The Land The People 500 Years Later

 Dateline: 1991-1992 

 “The Land The People 500 Years Later” was a 1992 postal art exhibit, open to artists worldwide. The exhibit offered an alternative narrative to the official ongoing Quincentennial celebrations. 

I had no idea what to expect when the call was issued. I typed up  a press release, made copies and  mailed them off to colleagues and various publications. 

Sending things in the mail is an act of faith of course. Artist friends and I used to send off things to one another, a shoe, a banana, toast. Anything that we could put a stamp on - write the address in ink see what happened. The wild part is almost everything made it through - even the toast - albeit in a special postal bag.

For this exhibit I was delighted to receive works from dozens of artists around the world. Going to the mailbox was an adventure. Magazines, posters, stickers, original works of art and slides arrived as the deadline approached. The work was organized on poster boards then exhibited throughout 1992. Local cafes, art spaces and businesses lent their window spaces for temporary exhibits. Friends and I reproduced and distributed works in "zine" form and mailed out to all the project participants. 

The slide show component of the exhibit was shown during local events throughout 1992 and 1993. The show was shared by myself, and colleagues in a number of cites. We distributed materials via the postal service. Each image neatly organized into slide pages with notes. The show would be exhibited then passed onto the next person on the list. Somewhere along the way it vanished. 

Documenting this body of work has been interesting. I found an old slide projector, cleaned it up and took digital images of slides. (They didn’t turn out as nicely as hoped so I'm looking for new options.) Once I can find them, the slides themselves are in fairly good shape, a few of the cardboard frames needed repair. The first half of my career was documented in slides, newsprint and photographs. Transferring all of these materials to a digital format is an extended process. My plan is for all of my archives to eventually become part of various larger collections. 

Images include a mix of drawings, paintings, collage and text art by; Ernest Victor, Rabascall, Rogelio Lopez Cuenca, Roberto Bedoya, Karen Atkinson, Michael B Schwartz, Guillermo Deisler, Huna and Bruno Capatti and others. 

The Land The People 500 Years Later
Bibliographic Materials

Brin-Ingber, Judith
Letter with bibliography for the study of Latin American Jewry
June 1991

Delaney, Paul
Amid Columbus Festivals, Spain in Planning to Recall the Jews in its Past
New York Times April 11, 1992

Edict of Ferdinand and Isabella, King and Queen of Spain
Grenada, Spain March 30 1492, Promulgated April 29 1492

Elliot, Jan
Exhibiting Ideology
A Review of First Encounters: Spanish Explorations in the Caribbean and the United States, 1492-1570

Goodman, Fredrick 
The Other 1492
pp 9-13
Midstream, January, 1992, Vol 38, No. 1

Krupnick, Samson
Long Before 1492, Jews persecuted
National Jewish Post and Opinion
Volume 58, number 22, February 19, 1992, page 11.

Landers, Peggy, Knight-Ridder Newspapers
Disasters pf 1492 draw Jews and Hispanics together
Arizona Daily Star, Sun October 6, 1991

Lerkin-Elkin, Judith
Colonial Legacy of Anti-Semitism
Report on the Americas, Volume 25, Number 4, February 1992, pp 4-7

Millet, Perry
Science Museum exhibit explores Spanish voyages
Pioneer Press 
May 20, 1992

Montalbano, William D. Los Angeles Times
King decries Jews’ expulsion from Spain
St Paul Pioneer Press, Wednesday April 1, 1992, pg 4-A

Pfeifer, Pat
Indians decry Columbus Exhibit
Star Tribune Sat. May 30, 1992

Porter, Louis
Bellecourt throws blood on Columbus ship replica
St Paul Pioneer Press, P A-1, A-9
Sat May 30, 1992

Prince, Pat
A Columbus counterpoint
Star Tribune

Raphael, Chaim
Sephard ’92
Commentary Magazine, 
Vol. 93 Number 3, March 1992

Raphael, Dr. David
Something is wrong with the plans for Sepharad 91 celebrations
American Jewish World, 
Minneapolis, May 24, 1991 p.5

