Free-Walls: What are they?

Could Free Walls Solve Tucson's Censorship Problem?

Tacoma Graffiti Garages, Tacoma, WA

by Felix Lawrence; USDAC, Pima County Outpost

Free-Walls are areas on public property where people can paint, post or draw 2-dimensional (flat) images & text.  Just as the City of Tucson provides public parking, tennis courts etc. it can also provide areas for people to create public art on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Many cities already have such walls; as you might expect, they are not free of controversy!  This article reviews several such sites. Ironically, one of the most famous Free-Walls was in communist China! 

Tucson Arts Brigade (TAB) is developing a proposal to open a Free-Wall for public art in Tucson; the proposal is currently in the early research stage, any suggestions you have would be appreciated.  We believe that the public is not just the passive audience for public art, we are also participants.  Our experiences with the Public Art Community Design Committee (PACD) have demonstrated that public art in Tucson has serious barriers to public participation; it is elitist.  PACD has censored the political content of our artwork; apparently it believes it needs to protect the people of Tucson from ideas.

 Olympia Free Wall, Olympia, Wa

The rough-draft proposal we have on the drafting board now looks like this:  

The City of Tucson would require artists to sign an agreement; this would release the City from all liability (both from personal injury, and damage to the artwork).

The City would then assign the artist an area to paint, or tell them to paint over the oldest existing artwork (artwork would be tagged with the date the artist received permission to paint).  There are many City-owned walls already built, visible & accessible from the street, so this wouldn’t cost the City anything, if it is willing to abstain from control & enforcement of rules.  Yes, the artwork may be ugly, offensive etc.  but at least it won’t last long.

The artists could, at their own expense, install video cameras to monitor the site; this info & the archives would be public & available via the internet.  Whatever proposal we put forward, inevitably the City will modify it.

The City’s main concern may be cost & liability (it may want them to be zero).  It may also may want to retain control of the content of the artwork; we must resist this as much as possible if that happens.  It is OK to prohibit obscenity, hate speech, etc. but political & religious content must be allowed if a Free-Wall is to be worthy of its name.

Stay updated on this story by visiting: http://www.tucsonartsbrigade.org/

Adopt-A-Mural Program: Preserve Tucson Murals - Adopt-A-Mural! Help Maintain Your City Wide Outdoor Gallery

Did you hear the news?

Click this image to hear Tucson News Now Story

We know you love the Arts Brigade murals, and now we need your help in preserving these epic works of art. TAB has over 100 murals in it’s inventory. These murals are looking great, but over time the elements take their toll and we have to maintain the works by cleaning them, removing scuff marks and applying new protective top coats. As properties change ownership, and wall contracts expire we work to insure these works are preserved and maintained for all to enjoy. All this takes time and money.

To participate in the program fill out this simple form.

Please consider becoming a sustained supporter of TAB by making a monthly contribution. Contact us to find out more, and how you can help support this legacy. You can also follow the link and sign up for reoccurring donations.

To adopt-a-mural you can make monthly donations and specify this project, or make a single one time donation and ask your friends to match that amount.

For monthly sustained donations you do need to set up a Pay-pal account, or we can send out a monthly reminder if people prefer sending a check. These donations are of course tax deductible.





Just want to support the program directly? We have set up a special pay-pal so 100 percent of donations go directly to services! Just click here or the icon below.

Civil Rights Artwork Available for Exhibit

This unique collection of paintings were produced by Tucson Arts Brigade and the Tucson Volunteer Center for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Art Service. The artworks were part of a popular education project conducted each year for the community at large at the Community Arts Lab. 

Over a series of workshops participants researched and learned together about the civil rights era. The artworks were then installed as backdrops inside a real bus. Volunteer Center staff developed a walk through theater piece to teach children about freedom summer. The paintings were featured by local news stations on live television in 2003 and 2004. The Volunteer Center housed the paintings until the center closed. The paintings then ended up in storage and finally returned to TAB in 2015. 

These works are available as a collection for display and educational purposes. Please contact TAB to learn how you can exhibit these works.

