The boulevard that was once deemed “the ugliest street in America” by LIFE magazine in 1970 now has six new murals. They're on the walls that protect pedestrians from falling onto the Speedway underpasses near the University of Arizona. They were finished by the end of March, 2024. Allison Miller of Alley Cat murals had the idea for years, but it took lots of preparation and fundraising. (For example: It turned out that the walls themselves are owned by the City of Tucson, but the “wings” extending back from the ends of the walls are owned by the UA!) Here's a map, with thanks to Melissa Goodrich at the UArizona Poetry Center. Click to enlarge:
In coordination with the UA's Poetry Center, the murals are all based on poems — one a hip-hop song. There's lots more information at the end of the post, but let's see the murals!
As always, you can click on a mural for a slideshow of larger views.
Each artist's section below finishes with a personal interview from the UA Poetry Center's blog. At the end of this post are links to more information.
Allison Miller (Southeast)
Allison Miller (including photos of her previous stingray mural):
We marked up walls: Interviewing the Speedway Muralists (April 8, 2024). Stingray mural info, and a closeup photo, from this blog:
Stingray on Speedway (August 04, 2016).
Monique Laraway (Northeast)
Monique Laraway: Bring Art to the Masses: Interviewing the Speedway Muralists (April 1, 2024)
Alex Fass (South central)
Alex Fass: it's raw, it's real, it's what I feel: Interviewing the Speedway Muralists (May 13, 2024)
Sasha Lewis (North central)
Sasha Lewis: Bright blocks of colors and bold lines: Interviewing the Speedway Muralists (April 15, 2024)
Jodie Lewers Chertudi (Northwest)
Jodie Lewers Chertudi: A world without art is so boring: Interviewing the Speedway Muralists (April 29, 2024)
Jodie's painting partner was Miguel Flores.
Jenna Tomasello (Southwest)
The people are cold. The people are hungry.
The rich have stolen the land.
The rich have stolen freedom.
The people scream.
Jenna Tomasello: Art Without an Access Barrier: Interviewing the Speedway Muralists (May 6, 2024)
More about the project
The project has gotten lots of attention, including:
The “Location” address below is close to the North central mural by Sasha Lewis, which is where Highland Avenue crosses under Speedway. (As always, you can click there for a Google Map.) This mural is close to the UA Poetry Center, which helped coordinate the project; its address is 1508 E. Helen Street.
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