Rosenthal, Dr. Miriam Freund
The expulsion from Spain was a watershed moment in Jewish history
American Jewish World, 
Minneapolis, January 21, 1992 p.5

Rosenthal, Dr. Miriam Freund
Roots of expulsion go back more than 500 years
American Jewish World, 
Minneapolis, January 24, 1992

Silva Tana
UF Indian exhibit damaged in Minn.
The Gainsville Sun
Tues June 2, 1992

St Paul Pioneer Press Editorials
Don’t cancel exhibit about Columbus
St Paul Pioneer Press
Tues June 2, 1992

Star Tribune Editorial
True interaction at the Science Museum
Tues May 26, 1992
Star Tribune, P. 14 A

Soucheray, Joe
Why let Bellecourt vandalize exhibit?
St Paul Pioneer Press
Wed June 3, 1992

Walsh, James
Museum Won’t press charges over blood on Columbus exhibit
Star Tribune
Thurs June 4, 1992

Whitman Pearl
Letter From Madrid
pp14-16
Midstream, January, 1992, Vol 38, No. 1

###

Archiving the Pre Digital Alternative Press

 I’ve always loved small press zines. Mailing parties, bulk mail permits, getting everything off to the printer on time. The smell of freshly printed newsprint strapped together neatly in bundles.

As technology developed the job was made much easier, but we lost that hands on look, the opportunity to work face to face in the same room for hours. The art of hand making a magazine, the collaborations between editors, writers, artists and audience is dynamic and exciting.

(1979-1985) The Delaware Alternative Press was my introduction to the world of alternative publications. This collective put everything together by hand, typewritten, cut and pasted. The office was cozy and professional. Picking up the freshly printed offset web press, driving them back and having a distribution party was all the reward we wanted. DAP articles were well written, edited and facts checked.

 

 

(1980-1994) Cultural Democracy Magazine
The Alliance for Cultural Democracy (ACD) recently reconvened on-line to organize archives of the organization. ACD was an important organization, a vast national network of artists and cultural workers dedicated to cultural democracy and equity. 

(1989-90) The Campus Slant  had two issues printed on newsprint. It was the newspaper of the Students for Creative Action Now (SCAN). We were a phenomenon of sorts, a student activist group famous for challenging The University of Arizona  to stop the Mt. Graham telescope monuments to Columbus on Sacred Apache Land. We organized one of the only student referendums in the history of the university. While we lost 48-52% we succeeded in shining a spotlight on the issue, and among our many cultural rights victories, forced the UA to formally recognize the existence of the San Carlos Apache Tribe.

 
(1991-2) Student Artist Call was a collective chap book containing materials submitted by participants and distributed through the mail. As a working group of SEAC (the national Student Environmental Action Coalition) pulled off three issues and succeeded to inject radical artistry, puberty, theater and prop making into an emerging social justice movement.

(1992) The Postal Art Broadside was a publication documenting the Postal Art project. The project featured walk up art stations, exhibits of all work submitted, and emailing of hundreds of works worldwide - feeding etc works back into the postal art movement. The project included a series of newspaper boxes converted to distribute Postal Art Kit’s and works of art for a quarter. 

 

 

(1997 - 2001) A/Rise was the newsletter of the Tucson Arts Brigade. There were (8) issues published before switching to an online version. TAB was a community arts collective, that established a city wide Mural Movement that hired artists to work in schools, neighborhoods and community centers. 

 

2018 Mural Festival Report Back

2018 Mural Festival Report Back
by Sadie Shaw

"Sugar Hill" © 2018 Teresa Diane Altamirano/ Tucson Arts Brigade

In April, TAB set out to add more murals into the Sugar Hill (Northwest) Neighborhood’s Bronx Wash to extend the set completed between 2009-17. Although there were many bureaucratic roadblocks in our way, TAB persevered and managed to work with neighbors, community leaders, and even local artist David Tineo to paint more murals in the neighborhood despite all odds.