We are seeking a permanent home for this collection. If you have ideas about where this collection could be best housed please contact TAB.

Tucson Arts Brigade

info@TucsonArtsBrigade.com

Black Lives Matter
By Valeria K Hutchings
Size: 104” x 89”

Acrylic on Canvas

Bus Backdrop Art

Lead artists: Michael Schwartz (TAB), Danielle Fink Volunteer Center

Andrew Young
Size: 41” x 29”

Acrylic on Canvas
 

Emma Baker
Size: 41” x 29”

Acrylic on Canvas
 

Harriet Tubman
Size: 41” x 29”

Acrylic on Canvas
 

Ida B Wells
Size: 41” x 29”

Acrylic on Canvas


Percy Lavon Julian
Size: 41” x 29”

Acrylic on Canvas

I Am A Man
Size: 37.5” x 25.5”

Acrylic on Canvas

Sing for Justice

Size: 36” x 51”

Acrylic on Canvas

Learn More about Civil Rights Freedom Songs from Folkways Records

Civil Rights March 1
Size: 37.5” x 25.5”
Acrylic on Canvas

 

Civil Rights March 2
Size: 37.5” x 25.5”

Acrylic on Canvas

Civil Rights March 3

Size: 26.5” x 128”

Acrylic on Canvas

Rosa Parks

Size: Shaped Canvas 49” x 80”

Acrylic on Canvas
 This work was created by youth for MLK Day of Service. The work was featured live on local news, who reported back throughout the newscast and interviewed participants as the mural progressed.

New Spring 2017 Murals!

There are lots of new murals going up this spring, and more in the design and planning stages. As the times change, so is TAB’s Mural program. We are finding that many of our muralists feel strongly about a variety of civic issues. These inspiring stories need to be told.

Deportations, Racism, Standing Rock and Domestic Violence are a few of the subjects TAB artists are discussing. We are finding a massive groundswell of support deep within Tucson neighborhoods for this dialogue. As we talk about these ideas, and share our stories we are learning of even more issues, stories of valor and overcoming huge personal barriers, of coming to America, of pain, hope and recovery. By telling these stories we are coming together as a community to heal, to mend and beautify these places we live, work and play.

We invite you to join us in supporting this new era for TAB’s Mural program.
#WeHaveSomethingToSay

We have a number of new muralists preparing designs. Each of these small and mid sized mural projects cost between $1000 to $8000 to produce. These murals are completely funded by small and large donations from people like you who love murals. To make a tax deductible investment click here.

Emma Bayne “Rebirth” 2017

“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.”

Sneha Srinivasan

Ever since I got to college, I dreamed of painting a mural. I thought it was a way to make a lasting impact on Tucson. So opportunity finally came up to paint one, I was ecstatic. To be able to share a message of hope with a community that I love is such a joy. In a present time so riddled with hate and turmoil, I wanted to see how art could spread a message of kindness, hope and love. And I know how cliche it all sounds, but I truly believe that over all the waves of trials and tribulations, as a population we can come together for just a second, no matter our race, gender or sexuality, and grow a brighter future.

Nikki Ortiz “La Paz”

Teresa Altamirano (Mural in Progress)

Mural in Progress

Mural Design

"I have been drawing for as long as I can remember. I went to college and took many fine art courses as well as digital art courses. I have an associates degree in Illustration. I draw, paint and have done a few sculptures in the past. I almost gave up being an artist a few years ago thinking I would get no where. But I realized that is stupid, because no one should give up what they do and who they are. This will be my first mural and I would be so happy to have my work displayed as part of my city. I hope to expand on this and do many more in the future.”

Iconic Downtown Murals Become Destinations

Niki Glen's Pollinators Mural

Tucson, AZ: The Downtown Mural Program has been a huge success. There have been numerous stories in the press and social media is on fire. This program comes after years of hard work, experimentation and the perfect timing. Our most recent collaborations have brought joy, inspiration, dialogue, excitement and energy to our downtown.

Hundreds of people are coming downtown to see the murals, thousands more are talking about them. This is much more on the way, stay tuned!

