New Public Art Project for Oro Valley inspired by the community, to be built by local students in July 2018

Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance, the Pima Association of Governments and Town of Oro Valley provide a unique opportunity for youth to earn income, mentorship and gain artistic experience.

Teens from throughout Oro Valley are collaborating to create a large integrated public art installation with the goal of envisioning a healthy and vibrant Town, community and neighborhood. The project is funded by the Pima Association of Governments, who designed the program in 1995 with a goal to provide youth with an opportunity to be employed and participate in all phases of the design and installation of public artwork under the guidance of a professional artist. Additional program collaborators include the Town of Oro Valley Parks and the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance.
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The project will give teens an opportunity to design and produce artwork in a public transportation setting. The students, guided by selected artist administrators, will work for an eight-week period during summer break from school, May – July 2018.
The new installation will be integrated into the entrance to the Oro Valley Community Center, located at 105555 N. La Cañada Drive. The students were challenged to brainstorm of ways they could incorporate themes of community discovery, community, multi-generational diversity, connectedness, wellness, engaged, active, and health. Two teaching artists were selected to help guide the students during the process. Under the direction and mentorship of artists, Hiro Tashima and Jason Butler, the 10-selected local high school students have designed and constructed a Public Art installation which was inspired by, and incorporated many of the structured themes. The artists and students will work in the materials of hand molded clay and mosaic, as well as welded steel and paint, as a basis for the art installation. The piece will create a unique identity for the Community Center entrance, tying together themes of multi-generational diversity, community connectedness, wellness, engagement, activity, health, public recreation, and transportation.
 
“From our national awards to our 1% for Public Art Program, arts and culture are part of the fabric of Oro Valley,” said Mayor Satish I. Hiremath. “So the opportunity to engage our youth in the arts aligns with our community’s values. It is especially exciting to see this project unfold right here at the Oro Valley Community Center, where more than 500 patrons a day will get to enjoy this new installation.”

The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance, in partnership with the Town of Oro Valley and Pima Association of Governments (PAG), oversees the Summer Youth Art Project in Oro Valley. Under the direction and mentorship of selected Teaching Artist Supervisors, local high school and middle school students will design and construct some Public Art installation every three years at a transportation related site.

Pima Association of Governments manages the Transportation Art by Youth program, which incorporates art into regional transportation projects. The program allows youth to acquire both artistic experience and develop a valuable work ethic.
Established in 1995 the Transportation Art by Youth program provides opportunities to approximately 50 high school age students across the country. The students' concepts and techniques are aimed at humanizing the roadway system, enhancing urban gateway features, and helping define the unique identity of their respective communities. Major benefits of the program include both the quick and effective implementation time frame as well as the high visibility of resulting artwork along major transportation corridors. There also is a strong sense of community pride in the work efforts undertaken, coupled with a sense of accomplishment for the youth involved since the result of their artistic efforts will be appreciated and endured for many years to come.

An unveiling and ribbon cutting ceremony will be hosted for the new exhibition on Tuesday, July 31st at 10:30 AM at the Oro Valley Community Center entrance, located at 10555 North La Cañada Drive, Oro Valley, AZ 85737. All attendees should park in the Oro Valley Community Center parking lot. The ceremony will be held on the west side of the intersection.
 
PAG Transportation Art by Youth Program - Summer Youth Arts Project 2018 in Oro Valley
Webpage: https://www.saaca.org/syap.html
Email: matt@saaca.org
Phone: (520) 797-3959 x 108
 
NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos available

Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance
The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a not-for-profit organization that exists to ensure that, through engagement in arts and culture, our communities produce strong, inspired citizens. SAACA enlists artists, businesses, governments, and individuals to expand artistic and cultural opportunities in their respective communities. To enhance access to the arts and to promote cultural awareness in the communities it serves, SAACA presents large-scale festivals, events and other programs. The Alliance also promotes educational opportunities in the arts and culture for both the young and the old.