Phoenix will unveil new art installations at public parks across the city in coming months. The structures are not just art pieces – they’re also meant to create shade to keep park visitors cool.
In total, nine city parks will feature installations. At Cielito park, Oaxacan-style folk art animals will hold up a huge awning with a solar-powered mist system. Sereno park visitors will be able to relax under the shade of 200 quilts made from recycled clothing. An installation at Eastlake park will draw inspiration from ancient Chinese shadow puppets.
The ¡Sombra! project is funded by a $1 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies meant to challenge cities and artists to address important local issues – in Phoenix’s case, the focus is on extreme heat.
“It's our way to work on tackling heat mitigation using the arts,” said Mitch Menchaca, Arts and Culture director for Phoenix. “Our public art collection includes several shade features – bus shelters, poles with awnings over them, done very artistically. But this allows us to be able to utilize different kinds of materials and work with artists that we wouldn't be able to.”
A panel including members of Phoenix’s Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, the Office of Innovation, the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture as well as local artists selected the nine artists from more than 80 submissions last year.
The nine installations will be unveiled in celebration events taking place April through June.
“We wanted to be able to celebrate each project individually. All of the projects are very different and so all of the events will be different as well,” said Phoenix Arts and Culture deputy director Carrie Brown. “You can come celebrate, meet the artists, enjoy some food, enjoy the shade and really experience these projects and how they're affecting and mitigating heat.”
After they’re unveiled, the art pieces will be on display through September, with a closing festival at Steele Indian School on Sept. 20. But Brown said some pieces may become permanent.
THE BURROW by Josie Davis and Jenny Boehme
Roesley Park, 4205 S. 15th Ave. Unveiling event on April 26.
CHINESE CHORIZO by Feng-Feng Yeh
Eastlake Park, 1549 E. Jefferson St. Unveiling event on May 3.
BOTANICAL CANOPY by Bobby Zokaites
Cortez Park, 3434 W. Dunlap Ave. Unveiling event on May 3.
RINCÓN DE COLOR by Jose Benavides and Joe Ray
Cielito Park, 3402 W. Campbell Ave. Unveiling event on April 19.
STANDING WAVE by Shomit Barua
Los Olivos Park, 2802 E. Devonshire Ave. Unveiling event on May 10.
SHADES OF RESILIENCE by AZ(LAND)
Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Rd. Unveiling event on May 10.
REFLECTIONS ON SUNNYSLOPE by Jessica Arias
Sunnyslope Park, 802 E. Vogel Ave. Unveiling event May on 17.
QUILT ARCHITECTURE by Luke Haynes
Sereno Park, 5720 E. Sweetwater Ave. Unveiling event on June 7.
NANA'S GARDEN by Kira Dominguez-Hultgren
Maryvale Park, 4420 N. 51st Ave. Unveiling event on June 8.
