Art in the Streets

​I'm excited about a national trend in our cities and towns – street art!
 
Many municipalities, like my hometown, have adopted a fee that's charged to developers, known as a beautification fee.  Its purpose is to make the community visually appealing by providing quality artwork in public spaces. 

​The funds can't be used for anything else. 

It's a great way to celebrate the environment, culture and history of an area.  And it's attracting professional artists that are creating unique and inspiring pieces!
 
I was fortunate to be selected for just such a project. The City of Goodyear awarded 5 artists (from hundreds of applicants) a commission to create art for a traffic signal cabinet at 5 different locations in the city.  The cabinet I was assigned is in a shopping mall – where I shop all the time!

It was a great experience to connect with the owners and managers of the businesses in the mall, to talk about art.  We brainstormed about subject matter, history of the area and style of painting.  I found a lot of support for my florals and the bold colors I typically use.

I worked closely with the Arts & Culture Commission – scheduling the project and presenting my draft concept.  I was inspired by their goal to have artwork that could be seen easily driving by, along with a few "hidden" nuggets that could be appreciated only close-up, by pedestrians.  It was fun to incorporate these elements into my painting.

Having decided on the local cholla cactus flower, and with the commission's enthusiastic approval, I painted on a very large wooden panel.  The painting was professionally photographed, sized for a vinyl wrap, which was permanently applied to the metal cabinet.

​People are genuinely excited to have artwork on the streets of their communities. 

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“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” – Pablo Picasso.  ​​

You can read more about the traffic signal cabinet project in the InFocus City Magazine.