The Sugar Hill Story Circle in April inspired local artists and TAB members to submit around 15 designs for murals in the Bronx Wash on Linden between 4th and 6th Ave. However, there was a disconnect between the Arts Foundation of Southern Arizona and TAB,  and because of a sudden change to the review process, our approval was delayed. Because of this, only three murals from the festival were painted at the original site in the Bronx Wash, but thanks to the generous donation of a neighbor, the majority of the murals found a home on a private wall 6th and Linden (including the mural by David Tineo). Check them out sometime!

TAB is a community driven arts organization, and we exist to inspire new artists and community leaders. From the Sugar Hill story circle, artist and Sugar Hill resident Sadie Shaw painted her first mural and was further motivated to become president of the Northwest Neighborhood Association and a board member of TAB! Together we hope to schedule another story circle and encourage a more open and accessible process to making public art in our community!

©2018 David Tineo/Tucson Arts Brigade

©2018 Sadie Shaw/Tucson Arts Brigade

Thank You To Our Supporters!!

Throughout the weekend over 150 visited, helped paint, took photographs and talked with their neighbors. Many had never met, and didn’t know there was a neighborhood association. Our supply tent was filled with healthy foods and cold drinks gathered by TAB Community Outreach Director Rose Taulton. Each morning TAB BOD member German Quiroga and intern Delbert Antone would set up the shade tent, supplies, water and comfort area. Thanks to all our dedicated volunteers the event had that feeling of comfort, delight and creativity. Many of the supplies were donated, and we especially want to thank ACE Hardware, Tucson Pastel Society,  GARDEN Inc., Felix Lawrence, German Quiroga, Sally Howard, Dorothy Richmond, John Newman, ACE Hardware, Tucson Brown Berets and Adrian Fernandez for making this festival possible.

2018 Mural Festival: Sugar Hill Tucson, AZ

2018 Neighborhood Mural Festival April 13-15

On April 13-15 artists and neighbors gathered for the first ever neighborhood based mural festival in Tucson, AZ. This festival was a huge success, with fourteen new murals created. Our theme was voices of Sugar Hill neighbors. Gathering and listening to these stories is an ongoing process. What we are learning, we are painting. These stories define who we are as a people, as a community and city. What makes us unique and creates an ambiance of tranquility? Knowing our stories, our roots is critical to maintaining our identity. 

The Festival came with a few unexpected perks. Famed muralist David Tineo arrived to paint a mural and canvases he left for youth to finish. Imagine getting to finish a master artists work as a young artist. Artists painted, and cleaned the area. We also cleaned up the Bronx Wash area, removing many bags of trash form the site. The other surprise was an intervention by the Arts Foundation for Southern Arizona, who cite an anonymous call "reporting" our murals a month before the festival, causing a delay to this day (as of 6/7/18). We learned about Tucson's written cultural policy (COT Administrative Directive 7) and started the process of advocating for neighborhood arts resources. While our festival received no funding, we realized that resources do exist, but are being diverted to expensive works of public art that often don't reflect the needs, concerns, voices, suggestions and history of residents. The delay was a shock and disappointment for artists and neighbors, but as always we took a bad situation and made some good come from it. 

We have more neighborhood Story Circles planned for Sugar Hill. One of the muralists, Sadie Shaw, became president of the North West Neighborhood Association, 13 new murals were created, the once secretive AFSA Artist "pre-qualified" list is now open for all to apply to, and conversations about Arts Based Solutions to Community Needs are being discussed. A door has opened to the AFSA, and our work falling more into synchronicity with each conversation. In our work there are always unexpected adventures, twists and turns. We live in a community that values civic participation, and if you find a problem and are willing to help solve it good things emerge.

