is to have exciting things happen in many neighborhoods," Burwell said. "I don't think that anyone wants there to be only one neighborhood where things happen. We want to...drive home the point that downtown is alive."

The restaurants and bars in Heritage Square are excited about the expansion. The Rose and Crown is providing live music on First Fridays, and the owners say they're excited to see the growth.

"We have a lot of ties to the artists involved and think it is great to help support them and their talents any way we can," said Don Phillippi, a co-owner of the Rose and Crown.

Deckert said he hopes that one day the First Friday art will encompass all of downtown.

There's hope for that kind of development. Almost 15 years ago, Phoenix's First Friday consisted of 13 galleries. More than 100 venues participate now.

"Phoenix's First Friday events are known nationwide, and for a reason," Deckert said. "We have a lot of talent here and so much potential to be something even bigger."