Sahuarita Lake Park – Sahuarita, Arizona
Artist: Tony Plak (Antonio Lucero) Completed January 2024 Theme: Sahuarita Landscape and Wildlife Mural painted on Brick Artist Statement: "Families are a pillar of our society and community. In this mural, I seek to create, through art, a pleasant view for the eyes in a space visited by families of the community of Sahuarita. In this popular park, besides having a nice time, I hope to remind visitors to remember the the lake, the Sahuarita wildlife, and surrounding landscape." Antonio Lucero, better known as Tony Plak – is a Nogales-based muralist known locally for his large-scale colorful desert landscapes. The new large-format mural on a Sahuarita Lake Park building, “Blue Quails in the Desert”, was painted during the second annual “Art on the Lake” festival in January. The mural depicts the desert landscape in a colorful, bold style. Community members were invited to pick up a paintbrush and contribute to the mural during the annual art festival. You can view more of this artist’s work on Instagram @TonyPlak. |
Quail Creek Veterans Memorial Park - Sahuarita, Arizona
Artist: Jessica Gonzales Completed May 2023 Theme: Veterans in Memory Recycled street signs, 3D Mural The veteran-themed installation “Fragments of Fortitude” by Jessica Gonzales assisted by Dakin Martin pays tribute to the service members of the six branches of the military. The stunning 3D installation is constructed out of recycled public works signs and is 30 ‘ wide, 10’ tall and 10’ deep. Local residents contributed over 50 stories, family photos, and memories to be incorporated as inspiration for the mural design. |
Sahuarita Lake Park Amphitheatre – Sahuarita, Arizona
Artist: Tony Plak (Antonio Lucero) Completed January 2023 Theme: Sahuarita Landscape and Colors Mural painted with epoxy paint on cement Antonio Lucero, better known as Tony Plak – is a Nogales-based muralist known locally for his large-scale colorful desert landscapes. The new large-format ground mural, “The Big Saguaros”, is painted with epoxy paint on the cement was installed to coincide with the inaugural “Art on the Lake” festival in January. The mural depicts the desert landscape in a colorful, bold style and will be refreshed and updated each year for the festival with new additions. You can view more of this artist’s work on Instagram @TonyPlak. |
Anamax Park Community Garden - Sahuarita, Arizona
Artist: Alex Heveri Completed March 2023 Theme: Migratory Butterflies in Sahuarita Sculpture Made of Steel, Glass and Epoxy "Eastern Tiger Swallowtail in Flight" is a steel, glass and epoxy sculpture designed for the pollinator garden at Anamax Park in Sahuarita. The sculpture acts as a landmark to welcome community members to the park, including the migratory butterflies that pass through Sahuarita each year. The new pollinator garden at Anamax Park serves as a stopping point for many migratory butterflies including the Monarch. and Swallowtail Butterflies. This sculptures is inspired by the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. |
Artist: Paul Orzech
Completed June 2022 Theme: Interaction with Wildlife and the Outdoors Sculpture Made of Cast Silicon Bronze Artist Statement: "Bird Watching" is a whimsical art work for a children’s playground at North Santa Cruz community park. The coyote is an avid, but challenged, bird watcher. The roadrunner is having a fun time taking advantage of the coyote. Location: North Santa Cruz Park 14455 S Rancho Sahuarita Blvd, Sahuarita, AZ 85629 Measurements: Sculpture is 16" × 19" × 54" inches on a 3 foot tall pedestal. |
Artist: Alex Heveri
Completed May 2022 Theme: Light and Colors of Sahuarita Lake Sculpture Made of Steel, Glass and Epoxy Artist Statement: "Colors of Sahuarita" is a abstract steel, glass and epoxy sculpture designed for the pedestrian bridge at Sahuarita Lake Park. The sculpture acts as a sentry to welcome community members to the park. The lake is a popular cycling, recreation, and walking destination, so I wanted to capture the colors seen at the lake during different times of day. Location: Sahuarita Lake Park – 15466 S Rancho Sahuarita Blvd, Sahuarita, AZ 85629 Measurements: Sculpture is 8' tall × 14" wide |