Sadie Shaw: Family Stories

Teresa Diane Altamirano

Annalisa Loevenguth

David Tineo

Sabrina Vincent

Tanya Alvarez

Delbert Antone

Xaivier Ringer

Jessa Hudgens

Julian Argote

Caressa Wittwer

Michael Schwartz - El Hombre De Maiz (for my father)

Sharon Pederson

We were shocked and saddened that our local arts agency (Arts Foundation for Southern Arizona) gave us a multi-month run around, many artists didn't participate due to lack of wall space.

Artists Call: Neighborhood Mural Festival April 13-15, 2018

Calling All Artists! Neighborhood Mural Festival April 13-15, 2018

DEADLINE: Monday April 2, Midnight

Artists (and groups) of all styles and experience levels are invited to work alongside Tucson Arts Brigade (TAB) and residents of the historic Sugarhill and Jefferson Park Neighborhoods to gather stories and transform them into  murals.

Join us for this festive annual celebration of murals, food, community, music and more!


 

Want to get involved? Here’s how to apply:

Learn about the neighborhood: See the next page for brief history of this area and check our blog for updates about upcoming neighborhood story sessions and online resources:

Themes: Neighborhood stories, culture, residents, and traditions including those of Tucson’s African American community

Submit your mural design and application DEADLINE: Monday April 2, Midnight
To be considered, you must submit the following to TABmuralfest@gmail.com

1) Send 1 JPEG (maximum 5MB) of the preliminary sketch(es) of your mural design.

2) Write a short answer to the following questions:

-- Why are you interested in creating a mural in this neighborhood? What is your connection to or understanding of this area?
-- What knowledge, experience, skills, or strengths (artistic or otherwise) do you have that will help prepare you for this type of project? How can you  contribute?

3) Submit all Materials to:  TABmuralfest@gmail.com

Or By Surface Mail to: TAB/Mural Fest P.O.Box 545, Tucson, AZ 85702

Mural fest planning committee and neighbors review designs and offer feedback.


4) Attend the Neighborhood Story Circle:

Monday, March 26 at 6 PM - 8 PM 

Donna R Liggins Recreation Center, 2160 North 6th Ave. Tucson, AZ 85705

Details and What to Expect:

• Artists submit final revised design for approval by early April 10.
• Painting will happen Thursday April 12- Sun April 15, you will be assigned your wall upon check in.
• Most walls are 8' x 10'
• Neighbors and the public are invited to celebrate and interact with artists the weekend of April 14-15. Murals must be completed by 9pm Sun April 15.
• Artists must cover their own costs and supplies, including travel and lodging though we will be fundraising to offset these costs as much as possible.
• Murals will be on cement walls lining the Bronx Wash, which runs east-west along Linden   St.
• There will also be several walls available in nearby Jefferson Park neighborhood,
• You get a cleaned wall as your canvas plus storage, water, and basic supplies from the Paint Station
• An artist’s Food & Hydration Station will be open throughout the Fest
• If you need additional time, special equipment or support please make note of that in your application.
• This is a grassroots effort and we will do our best to accommodate all  needs!

Background Information About the Area:

Sugarhill
Sugarhill is the historic neighborhood which now encompasses the El Cortez Heights, Feldmans, and Northwest neighborhoods. The area was a home to many from Tucson’s African-American community and is an area with a diverse history and living culture.  Systematic housing discrimination, or redlining, meant this was one of the only areas where African Americans and other people of color were allowed to buy homes in Tucson until the passing of the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968.

The demographics of the area have shifted and changed over the years and we hope your murals will capture something about the past, present, and future of this diverse community.  To begin learning, try this 2005 article from the AZ Daily Star: “Life less sweet in Sugar Hill: Dorms and renters put a new face on diverse neighborhood”

Sample stories from Sugar Hill (provided by Armando Vargas)

Sugar Hill Water Tower

239 E Elm ST (construction about 1948) former home of the Turner family, Dr. Turner
DDS, hosted at his home the African American Jazz players/musicians and other African American entertainers in the 1950's and 1960's because these entertainers were not allow to stay in the hotel/motels along Miracle Mile Strip and Drachman where they were entertaining -- Tucson Inn, Executive Inn, Hilton, etc.  Carlton and Carl Bowdry, father and son, before they both passed away five or more years ago, shared with me numerous names of these entertainers.  One of the names I can remember was Dizzy Gillespie.  The late Dr. Turner's son, Joel V., is also a DDS.  The son's former office was on the SW corner of Grant/4th AV.  I do not know if the son has a new dental office location.  A few of the Sugar Hill residents confirmed verbally the Turner family hosted these entertainers.

