Taking art to the streets: Downtown Phoenix Inc.’s placemaking initiative

Placemaking is a participatory process for shaping public space that harnesses the ideas and assets of the people who use it. So it’s not surprise that some of the most successful public art pieces in the Downtown Core are collaborative, community-driven projects — the product of artists and creatives working in tandem with nonprofits, businesses and local government.

Downtown Phoenix Inc. and its membership affiliate, Phoenix Community Alliance, are committed to this vision: building a more vibrant and walkable downtown through creative placemaking and public art. The following projects are a direct product of that commitment.

Completed Public Art Projects

The Fry Building in Downtown Phoenix is one of the city’s oldest surviving buildings. It’s became home to a vibrant mural titled “It’s Another Beautiful Day in Downtown Phoenix,” in January 2022 — and like the building, it was designed to stand the test of time. The title of the mural is sentimental to many in the Downtown community: “It’s Another Beautiful Day in Downtown Phoenix” is a quote attributed to the late Hans Hughes,  a Downtown Phoenix Ambassador who was tragically killed in a bicycle accident in 2021. Located on the northwest corner of Second and Washington streets, the two-story Fry Building was built in 1885 and has served the Phoenix community as a drug store, meat market and the Plaza Boardinghouse on the upper level. The building has operated as Majerle’s Sports Grill, owned by Phoenix Suns legend Dan Majerle, for more than 25 years. The mural is bright, colorful and intricate, featuring a yellow sun at the center surrounded by a warm-toned mountain range, and a mosaic sunset sky. With a closer look you can see the Downtown Phoenix skyline, agave, corn husks and a large river that flows across the entire piece. There is also a sunflower within the mural as a special nod to Hughes, who was known for his love of nature, and support of downtown’s community gardens.

Located on the south wall of a historic two-story brick building adjacent to The Monroe tower at 111 W. Monroe Street, “Si’alik Hiosik” is a 45-foot mural by two renowned local artists — Thomas “Breeze” Marcus and Miles “El Mac” MacGregor. From the O’odham language, the title translates to “morning blossom.” Featuring El Mac’s signatures portrait style, utilizing repeating contour patterns, and Breeze’s interlocking geometric designs, the central image is a portrait of a real-life Onk Akimel O’odham girl from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Community. Spearheaded by ViaWest Group, which owns the building with joint-venture partner GEM Realty Capital, Artlink Inc. facilitated the call to artists, and the project was sponsored by the Downtown Phoenix Partnership. The mural was completed in April 2021.

Thomas “Breeze” Marcus: @breeze1phx
Miles “El Mac” MacGregor: @mac_arte

Ashley Macias’ “Lucid City” can be found on the corner of Second and Adams streets. A colorful, celebratory and personal reflection of downtown, Macias’ piece was selected through a public call to artists by the Downtown Phoenix Partnership, Artlink, and the Phoenix Convention Center. The call was inspired by the #DearDTPHX photo and caption contest, launched by DPI in August 2020.

Inspired by the work and sacrifice of frontline workers during the coronavirus pandemic, Phoenix-based artist Hugo Medina commemorated their impact through a mural at Ace Uniforms, completed in March 2021. The project was sponsored by Hugo Medina and Downtown Phoenix Inc., with support from Ace Uniforms. Located just outside downtown on 15th Street and McDowell Road — this is a business that caters to hospitality, industrial, medical and public safety workers. The central image is based on a photo of Lauren Leander, an intensive care nurse who stood up for science during anti-lockdown protests in April 2020. The other images include depictions of a grocery-store cashier, landscaper, sanitation worker, a fireman, police officer, teacher, a postal worker, and even a chef. In mid-February 2021, Medina sustained an arm injury, and the mural was completed with the help of local artists Chris Vena and Darrin Armijo-Wardle.

