Desert Ridge Mural Project
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Free Admission
There is no cost to attend the art festival.
Event Partners |
LocationDesert Ridge Marketplace
21001 N Tatum Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85050 Set in a striking outdoor setting, Desert Ridge Marketplace features premier shopping, chef driven restaurants, health and fitness inspired options and entertainment for every occasion. Experience upgraded amenities and immerse yourself in a collection of destinations. Conveniently located in Phoenix, Arizona just North of the Loop 101 on Tatum Boulevard. Come experience Desert Ridge Marketplace. Where Life Happens. |
Get Involved
2018 Participating Artists
June 2 - 3 | Rita Goldner, Scottsdale, AZ | painting near Justice
Inspiration – Desert scene with a desert ridge in the foreground and water to provide a cooling effect About the Artist: Rita Goldner received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in Art Education from Rhode Island College. She joined the Navy after college and was able to absorb a wealth of artistic inspirations while traveling to exotic places around the world. She paints almost exclusively in plein air, and experiments with a variety of media. She teaches workshops on plein air painting and a monthly volunteer art class for veterans. |
June 9 - 10 | Melody Smith, Chandler, AZ | painting near The Splash Pad
Inspiration – Stained glass designed to be fun with big, bold colors About the Artist: Growing up in Los Angeles, traveling the world and soaking up the local culture has influenced Melody’s art style. She defines her art as “Contemporary Urban Eclectic” – a mix of modern pop art and urban designs in acrylics. She tends to put a modern flare on urban trends incorporating graffiti, tattoo, folk art and city dwellings. Her art is known for its brilliant colors and whimsical interpretations. |
June 16 - 17 | Gina Ribaudo, Mesa, AZ | painting near American Eagle Outfitters
Inspiration – Colors and expressive strokes are used to create a piece with depth and dimension allowing the viewer to become a part of the scene About the Artist: I am a self-taught artist. I started painting in my friends and families children’s rooms 25 years ago. I have owned my own mural business for 25 years, originally in Seattle and moved to Arizona 18 years ago. I specialize in interior and exterior murals. I am also a fine artist, portrait artist and live painter. I absolutely love my job. I get to bring my clients imaginations to life with my mural creations in their homes and businesses and entertain the public with my live painting. Portrait art with vibrant expressive brushstrokes is my real love where I feel I can truly show my style. |
June 30 - July 1 | Michael Schwartz, Tucson, AZ
Inspiration – Fusion of technology, architecture and social space using energy sources, reflective light, translucent and solid areas. About the Artist: From the jungles of northern Guatemala, to Jamaica, Canada and the neighborhoods of the USA, muralist Michael B Schwartz has been masterfully sharing the joy of creative place-making for over a quarter century. A graduate of the Tyler School of Art with a MFA from the University of Arizona School of Art, he has worked with many organizations, including the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program and Tucson Arts Brigade. In May 2009, he joined community-arts leaders at the White House for a historic dialogue about the role of arts in natural recovery. His many awards include the Puffin Foundation and Art Matters Fellowships. His recent murals include works for the U at Park, Sister Jose Women’s Shelter and the Monsoon Gallery in downtown Tucson. |
July 7 - 8 | Victor Navarro, Tucson, AZ
Inspiration - Colorful, full of movement showcasing imagery drawn from my Hispanic heritage and culture About the Artist - Capturing his overpowering artist expressions has been Victor Navarro’s passion since the age of 15. Since moving to the United States from Guadalajara, Mexico in 1998, Victor nurtured his artistic inspiration which soon became an obsession. Graduating from The University of Arizona with his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and having received his Masters Degree (M.Ed) from Northern Arizona University, Navarro seized art teaching opportunities at various institutions, such as Pima County College, Tucson Parks & Recreation and Splendido. Creating and promoting his artwork has been Navarro’s objective; nonetheless he contributes to the promotion of the Fine Arts by partaking in artistic events, fundraisers and other community engagement opportunities for the benefit of his peers. Victor Navarro has received various awards, including the Silver Medal from Paris’ International Academy of Lutece. Navarro has received recognitions from the Societe Nationales des Beaux Arts and the European Center for the Promotion of Arts and Literature. At 19, Navarro was one of the youngest artists to be invited to exhibit his artwork at the famed Louvre in Paris, under the salon “Carrousel du Louvre.” Additional recognition along with prizes have continued to follow from Art Communities in the United States as well as France. |
July 13 - 15 | Art by Eli, Phoenix, AZ
Inspiration - Clear blue water and colorful ecosystems that transport viewers to an underwater oasis About the Artist - Anthony Farias, better known by his art moniker "Eli", was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. His passion and love for the desert first led him to art. Eli drew much early inspiration from the natural world including weather patterns, the landscape and animals for his art. He usually works in paint, however he enjoys trying out new mediums and processes. In describing his artistic motive, he writes, “It is my hope to give back to this world what it has given me...inspiration”. |
August 3 - 5 | Ignacio, Tucson, AZ | painting across from AT&T near The Splash Pad
Inspiration – Frida Khalo, a historic artist who inspired many with her life and surrealism. My hope is to encourage people to find their inner passion, to be creative and enjoy the fun elements of art. https://www.instagram.com/azchalkguy/ About the Artist – Jose Ignacio Garcia has painted murals across the West Coast - from San Francisco to Los Angeles, from Phoenix to Tucson - since 2003. He studied at the East Valley Institute of Technology in Mesa, AA and the Gnoman Workshop in Hollywood, CA. |
August 10 - 12 | Carolyn Watson Dubisch, Phoenix, AZ | painting across from AT&T near The Splash Pad
