The Inaugural Desert Ridge Mural Project Presents Evolving Creative Placemaking Experience for Summer Season

A dynamic partnership between Arizona Business Committee for the Arts (AZBCA) and Desert Ridge Marketplace providing local and interactive arts experiences

The Arizona Business Committee for the Arts (AZBCA) and Vestar Properties team up for another arts integration in Phoenix to transform the Desert Ridge Marketplace into a living public art gallery. The series will provide opportunities for local artists and the public to interact in an unfolding arts experience that changes the face of the shopping center.

Over the course of 12 weeks, 12 talented artists will create unique murals throughout The District. Each weekend a different artist will paint live, creating a new work of art for guests to enjoy. Visit The District each week and snap a photo of the newest backdrop – capture all 12!

Visitors will have the opportunity to interact with the artists themselves - and in many cases the artwork itself - as they create their original murals for the public. Desert Ridge will capture the talents of local artists to in this immersive experience.

The first round of artists include:

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. 

Stay tuned for the next round of artists, inspirations and locations!

Official event hashtag: #DRMMuralProject

Note to Media: Photos available.