This artwork is inspired by Tucson’s rich cultural diversity, history and urban fabric.
The project started back in late January on the heels of the City of Tucson Environmental Services mural project, and the new Traffic Control Box mural initiative. 

 The Arts Brigade issued a statewide call for Mural Artists to submit works, the selection committee, which included Julie Sasse Chief Curator Tucson Museum of Art, Ceci Garcia and Susan Silverman from the Tucson Pima Arts Council Public Art Committee,  Mary Lou Thompson of Tierra Antigua Realty and Brandi Haga-Blackman of the Downtown Tucson Partnership reviewed 58 applicants work. As you can see we were seeking muralists that would uphold the highest professional standards of quality, with delightful and inspiring themes.

We want to especially thank the Tohono O’odham Nation, Visit Tucson and Arts Brigade supporters for funding this project. Our partners Graffiti Protective Coatings, Park Tucson, and the Downtown Tucson Partnership provided critical in-kind services.

This project would have been impossible without the hard work and dedication of Sabrina Wilson, our Assistant Project Manager. Our artists are, Ignacio Garcia, Niki Glen, To-Ree-Nee Wolf, Rock Martinez assisted by Cristina Perez, Summer Kitchen Studios – Alexandra, Rachel and Tim, Jessica Gonzales, Luis Mena and Isaac Caruso.








A very special thank you also to the Businesses and property wall owners: Rialto Theatre, City of Tucson Housing and Community Development Department, 5 North 5th Hotel, Café 54, Wig-o-Rama, Century Link and John Wesley Miller. 

If you need additional information on the mural project, or how to support our efforts, visit our website at www.TucsonArtsBrigade.org

There were a number of great stories about the Downtown Mural project. Here are links to the Arizona Daily Star and Zocolo articles, which include some great writing, photographs and links to artist websites for you to enjoy.

9 new murals in downtown scream TUCSON
By Kathleen Allen Arizona Daily Star

Tucson’s New Outdoor Art Gallery
by Craig Baker, Zocolo Magazine

Mural Arts * Community * Inspiration *Hope *Joy!

Dear Friends of the Tucson Arts Brigade,

After 20 years of grassroots organizing, the Tucson Arts Brigade (TAB) has facilitated a vibrant Mural Arts Program for the entire Tucson community - and for that, we thank you. Already images of our eight new murals have become Downtown Tucson icons and the buzz is going viral! With your help, TAB will be able to sustain this momentum and continue to partner with the City of Tucson, local businesses and others to give artists an opportunity to sharp0en their skills, deter graffiti, and get paid! What better way can there be for the Tucson Arts Brigade to support artists in our community?

Even though the City of Tucson Mural Arts Program has been a great success and we have supported the creation of new public art works, we still need your help to keep TAB alive and thriving. Now you can help conserve and grow this citywide outdoor gallery. Preserving these monumental murals is no easy task. It takes time, resources and the sort of long standing commitment Arts Brigade has demonstrated since 1996.

Click Here 2 Donate

Today is your chance to jumpstart the TAB Summer Fundraiser Campaign, so please donate today! Help us prepare for the next wave of mural requests by helping us raise the $50,000 in matching funds needed to keep stable infrastructure support for TAB. This Campaign will sustain our ongoing efforts to hire artists to work in schools, neighborhoods, and community centers.

For the inaugural series of the City of Tucson Mural Arts Program, TAB managed a public art selection process, and produced 8 murals by 10 artists and 20 assistants in six weeks! Funding support was provided by the Tohono O'odham Nation, Visit Tucson and others to make this dream a reality. As the program manager, TAB provided critical technical support, extra materials and administrative guidance that guaranteed our success in downtown Tucson. We worked in partnership with eight businesses that included: Benjamin Supply Company, Rialto Theater, Wig-O-Rama, Café 54, Century Link, John Wesley Miller and others who were involved in the selection of the mural design for their sites. Each mural has become a destination point and the business owners are thrilled with the high level of media attention and overwhelming community celebration of the eight murals.