Inspiration - A month long journey to Ireland exploring the grounds of the Shankill Castle that led to the creation of a book of fairies and dragons. http://carolynsart.tumblr.com About the Artist - Carolyn Watson Dubisch is an artist, illustrator, sculptor and author. In her years as a professional artist, she’s created giant vegetables for a Washington DC Museum, helped create two dozen tiny hot air balloons for a Vegas show and designed alien bird-men for Star Wars games. Her work is in private collections on three continents, she has exhibited all over the United States, in the Czech Republic, Morocco, Mexico, Russia, Turkey, The U.K., Germany, Italy, Spain, Argentina and is part of the permanent collection of The Aswara Art Gallery in Malaysia and The Arthouse at Green Olive Arts, Morocco. She crafted 19 puppets for a theater production in Bariloche, Argentina and has created murals in Phoenix, Tucson, San Diego, and Florida. A writer and illustrator for numerous children’s books and magazines including Highlights for Children and Hopscotch, she also writes and draws award winning web-comics. Find her newest children's book, "The Hiccup Monster" from Fuzzy Belly Books in Canada. In the last year she completed a large sculptural installation called “Night Over Tetouan” at the Arthouse for Green Olive Arts in Tétouan, Morocco. The display had packed viewing audiences for the over a week and was used as a background for a fashion photo shoot, and is now reopening at a new location, Colegio Nuestra Señora del Pilar, in Tétouan. Her hand crafted masks will be in the upcoming season of “Crazy Ex- Girlfriend”, in a Hulu pilot starring Sean Penn and in the independent film “The Tourist”, all to be released in 2018. |
August 17-19 | Lucretia Torva, Phoenix, AZ | painting across from The District Stage & Dave & Buster’s
Inspiration - A 3D pop art mural filled with bright colors that will feel like they are literally popping off the glass! www.torvafineart.com About the Artist- Lucretia Torva has been living and working in Phoenix for just over 20 years and became a self-employed painter in 2000, doing all kinds of decorative painting including murals, both inside and outdoors. She received her MFA from University of Illinois in the early 80's and has been painting and drawing ever since. Born in Peoria IL, she has lived on the East Coast, Midwest and northern Arizona. She grew up in Europe and has traveled a lot as an adult. She is best known for her images of cars and shiny objects. She has painted several large murals in downtown Phoenix and loves painting big! |
August 24-26 | Kid Murals by Dana, Scottsdale, AZ | Location TBD
Inspiration - Bright and colorful vision of Arizona www.kidmuralsbydana.com About the Artist – A teacher, muralist, and artist, my work can be seen throughout the valley, in both homes and public walls. Entering the “real world” to become a teacher, I wasn't sure if I was looking for ways to practice my craft...or if the projects found me. After living with the school’s blank library walls, I created an inspiring and whimsical mural. I quickly received such positive feedback that I was inspired to turn this hobby into my career. Over the years, I have had the pleasure of painting murals for large commercial projects, as wells as the rooms of lots of lucky children. Being a Muralist, I feel privileged to connect with people on a more personal level than many have the chance to. With every job, I work closely with my clients to create the look they desire, regardless of budget or personal style. Because I am entrusted with something as important as a child’s room, I pay attention to every last detail as if I were the client – because I expect the best. As an artist, I enjoy bringing my clients’ ideas and tastes to life with my own vibrant, imaginative style. I can transform a wall or an entire room into enchanting princess quarters, Gotham City, a fantasy garden, a beach scene, Pokémon - themed space or a serene nursery. |
August 25-26 | Wesley Fawcett Creigh, Tucson, AZ | painting next to Journeys
Inspiration - Interactive mural that celebrates community and the Sonoran Desert. The community is invited to participate and help create this “Paint-by-Number” mural. www.wesleyfawcettcreigh.com About the Artist - Wesley Fawcett Creigh lives and works in Tucson, Arizona. In 2008 she completed her Bachelor’s Degree at Prescott College in the self-designed major of Public Art with an Emphasis on Social Impact. Since this time she has produced artworks as an individual, as a member of artist collectives, and as a scenic designer for performance collaborations. Her work has been shown throughout the Southwest and Mexico including MOCA Tucson and el Museo de Arte de Nogales. She has been awarded grants and residencies from organizations such as the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona, The Puffin Foundation, Arizona Commission on the Arts, Springboard for the Arts, and the Santa Fe Art Institute. |
September 1 - 3 | Kyllan Maney, Phoenix, AZ | painting across from Justice
Inspiration – An interactive tribute created with positive color and light energy in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness month in conjunction with Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Instagram: www.instagram.com/kyllanmaney, Web: www.kyllanmaney.com About the Artist - Kyllan Maney's work is inspired by patterns found in nature, scientific illustrations, maps and human relationships. She enjoys the inventive, creative process of working with community creative placemaking projects, large scale murals, and mixed media. Kyllan shows her work at Art One Gallery and Mesa Arts Center Cooperative Gallery. She has been a part of numerous mural projects including MonOrchid, Paypal, Downtown Phoenix, Mesa Arts Center, Danelle Plaza, City of Chandler, Art Place America, Mesa Public Library, Mesa Urban Garden, and New School for the Arts and Academics. Kyllan also collaborates on community art projects across the valley the throughout the year. Along with her professional artist career, Kyllan has been teaching painting and mixed media for sixteen years at New School for the Arts and Academics where she has serves as the Visual Arts Department Chair. |
Festival Tips
Parking is available free of charge at the shopping center. If you are an emerging artist or professional artist and would like to get involved in the festival, complete the application for participation.