433 E Elm (1955, red brick, 3-bdrm) was acquired recently by M.A. Goodman.  According to a nearby neighbor, Mr. R.E. Wilson sold his home to Goodman.  Both Mr. Wilson and his adult son are ill and needed money for health expenses.  Wilson called Goodman directly rather than list the house with a realtor.

Jefferson Park Neighborhood
More info about the history/culture of the nearby Jefferson Park Neighborhood, at one point the northern edge of Tucson can be found here: www.jeffersonpark.info

Click here to read “Weaving Art into Grant Road” along Grant road “Culture, History, and Environment” assembled by the neighborhood. 

For questions or more information please contact:  TABmuralfest@gmail.com

TAB Seeking Mural Arts Program Assistant




PO BOX 545, TUCSON AZ 85702
 •www.TucsonArtsBrigade.org • info@TucsonArtsBrigade.org

Spring 2018 Tucson Mural Arts Program Administration Associate: 10-18 hours a week

Applications Due Feb  23, 2018

The Tucson Mural Arts Program (TMAP) seeks to create a city wide outdoor gallery of original artworks by matching artists with wall owners. TMAP is a results-based beautification program that involves residents of all ages in the design and painting of murals.

The Mural Arts Program Associate Position reports to the Executive Director and supports the executive leadership team in daily operations.

Mural Arts Program Assistant Responsibilities include:

• Relocate equipment and supplies as needed.
• Assist with mural wall preparation, such as grid lines, priming, grinding, sealing, etc.
• Assist program Director with general tasks as needed.
• Assist on community paint days and projects;
• Assist in communications and outreach
• Update calendar listings to local media, follow up calls;
• Help conduct and format assessments, interviews and press clippings
• Help Select and Prepare works for exhibition and reproduction.
• Maintaining Databases, Contacting Artists as needed;
• Assist in material inventory and distribution;
• Assist on documentation;

The ideal candidate will have:

• Ability to work in fast-paced environment and manage multiple tasks
• Experience or interest in working within the field of community arts.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, a pleasant telephone manner and courteous and professional work style.
• Capacity to execute tasks with accuracy, consistency and attention to detail.
• Outstanding organizational/planning skills and the ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Ability to function professionally in an open studio environment.
• A sense of humor and describe oneself as flexible and reliable.
• Finger print clearance required for some tasks. (working with youth).
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record

How to Apply: Submit information by Feb 23, 2018 to: info@TucsonArtsBrigade.org

Please include contact information, schedule, CV or resume, and a cover letter that answers:
1. What interests you in this opportunity?
2. Briefly describe your most relevant experiences and skills for this position.
3. What should we know about you and/or your background that might not be evident in your CV/resume?

Project Profiles: Emma Bayne and Manny Garcia

Tucson Arts Brigade muralists are hard at work. We are so excited to share a few snapshots of upcoming mural projects.

Every week we are contacted by artists who want to paint the town. Each mural takes a considerable amount of time. Artists design the work of art, get it approved, gather materials, prepare the wall, transfer the design, paint the mural and finally protect the mural from the elements. Imagine a huge canvas, painted outdoors. It takes special tools, techniques, materials  and a lot of patience. We are now seeking donations for our neighborhood mural program. Most murals range in cost from $500. to $10,000. depending on the scope of the project. TAB works closely with artists creating a collaborative environment where artists share skills, resources and time to accomplish projects. Here are a few snapshots of muralists we are working with this month;

Every donation you make helps bring smiles to peoples faces;

Manny Garcia is an 80 year old artist. He paints on all sorts of objects like fords and wants to paint a mural depicting the wildlife of Tucson. He is really excited to work on a small wall and sent in this design, reminding us that he will be adding many more plants. Manny says he just wants to share the natural beauty of this place, and leave his mark on the town he loves so much.