Now, we are asking you, the friends of the Tucson Arts Brigade, to build on this tremendous momentum and help us vision the next round of murals on utility boxes and walls all over Tucson and beyond. Our new mural motto was inspired by TAB artists: "Get permission. Get paid!"

At TAB, our vision is to curate a city-wide outdoor gallery of professional murals for Tucson. We have grown a team of highly skilled and energized interns who have been assisting with our growth and provided invaluable support by assisting with logistics, organizing mural meetings and assisting with the TAB Arts Education program. This fall we will be presenting more murals, hands on visual arts workshops, public forums, mural films and more. Your donations make it happen.

You help fund it all: the art supplies, the curriculum development, and even the artists. Often TAB workshops are the ONLY visual arts instruction that students receive in the public schools. The waiting list is filled with more than 50 schools, neighborhoods and community centers that are requesting services from TAB.

TAB Summer Fundraiser Campaign Donation Request:

    • $20 will provide art supplies for one student participant.
    • $50 will purchase one gallon of paint for a Tucson mural.
    • $100 will keep help Conserve our growing inventory of murals.
    • $250 supports a TAB Teaching Artist for one afternoon in a Tucson school.
    • $1,800 helps underwrite one mural


Donate to Tucson Arts Brigade
By mail: TAB P.O.Box 545, Tucson AZ 85702
Online: http://bit.ly/YrIrJh
By phone: 520-791-9359

Thank you all for your kind words, encouragement and unyielding support for the last 20 years. With your support, we have made our dream of showcasing world class murals in Downtown Tucson come true. Keep your eyes open for more exciting TAB news coming soon!

With utmost gratitude,


Michael Schwartz
Director Tucson Arts Brigade
www.TucsonArtsBrigade.org • info@TucsonArtsBrigade.org • EIN: 86-0996770
—————————————————

P.S. - Don't forget to visit our website www.tucsonartsbrigade.org to download the Mural Program Map, join our mailing list, subscribe to the blog, and stay connected for all of the latest and greatest TAB news!

P.S.S. - Tell all of your friends to tag #tucsonartsbrigade whenever they post an image of one of the Downtown Tucson Murals so that we can receive notice and keep our artists connected to and supported by TAB!

Downtown Mural Unvieling May 31, 8am

Nikki Glenn's mural features pollinators of the Sonoran Bioregion

If you've been downtown in recent weeks you have probably noticed that Arts Brigade Muralists are hard at work creating eight monumental works of beautiful art amidst the bustle of downtown development. The work is far from over. This is where you come in, as you admire and take pictures of these spectacular works we invite you to join the excitement by supporting Tucson Arts Brigade.











People who donate $100 or more will receive a special limited edition of eight postcards of the final murals.

These new murals represent the continuation of an exciting city wide mural program and collaboration with the City of Tucson as we continue to hire artists to work in schools, neighborhoods and community centers to beautify and unify the places we live and work.

Your support means we will be able to maintain our growing inventory of murals, and expand opportunity to even more artists. Employing fine artists to bring beauty and joy to our neighborhoods and centers of civic life is what Arts Brigade does best. So we hope you will join with us to celebrate this unique moment by making a donation to a very special arts organization.

We invite you to join us this Tuesday for a special event:

Downtown Murals: Artists Forum

When: Tuesday May 24, 6-7pm
Ages: All Ages, Free and Open to the Public
Where: Lower Level Meeting Room, Pima County Public Library, 101 N Stone Ave.

Lead Muralists and assistants will share their experiences of being muralists, painting downtown, building a mural movement life as an artist.

Presented by the City Of Tucson Mural Program, and management partner Tucson Arts Brigade.
Click Here for More Information

Students from various schools have been going on mural tours and getting a first hand account from muralists.

**As a supporter of the Tucson Arts Brigade we want to invitee you to a special unveiling ceremony for the Downtown Mural Project**

Tuesday May 31, 8am
Benjamin Plumbing Supply
440 N 7th Ave 85705

Ignacio Garcia's mural in progress at the Rialto Theater.