In 1987, a larger-than-life bronze nude male statue by artist Treavor Southey was commissioned by the Trammel Crow Company for the One Renaissance Square tower at Washington Street and Central Avenue. Fitting the title of “Full Life Reach,” the statue stands tall with arms raised, with one foot slightly “jumping” off of the base. Over the years, the downtown community nicknamed him “Bruce.” When the Renaissance tower began renovations to the exterior of the building in 2019, the Downtown Phoenix Partnership took ownership of Bruce, and relocated the statue to 111 N. First Street in February 2020.

This was the poem written on the original marble base, which didn’t survive the relocation process:

We | of humankind | hearts quickened to compassion | hope with inward vision | kindled to risk | the searching of our souls | to dare | the unexpected | to master | barb and thorn | and hear the whisper of eternity
-Trevor Southey, 1987

Located on the west side of the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel on Central Avenue is a 144-foot-mural titled “Timeless,” completed in December 2019 by graffiti artist Clyde. Each hour of the day, the mural changes as shadows are cast from the overhanging shade structure while the sun moves across the sky.

What does the key in the crystal mean? Here’s a note from the artist with a little insight:

“A girl has discovered a glass prism containing a key while wandering through a canyon. On the key is a serial number, which are actually three engraved dates. These represent each year the hotel was rebuilt (twice due to fires and once from a demolition and rebuild). At the very end of the mural after following along the canyon wall, the city of Phoenix skyline appears in the distance, begging the question, “Where will the key take the girl, and what doors will it open up for her?” — @clyde_graffitiart

This collaborative piece by Kyllan Maney and Jayarr Steiner can be found opposite Phoenix Symphony Hall on the southwest corner of Second and Adams streets. An accomplished muralist, Maney’s rainbow-like work can be seen to the left and right of Steiner’s famous “You Are Amazing” lettering and geometric shapes in the center and ceiling. Both have been involved in numerous large-scale public art projects — this was their first collaboration, completed in December 2019.

The “Giving Meters” are repurposed parking meters decorated by local artists, which allow pedestrians to donate money that will help make sustainable changes in the lives of those experiencing homelessness. Completed in July of 2019, the Giving Meters accept both change and credit cards. All of the funds go directly to supportive services, and are administered through the City of Phoenix’s C.A.R.E.S program. Championed by Councilwoman Debra Stark, the Downtown Phoenix Parthership worked with artists Lydia Quinones, Chelsi Rossi, Terri Petersen and Paige Poppe on the project.

Meter locations by artist:
Lydia Quinones: Southwest corner of First Avenue and Jefferson Street | Terri Petersen: Arizona Center | Paige Poppe: Phoenix City Hall | Chelsi Rossi: CityScape Phoenix

Fabricated by artist Doug Boyd, “Bernie the Robot” was installed on the southwest corner of First Avenue and Monroe Street in March of 2019. It took roughly a month and a half to build, about two weeks to powder coat and four hours to install.

Wonder what the robot is reading? There’s actually a story inside the book, hand-written by Doug Boyd himself. Here’s an excerpt:

Break free every now and again. Take a walk. Read a book. Or just sit here and watch the world around you. — @artfully_rogue

Click here to watch a video about the creation of the robot — and to read the full transcript.

Kyllan Maney was commissioned by the Downtown Phoenix Partnership to create this multi-part mural on the windows of a vacant storefront near the Phoenix Convention Center. Featuring colorful rainbow shapes with florid details, Maney works with aspects of nature that evoke feelings of tranquility, discovery, spirituality and awe. Maney’s mural was complimented with large planters and windchimes hanging above, adding character and a sense of whimsy to the southeast corner of First and Adams streets.

Pedal to the Metal is a bike culture-inspired art installation with a real-world, practical application. More than two dozen local artists submitted their portfolios to the Pedal to the Metal: PHX Bike Rack Project, which was spearheaded by the Downtown Phoenix Partnership, Artlink, the City of Phoenix’s Street Transportation Department and Office of Arts and Culture in December 2017. Designs by Jennyfer Stratman and Allen Wang were selected to move onto the fabrication stage in the spring of 2018, and those racks can now be seen throughout the downtown core. The design by Jennyfer Stratman features a yellow honeycomb pattern, symbolizing the community, connectivity and creativity found in an urban area. Inspired by the natural beauty of downtown’s surroundings, Allen Wang’s circular, copper-colored design includes cutouts of local Phoenix mountain ranges.

