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.

THE HEALING POWER OF MUSIC EVENT

THE HEALING POWER OF MUSIC EVENT

Featuring:
the Gabriel Ayala Quintet
AND…
the Grammy Nominated
R. Carlos Nakai Quartet


Dates: Feb 24, Feb 25 and Feb 26, 2017
Time:  Friday, Feb 24 7:00PM ,  Saturday Feb 25th  10am-9:30pm and Sunday February 26th: 10-5pm.
Location:   Edward B. Berger Performing Arts Center, 1200 W. Speedway Blvd, Tucson, AZ  (map)
Investment:  $25 > $250

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE 

 A percentage of tickets ordered via Arts Brigade links goes to benefit TAB Mural Arts programs and activities. Thank you for your support!

This 3-day event consists of beautiful and powerful healing music, and incredible mind-blowing science and moving film. We’ll be highlighting and EXPERIENCING music’s power to create healing, harmony and happiness in your life.

The event will feature:

• The Gabriel Ayala Quintet
• R. Carlos Nakai and the R. Carlos Nakai Quartet: The world’s premier player of the Native American flute.
• Dr. Melinda Connor: How Music Heals the Brain
• Tiamo De Vettori- Inspirational Singing at it’s Finest L.A. Music Award’s “Singer/Songwriter of the Year” & San Diego’s “Best Songwriter”
• Mark Romero – NASA Scientist Verified Musical Energy Healing
• Trey Vincent, 13 year old Music Prodigy , recovered from Autism with music. Get ready to have your mind blown!
• Marthajane Vincent: How My Son Recovered From Autism using Music (discussion)
• Leigh Lesho: Folk/Pop/Country/Rock Music infused with the Yoga of Sound (musical performance)
• Mystic Minstrel, Chad Wilkins
• Mark Scaramuzzo, from the up and coming Tucson pop/rock group Orange Kids will play Uklele tunes to make us happy!
• And Robert Villa deeply move you with his skill as a master violinist.

A percentage of tickets ordered via Arts Brigade links goes to benefit TAB Mural Arts programs and activities. Thank you for your support! 

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE 

First Annual Paint-A-Thon to Fund New Tucson Murals

"Second Saturday Downtown Paint-a-Thon!”

Tucson Arts Brigade Invites You to Paint with Them at Second Saturday Paint-a-Thon Fundraiser on Jan 14, 6 - 10pm

Tucson, AZ - Local non-profit organization Tucson Arts Brigade, responsible for the Tucson Mural Arts Program and many new and beautiful downtown murals, is hosting a fundraising event on Saturday, January 14th  from 6 - 10pm at Monsoon Collective 127 N 5th Ave.  Guests are invited to join in painting murals on free walls and let their creativity loose while mingling among other art-minded Tucson folk and providing some much-needed funding for this great arts non-profit. 

Entry is $10 a person and all ages are welcome.  Snacks, brushes, and walls will be provided, but we do ask that you bring your own paint as ours will be limited!

Profits from this fundraiser will go directly to maintaining existing murals, providing materials and supplies for the creation of new murals, and keeping the Tucson Arts Brigade active and running.

TUCSON ARTS BRIGADE, INC. (TAB) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) arts and education organization dedicated to participatory community arts with an emphasis on facilitating inter-group opportunities for youth, elders, and adults.

Monsoon Collective is an exhibition and temporary art space that can be found at 127 N 5th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701, just south of Thunder Canyon Brewery. Call 520-791-9359 for more information, or write us at info@TucsonArtsBrigade.org

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!

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.

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).

Spring 2016 Mural Arts Program Internship

Spring 2016 Mural Arts Program Internship: 10-15 hours a week






We are really excited about the up coming series of murals being created downtown, and now you can be part of the fun. Projects will start in the last week of April, starting with a pep rally and then off to start beautifying our city!

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

Mural Arts Program Assistant Responsibilities include:

• 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?

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

MURAL/TRASH CONTAINER ART TO BE UNVEILED

MURAL/TRASH CONTAINER ART TO BE UNVEILED

 On Friday, February 5, 2016, the City of Tucson Environmental Services Department will unveil and begin delivery of five metal trash containers that have been painted with murals as part of an effort to reduce graffiti.  Environmental Services contracted with the Tucson Arts Brigade to coordinate the project. Additional funding was provided by the Graffiti Resource Council in Washington, DC.


Five Tucson artists have designed and painted the trash containers which will be provided to businesses that have a high potential for graffiti and tagging. The City, working with the Tucson Arts Brigade hopes the program will also improve urban aesthetics and ultimately save taxpayers money on graffiti abatement.

Porter McDonald

Ruben Moreno

Johanna Hand

Niki Glen

Sasha Lewis

Five artists were selected from 44 applicants who ranged from established painters to first-time muralists. The artists are Johanna Hand, Sasha Lewis, Niki Glen, Porter McDonald and Ruben Moreno. The city provided $5,000 in funding for the pilot program, which was matched by the Graffiti Resource Council, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit vandalism prevention organization.
Tucson City Councilman Steve Kozachik said, “City leaders have been working on this program for quite some time. Even though such initiatives may not end the exorbitant cost of graffiti abatement, they can potentially help save money as well as beautify the city.”

The unveiling of the trash containers will be held in the parking lot, behind the Chicago Store in downtown Tucson on Friday, February 5, 2016 at 12:30 p.m. All five of the trash containers will be on display before being delivered to the business customers participating in the program.

BBVN Tile Mosaic Mural Workshops Dates Set

 By R. Roati

As most of you know, BBVN is working with a Tucson artist to construct tile mosaic murals on the two low walls at the intersection of the Treat Walkway and Arroyo Chico. 

Due to the fabulous efforts of neighbors John, Linda, Matt, Emma Stapleton, Barbara O'Brien, Barbara Kuelbs, Justine Hernandez, Judd Ruggill, Susan Silverman, Mike Weingarten & Joan Thomas, all under the direction and expert assistance of Tucson artist Michael B. Schwartz, we built tiles, painted them, fired them, prepared the walls, applied thinset, and installed tiles, so that two of the wall sides are now largely complete.

We're going to turn now to the remaining sides to complete the tile mosaic mural installation! Thanks to Mary Wolfe for the donation of some beautiful tiles for this next phase! Please join us for two tile installation parties:

What: Tile installation party (north mural)
Date: Sunday October 18
Time: 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm

What: Tile installation party (south mural)
Date: Sunday October 25
Time: 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm

For both parties, please bring:
Old clothes
Rubber gloves
Hats, water, sunscreen
Any thinset tools you might have such as trowels and pans (we have some, but more is better)
A digital camera
Food and drinks
We'll supply the rest

You can just show up, or register by clicking here.

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;