BIG changes

The former mural on the Big Brothers Big Sisters Angel Youth Center, 160 E. Alameda at Toole, was looking pretty sad. Thanks to Joe Pagac, there's a new mural:

The shadows are fun in this early-morning photo. The sun is coming from the right... but, in the mural, the light seems to be coming from the left. And click for a larger view to check the job that younger painter is doing... oops! (Use your "back" button to come back to the blog.)

Speaking of changes: I have such a big backlog of mural photos that I'm going to try to post three times a week. Please stay tuned...

Murals being made, part 6 (more tomorrow!)

Rock Martinez worked outside Posner's Art Store (1025 N. Park) for maybe five hours yesterday afternoon... with some help from his brother. Other artists, fans, and friends stopped by. Here's a design (pasted over a photo of the storefront) that shows roughly where he's aiming:

The scene not long after I got there at 2 PM:

And at 5:45:

Rock said he wasn't planning to work today, but he'll be back on Monday. Stop by then if you can!

Update (July 12, 2011): The mural is done.

Weathered fence on First

Let's head back to the archives for this shot (November 23, 2010) of a weathered fence around the home at 1715 North 1st Avenue:

The fence was on the shady side, on a dark day. To make the faded mural easier to see, I brightened the fence (using the Intelligent Scissors selection tool, then adjusting each color Curve for the fence) in the great free GIMP editor.

Click on the photo if you'd like a closer look (and use your browser's "back" button to come back to the blog).

Barrio Centro mural unveiling

Yesterday evening was the celebration of the Barrio Centro mural, on the long wall next to the Lucky Wishbone store at 2712 E. 22nd. (There are earlier photos in Murals being made, part 1.)

After speeches and introductions, it was time for the paper to come off:

On the left side of the next photo, in the white hat, is Michael Schwartz, Executive Director of the Tucson Arts Brigade and Lead Artist/Educator for the project:

After the unveiling and lots of chit-chat, it was time to line up for food — from Lucky Wishbone, of course:

You can read more on the Barrio Centro Neighborhood blog, in the Tucson Citizen article Barrio Centro Community Mural Unveiling on June 18, and in the blog Barrio Centro Neighborhood Mural.

Two mural-paintings June 25

Saturday, June 25, are back-to-back mural painting sessions near downtown.

From noon to 2 PM, Joe Pagac will donate his time to paint a mural on the side of the Big Brothers Big Sisters building at 160 E. Alameda (corner with Toole). If you've seen the deteriorating mural there now, you know what good news this is! For more info, call (520)624-2447.

From 2 to 6:30 PM, Rock Martinez (owner of Art Terrain gallery and urban art supply on 4th Avenue) will be painting Posner's Art Store at 1025 North Park.

Wildcat School from Warren V.

Warren V has been sending us great mural photos for several years now. Here are the latest. He writes:

“...a really nice sonoran desert themed mural in the alley west of the Wildcat Charter School, facing and visible from Stone (corner of Stone & Drachman). The wildcat logo mural is on the E. Adams street side of the school.”


Thanks, as always, Warren.

Update: On 06 May 2014, the Tucson Daily Photo blog showed photos of the mural behind fencing. The Wildcat School is closing.

Update (January 23, 2016): David Aber sent a new photo (below) and wrote: “Here’s what the mural looks like with the fence down. The best view is behind the Eegees at Stone and Drachman.”

(As always, you can click for a larger view.)

Tucson Murals, 1990

Tucson author Tom Miller sent a link to an article he wrote for the New York Times, March 4, 1990: The Bold Murals Of Tucson's Streets. It's a great slice-of-life story with details on some murals that are still in town.

Thanks, Tom!

Happy Rooster (and other critters)

Here are three from Warren V: the Happy Rooster Cafe at 1114 South Sarnoff Drive.



Thanks as always, Warren!

Update (July 23, 2011): Howard Rains just sent a fourth shot: the trash dumpster behind the restaurant. It's another great photo from a fun mural spot...


Update (December 3, 2018): Today's Cactus Catz blog entry has two more photos: Monday mural: Happy Rooster Cafe, Tucson, Arizona.

Tucson Murals Project Makes the News!

Enjoy this article about the Tucson Murals Project and mark your calendars to meet Jerry Peek!

Wings Over Broadway

Howard Rains spotted this mural on the east wall of Wings Over Broadway, 5004 E. Broadway — just west of Rosemont, the side toward Jerry Bob's. Thanks, Howard!

It looks like part of the mural was either never finished or was painted over (maybe to cover those yellow lines — could they be tags?). If you know the story, or if you've seen the mural without the gray paint, please either leave a comment below or send email to Randy or me.

So Fine on South Vine

Thanks to Warren V for sending this photo of a mural in an out-of-the-way spot:

Warren wrote “I spotted it today (June 1, 2011) on a warehouse located across the street from Roma Imports 627 S. Vine. I'm not sure of the actual address of the warehouse.’

Thanks again to Warren and everyone else (including you?!) who send photos of mural discoveries. Even though I have another 150 or 200 that I haven't had time to post yet, we're always glad to have more.

Mural for sale (house included)

Looking for a home? This one, at 1911 N. Craycroft (on the northwest corner with Linden), comes complete with a mural on the east wall:

The mural looks like a fixer-upper. (As always, you can click on the photo for a bigger view. Use your browser's "Back" button to come back.)