Artlink Inc., the nonprofit credited for developing Downtown Phoenix’s First Fridays and the driving force behind the upcoming Art Detour in March has recruited a longtime leader in the world of style and design as its new chairman.

Oscar De las salas took over as chair of the Artlink board of directors this month. For almost three decades he has designed and directed projects as an architect and interior designer.

He assumes the chairman’s role during a dynamic period for Artlink, which is celebrating its 36th year with a month-long series of events called Art Detour, which will take place March 1–31. Art Detour will bring the arts to the public through a series of excursions exploring Arizona’s visual, performing, and culinary arts, as well as fashion design, public art, and more.

Artlink will be promoting hundreds of artistic and creative experiences produced by the state’s arts community with the help of partners such as the 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, Greater Phoenix Economic Council and more to come.

“I have devoted my life to the arts, and I can think of no better mission than to guide the great work being done by Artlink to bring the arts to as many people as possible,” De las salas shared in a press release. “In a state that is continuously growing, the arts shape our future, reinforce our cultural DNA and create legacy. In 2022, the Arizona arts and culture nonprofit sector alone generated over $1.1 billion, an undeniable economic engine we should all invest in.”

The election to the chairman position follows the term of Chairwoman Brittany Butler, who served on the Artlink Board of Directors for more than five years and is taking a new role of managing special projects for the organization, including the development of new art spaces at Park Central in midtown Phoenix.

“I have enjoyed serving Artlink’s mission of fostering connections between artists, organizations, businesses and the public at a pivotal time of growth in Arizona, and I look forward to contributing from my new position within the organization,” Butler stated.

The board composed of business and arts leaders and professional artists, including Steve Lindley, Rembrandt Quiballo, Dorina Bustamante, R.J. Price, Stephen Jones, Jason Rose, Emilie Dietrich, Alan Eder and Patricia Sannit.

Artlink invites Arizona artists, venues, businesses and organizations to register as an Articipant to be a part of Art Detour and receive discounts tickets for the Art d’Core Gala.

Visit artdetour.com for more information on Art Detour.

Visit artlinkphx.org for more information about Artlink, which is located at 3121 N. 3rd Ave., Suite 110, in Phoenix.