We are seeking a highly visible smooth wall about 5 feet high by 14 feet long for his mural.

Emma Bayne is 19 and a freshman at the University of Arizona for Art Education. Her ultimate goal is to teach middle to high school art and how to be the next generation of artists. She was born in Denver Colorado, but raised here in Tucson. She has always loved Tucson’s character, especially the art community.

She has designed a mural for the North West neighborhood and writes: “My mural is about rebirth and creativity. It is a model of new life and holds personal significance in that I am starting on this new phase of life, growing older and going to college. I believe that life is circular and death only leads to new and beautiful life. In the mural the skulls represent the past and death, the butterfly of sacred rejuvenation and originality and the spiral of the cycle of rebirth. I chose the tiger swallowtail butterfly because it is my dad’s favorite animal, his symbol of sorts and my dad is the biggest inspiration and motivation in me pursuing art. I tied in the desert flora and fauna to represent Tucson’s amazing wildlife, and used bright colors to give the feel of fresh beginnings. I hope this mural evokes happiness and inspires to community to be thankful of life and to use their resources and time in creative ways. I love being able to give something back to the community which raised me by doing something I love to do.”

Goal: $1500.

We are also seeking to raise $1500. for materials, to manage the project, document and coordinate unveiling celebrations.

Donate to Tucson Arts Brigade Today and help make these murals become a reality.

By Mail: TAB POB 545, Tucson, AZ 85702

On Line: http://bit.ly/YrIrJh

2016-7 Community Arts Internship Opportunities

Call for Mural Assistants and Interns

Help Beautify and Unify Tucson!

 2016 - 7 Mural Arts Internships Opportunities

We have several exciting internship opportunities open. If you are like to have fun, build community and work with a highly energized creative team of change makers and artists this opportunity is perfect for you.

(10 - 20 hrs a week) Mural Arts Program: This position includes assisting Lead Artists, visiting artists, working on mural projects and maintaining our inventory of murals.

(5 hrs week) Marketing & Development: Help fund raise and publicize TAB programs and opportunities.

(5 hrs week)  Assessment and Research: We are seeking social science or education majors familiar with a variety of approaches to evaluation, assessment and tracking tools.

Internship Positions reports to the Executive Director and supports the executive leadership team in daily operations.

What will I actually be doing?

• Assisting Muralists as needed;
• Preparing, priming walls, top coats.
• Coordinate transportation and field trips;
• Assist in material inventory and distribution;
• Assist on documentation;
• Assist Coordinating community paint days and projects;
• Assist in identifying and securing healthy snacks;
• Update calendar listings to local media, follow up calls;
• Studio work: painting, cleaning, light lifting, preparing surfaces;
• Painting and preparing walls.
• Assist on Community Cultural Development initiatives, colloquia and meetings.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience or interest in working within the field of community cultural development.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, a pleasant telephone manner and courteous and professional work style.
• Capacity to execute tasks with accuracy, consistency and attention to detail.
• Outstanding organizational/planning skills and the ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Ability to function professionally in an open studio environment.
• A sense of humor and describe oneself as flexible and reliable.
• Finger print clearance required for some tasks. (working with youth).

How to Apply: Submit information to: info@TucsonArtsBrigade.org

Please include contact information, schedule, CV or resume, and a cover letter that answers:

1. What interests you in this opportunity?

2. Briefly describe your most relevant experiences and skills for this position.

3. What should we know about you and/or your background that might not be evident in your CV/resume?

New Art School Opens this Fall

The Michael B Schwartz School of Art opens this fall with a new Visual Arts program for gifted and talented young artists Ages 11-18, on Saturdays from 1-6pm at the Citizens Artist Collective, Studio #13, 44 W 6th St. in downtown Tucson.

