EVENT TO SHOWCASE DOWNTOWN MURALS

The City of Tucson Economic Initiatives Office will showcase the eight murals painted as part of the City of Tucson Mural Program. The event will be held Tuesday, May 31 at 8 a.m., in the parking lot across the street from Benjamin Supply Co., 440 N. 7th Ave. Speakers include Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, Tucson Arts Brigade Director Michael Schwartz and other participants in the program. 



Eight Tucson artists designed and painted the murals as part of the pilot program to beautify downtown, add visual interest, attract residents and visitors to the area, and reduce tagging. The City contracted with the Tucson Arts Brigade to coordinate the project with the hope that the program also will improve urban aesthetics and ultimately save taxpayers money. 

Artists were selected from 58 applicants who ranged from established painters to first-time muralists. The artists are Ignacio Garcia, To-Ree-Nee Wolf, SummerStudios, Rock Martinez, Isaac Caruso, Jessica Gonzales, Luis Mena, and Niki Glen. Corresponding property owners participating in the program include: Rialto Theatre, 5 North Fifth, LLC, Café 54, Benjamin Supply Co., John Wesley Miller, Wig-O- Rama, Century Link, and the City of Tucson Housing and Community Development department.
 
The project is a result of a $50,000 grant provided by the Tohono O’odham Nation, with an additional $2,000 in funding from Visit Tucson. Graffiti Protective Coatings, Park Tucson, and the Downtown Tucson Partnership provided in-kind services.