Based on a photo of Charles Debrille Poston, who is commonly referred to as the “Father of Arizona” due to his efforts lobbying for the creation of the territory. He was also the Arizona Territory’s first delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives, and known for his eccentricities. In the photo, he is standing in the middle of intersection of Second and Washington streets leading a donkey with one hand, and holding a book with the other. The historic Fry Building is in the background, which is now home to Majerle’s Sports Grill. The concept was spearheaded by Majerle’s management, and sponsored by the Downtown Phoenix Partnership. The photo was adapted for the Fry Building stairwell by artists Hugo Medina and Michele Hill, and completed in March 2018.

Completed in May 2017, the “Malinda” mural activates the alley connecting Central Avenue to First Street on the north side of the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel. Measuring approximately 70 feet high by 50 feet wide, it pays tribute to both the hotel’s legacy, which was rebuilt after a devastating fire, and the life of a historic African-American figure, Malinda “Malindy” Curtis, whose spirit is said to inhabit the alley to this day. According to local lore, Curtis loved to drink and socialize, and lived just off N. First Street where the alley is located. She was reportedly the madam of a nearby brothel and lived quite a colorful life.

The Downtown Phoenix Partnership, Arizona State University (ASU) and the I Have a Name Project helped spearhead an empty-lot activation at 372 N. First Avenue, which featured a colorful shipping container mural by local artist Andy Brown. Installed December 2016, the goal was to raise awareness about homelessness in the community, which is where Brown drew his inspiration, and is one of the core missions of the I Have a Name Project. Installed as a temporary art activation, ASU’s Downtown Residence Hall and Entrepreneurship Center broke ground on the site in 2020, and the installation is now retired.

Spanning the length of the alley behind the Regency Garage at 40 N. Second Street is a massive tribute to Latino icons known as the “Alley of the Arts.” Contributing artists include Jose Andres Giron, Roman P. Reyes, Carlos Rivas, Ramon Aguirre, Edgar Fernandez, Elizabeth Toledo, Alfred Bilducia, Noreen Ayonayon, Tavo Barrios, Angel Diaz, Karlito Espinosa, Ivan Garcia, Luis Munoz, Edgar Munoz, Raul Rodriquez, Rey Lugo and Catyana Falsetti. The project was led by the Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center (ALAC), which is located on the ground floor of the Regency Garage, with support from the Downtown Phoenix Partnership, Phoenix Convention Center, Latinos Now, Martin B. Sanchez and numerous other community members.

The Phoenix Water Writes mural on the south side of the Valley Youth Theatre was one of about a dozen projects around the world led by the Estria Foundation, focusing on cities and regions facing critical water issues. The 2,466-square-foot art piece recognizes the centrality of water to Arizona’s success, and tells the story of Phoenix’s watershed. The Estria Foundation received community support from the Black Mesa Water Coalition, Tonatierra, PUENTE, Phoenix Revitalization Corporation, Valley Youth Theatre, and the Downtown Phoenix Partnership. Sixteen artists collaborated on the mural — Jeff Slim, Angel Diaz, Kim Smith, Remy, Averian Chee, Xochitl Enrique, KEISR, Jules Badoni, Mario Alba, Sinek, Ivan Garcia, Edgar Fernandez, David Alvarez, Jeremy Fields, Ramon Aguirre and Lalo Cota. The project was completed in May 2013.

In August 2012, the Downtown Phoenix Partnership partnered with the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel to paint a series of planters. The formerly beige pots received a colorful facelift from local artists Jeff Slim and Averian Chee, inspired by Slim and Chee’s Navajo heritage. The planters were removed in June 2016 for hotel renovations that included modernizing the exterior of the building. The planters were then incorporated into a temporary vacant lot activation at 372 N. First Avenue, and remained there until the site was developed in 2020. They are now retired from downtown.