Isaac Carusos Mural on Scott Ave.

City of Tucson Mural Program Announce winning designs for Downtown Murals Open House Tues. April 26

Tucson, AZ: The community at large is invited to see the winning designs for the Downtown Mural initiative during a Mural Design Open House, Tuesday April 26, 6-7pm at the Pima County Public Main Library 101 N Stone Ave. in the Lower Level Meeting Room. This is an all ages free event.

Following an exhaustive selection process the City of Tucson Mural Arts Program announces the winning artists for the Downtown Mural initiative. The selection committee included Julie Sasse Chief Curator Tucson Museum of Art, Ceci Garcia and Susan Silverman from the Tucson Pima Arts Council Public Art Committee,  Mary Lou Thompson of Tierra Antigua Realty and Brandi Haga-Blackman of the Downtown Tucson Partnership.

Eight mural teams have been selected to create murals throughout the downtown Tucson starting May 2. Painting will continue through June 6.

Issac Caruso, at 9 North Scott Ave

Niki Glen, at the West corner of 5th Ave and Toole

Rachel Slick, Tim Schirack, and Alexandra Gjurasic, at Café 54, 54 East Pennington

 Ignacio Garcia at the Rialto Theater, 318 E Congress St, Tucson, AZ 85701

Rocky Martinez, at Benjamin Supply, 440 North 7th Ave 

 Luis Mena, at Century Link, 142 E Pennington

Jessica Gonzales, at Wig-O-Rama, 98 East Congress

To-Ree-Nee Wolf Keiser, at Old Scrappy’s, 213 East Broadway 85701
http://www.toreenee.com/

Volunteer, underwriting and sponsorship opportunities are available for this an future projects. Contact the Tucson Arts Brigade online at www.TucsonArtsBrigade.org or by calling 520-791-9359.

This project is a program of the City Of Tucson Mural Program, which is managed by the Tucson Arts Brigade with funding from the Tohono O’odham Nation, Friends of Tucson Arts Brigade and Visit Tucson. Additional support is being provided by the Downtown Tucson Partnership, 2nd Saturdays Downtown, Park Tucson and Graffiti Protective Coatings, Inc. (GPC).

Live Arts: Time Lapse Video of TAB Cinelli Mural

This past Saturday three members of the Arts Brigade created a live art-performance Mural at Fit Works Cycling on Toole Avenue. The mural featured the Cinelli Bicycle Logo and color scheme. There was also an auction to benefit TAB.

 Now the final 8' x 8' painting is being auctioned off!

To bid on this beautiful work of art please contact:
Kurt Rosenquist at kurt@fitworkscycling.com

Bidding will be open for several weeks.

Check out this cool time lapse video on YouTube of the mural being created here:

Invest in our Arts Education and Mural Arts Programs here: Donate Today :)

Thank you for your ongoing support of TAB and our Community Arts and Education Programs.

Artist Request for Proposals: Downtown Tucson Murals

Deadline: Midnight Sunday March 6, 2016

The City of Tucson is currently accepting proposals from artists interested in creating murals in downtown Tucson.  The Tucson Mural Program is providing funding for murals that reflect diversity in style and culture. The program will encourage artists from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply and offer their ideas and designs for these murals. This program is aimed at enriching the greater downtown Tucson experience for residents and visitors alike.

Program Goals
The goals of this program are to:

1. Beautify public areas in downtown which attract heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
2. Use art as a landmark to connect residents and visitors to public and private areas downtown;
3. Prevent tagging and vandalism;
4. Select dedicated and qualified artists that can demonstrate artistic excellence while completing this program on time and within budget.