There are two semesters this fall, Semester 1: Saturdays, September 12 - October 24, Semester 2: Saturdays October 31 - December 12. The cost is $300. per semester or $50. per session. Scholarships are available based on economic need. All materials, field trip and snacks are included.


This program provides an in depth study of the tools, techniques and concepts in the media of painting, drawing and mixed visual arts media. Young artist are taught to harness their super powers and creative sensibilities. This practice fosters, guides and supports each students unique creative sensibilities in a professional working studio environment.

Students can register on line at www.MichaelBSchwartz.com.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and must include a letter describing the students artistic goals and why you are interested in this program,  three sample artworks (jpeg) and a short portfolio interview.

For more information contact 520-791-9359 or visit www.michaelbschwartz.com

About Michael B Schwartz MFA 1991 University of Arizona, BFA 1988 Tyler School of Art at Temple University, is a visual artist whose creative practice includes the production of public art, murals, paintings, drawings, writings and teaching. His work with the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, Fleisher Art Memorial, International Council of Adult Education, National Audubon Society, Tucson Museum of Art, Teaching Artist Journal and Prescott College has propelled him to the top of his field. His many awards include the Puffin Foundation and Art Matters Fellowships. Mr. Schwartz is an internationally respected muralist and educator with a unique ability to assist students in clearing creative blockages so they can produce unique heart felt master works.

Community Build Day 2015

Images by Eveolyn Madrid, Bob Torrez and TAB.

The Tucson Arts Brigade and Tucson Mural Arts Program were delighted to offer Tucson’s first ever “Community Build Day” on Saturday June 6, 2015 from 10am - 5pm at 316 N 4th Ave. in Haggerty Plaza. This exciting one day event brought together over 60 youth and adults to paint murals, create mosaics, network, celebrate and more.

The day included mural painting, mosaics, recycled art, car painting and t-shirt making. Unlike past projects this was not a “paint by number” project, rather participants interacted discussing what colors and ideas should be used. The collaborative design for the mural reflected it’s the original “Share the Bounty” image created in 1997.

Participants and organizers came from throughout southern Arizona. One goal of this project was to bring together Tucson and Ajo art students to collaborate on a project. Some of the students had met in Ajo for the Street Mural Project this past spring and this project helped forge these relationships. We were also joined by volunteers from the Bank of America who really helped get the day going with their energy and enthusiasm.

It was a delightful day and lots of people passing by participated. Arriving at 8am, we managed to clean up by 5pm. Out of this experience has emerged a planning committee who will be meeting over the summer to plan for our next big event. 

The mural we were painting has a long history. It was originally painted in 1997 as part of the Phantom Mural Project. The mural faded and we sought grant support to fund the restoration and creation of an outdoor classroom. Finally after several failed grants we turned to the community, people power, to fund and bring tis project to completion. There are still funds to be raised, but we are on our way!

The mural depicts a woman holding baskets filled with produce from local farmers. This new version of the mural includes tiles and a new color scheme. Community Build Day was planned by a group of 18 volunteers who shared the vision of building positive thinking communities through the arts. Volunteers staffed a series of stations; T-Shirt making, mosaics, car-painting, recycled-art and mural painting. It did get hot and we decided that our next event would start earlier and end about noon. None the less our crew stayed until past 5pm, cleaning up the site and taking the time to reflect on our work.


The mural still needs some work, our hot summer days and a bit much for the painters, and the paint. We will be resuming work on this and other projects one the summer monsoons bring cooler weather.

You can make a tax-deductible donation to this project by mail: TAB POB 545, Tucson, AZ 85702
or on line: http://bit.ly/YrIrJh

Community Build day was a fantastic step in bringing together people who are filled with creative passion to re-imagine the world we wish to inhabit. We look forward to lots more acts of collective art making this summer and fall.

For information on how you can get involved email: TMAP@TucsonArtsBrigade.org

A Special Thank You to all our community sponsors;