About the Program

• Up to ten murals by ten individual artist or team of collaborative artists will be selected.
• Mural sizes are listed in Appendix A. Artists do not choose sites.
• The selection committee is open to all unifying themes. (political or religious themes are not allowed.)
• The artist is responsible for surface preparation which may include power washing the surface, removing chipping paint, priming the wall etc.
• The mural will serve as a visual landmark and should be distinctive through use of design, color, etc. Only original art will be considered.
• The design will be suitable and acceptable for public viewing of all ages.
• Design must be scalable.
• Only Arizona artists will be considered.
• The program budget includes the artist(s) fee, wall preparation, paints, sundries and top coat. Most projects will not exceed $8,000.
• The program budget does not cover travel, lodging or meal costs. Artists are encouraged to tap into existing professional and personal networks to keep costs reasonable.
• Artists may bring their own brushes, rollers and other special equipment required to produce the mural.
• Surface preparation may include power washing the surface, removing chipping paint, priming the wall, etc.
• The medium to be used must be durable and able to withstand minor wear and tear and harsh outdoor elements for at least five years.
• Program will procure Nova Color Artists’ Acrylic exterior thinners, paints and clear topcoats as manufactured by Nova Color or approved equivalent. All pigments shall have a lightfastness rating of I as per ASTM D5098. Application methods shall be as per manufacturer’s installation directions to ensure the maximum possible lifespan of the mural.
• Murals must be completed by June 3, 2016
• Artists can submit for more than one mural, but each mural must have its own proposal.

Proposals – Submit to COTMuralProgram@gmail.com
Artists interested in creating a work of art through this funding opportunity must submit the following by midnight March 6, 2016 to be considered.

1. A one-page narrative concept for the mural, including supplemental information such as medium and approximate dimensions of the proposed mural.  The narrative should convey the artistic content, colors, style of work, etc. Also include: (a) Wall preparation plan (b) Mural protection/ maintenance plan
2. Timetable (murals must be completed by June 3, 2016)
3. 11 X17 drawing illustration of the proposed mural. Please include mural concepts in PDF or JPEG formats
4. Itemized budget outlining all costs associated with mural production (artist(s) fee, wall preparation, paints, sundries and top coat)
5. 1-2 page Resume, contact information
6. Artist statement (no longer than one page)
7. Five – eight (5-8) examples of past murals Submit as PDF or JPEG
8. One page Image list including size, materials, costs and location of works.
9. All proposal components must be submitted in a digital format. Submit as PDF, JPEG or Word Docs.

Selection Criteria

• Ability to install mural in a timely manner
• Quality of previous work.
• Quality of Proposal
• Additional Selection Considerations

Public Safety

• Proposal does not present any public safety hazards.  

Artistic Merit

• Proposed artwork is aesthetically pleasing and appropriate for the public realm.
• Artist’s past work demonstrates proficiency in the proposed medium.
• Artist has exhibited in the public or private realm and participated in team and/or community-based art programs.

Site Suitability

• Artwork is suitable for the site based on size, scale, and form.
• Proposal considers the variety of audiences at the site.
• Proposal considers the social, historical, architectural, geographical and/or cultural context of the site.

Artwork Durability

• Artwork will be made of durable materials to withstand outdoor weather conditions.
• Artwork is carefully planned ensuring sound fabrication and installation.

Artists Informational Meeting

Tuesday Feb. 16,  6-7pm

Lower Level Meeting Room

Pima County Public Library

101 N Stone Ave.

Project Timeline

Feb 3, 2016              Artist Call Issued
Feb 16, 2016            Artist Informational Meeting         
MARCH 6, 2016    Applications Due for Artists Proposal and Concept Designs
March 7, 2016         Artists Pool Selected (Panel Meets Session 1)
March 21                 Artists Finalists: Site Specific Mural Design Due
March 28                 Artist Finalists Selected (Panel Meets Session 2)        
April 25                   Mural Painting Starts
June 3                      All Murals Complete           

Appendix A
Mural Sizes Approximate (in feet)
Sizes are Width x Length

1. 18 X 50
2. 36 X 29
3. 50 X 30
4. 47 X 12
5. 35 X 28
6. 70 X 28
7. 36 X 20
8. 4 parts: East 35 X 7, S/E 10 X 7, South 22 X 7, West 16 X 7
9. 24 X 15
10. 50 X 50

For more information:
Project Manager Michael Schwartz: 520-791-9359 or email COTMuralProgram@gmail.com