Artist: Jessica Gonzales
Completed January, 2021 Theme: Interactive Puzzle Mural exploring land, agriculture, indigenous peoples, and our connection to history. Artist Statement: "Woven Bonds We've Grown Upon" is a representation of the relationships between land, agriculture, and indigenous peoples, and how these relationships connect historic Sahuarita to modern times. This idea is presented visually by references to each of these elements, and conceptually by creating an interactive puzzle mural that merges together and links each piece to one another, creating a cohesive image that represents the land, history, and culture of this region. The piece features the Santa Rita mountains, water pattern to reference the Santa Cruz river, corn, agave, sahuaros, a pecan branch, and native bird feathers. The subject of the mural, Lydia Jennings, who is enrolled Yaqui and Huichol, is an outdoor advocate and a soil microbiologist studying ways to reclaim or heal the Sonoran Desert, while learning about Indigenous food systems. Location: Parque Los Arroyos – North Side of the Park 18225 S. Avenida Arroyo Seco Sahuarita, AZ 85614 Measurements: 230 square feet –23' length x 10' height painted on recycled metal street signs |
Artist: Alexandra Jimenez
Completed December, 2020 Theme: 360 degree wraparound mural depicting the life cycle of the endangered Chiricahua Leopard Frog Artist Statement: This mural features a water scene detailing the life cycle of an endangered amphibian, the Chiricahua Leopard Frog. The frog has a striking appearance, featuring bold greens and black spots, and is found in riparian areas in the Southwest and locally in the San Pedro River Basin riparian area. Their habitat is continually under threat as they need permanent water sources to thrive and reproduce, a scarcity as water is siphoned away. It is fitting that a mural depicting a water dwelling animal would surround the lavatories because we use water with each flush. As co-inhabitants of the desert, it is important that we all consider our impact and public parks allow us to interact with our environments in meaningful ways. I hope this mural will inform the public about the Chiricahua Leopard Frog and educate people on the metamorphic life cycles. The mural takes advantage of the circular nature of the bathroom building as the painted water will flow around the building with frogs leaping in and out of the water. Location: North Santa Cruz Park 14455 S Rancho Sahuarita Blvd, Sahuarita, AZ 85629 Measurements: 133 square feet – Width 19’ x Height 7’8” – Stucco on Concrete |
Artist: Victor Navarro
Completed November, 2020 Mural Theme: Dreamlike Desert Wildlife and Landscape seen near Sahuarita in Southwestern Colors Artist Statement: Inspired in the natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert, this mural is a dreamlike interpretation of the harmony that the desert shares. Vivid and candied oranges and pinks; warm up the scene mirroring the unique sunsets that are unique to our environment. Nature aspects are introduced with a variety of cacti and desert critters giving life to the abstracted landscape. Location: North Santa Cruz Park 14455 S Rancho Sahuarita Blvd, Sahuarita, AZ 85629 Approximate Size: 133 square feet – Width 19’ x Height 7’8” – Painted Metal MUSCO Cabinet |
Artist: Wagon Burner Arts
(Sawaki, Ricky Bush, Carlos Valencia, Maira Escalante) Completed: October 2020 Theme: Dark Sky Inspired Mural Depicting the Phases of the Moon Artist Statement: This concept takes inspiration from the land(s) surrounding the Sahuarita community. The lack of light pollution in Sahuarita allows for the dark nights. Layers of silhouettes depict the landscape of local vegetation. It was suiting that this was highlighted. The moon phases in this piece is a representation of the changes we all face on a daily basis Location: Anamax Park – Concession Building 17501 S. Camino De Las Quintas Sahuarita, AZ 85629 Measurements: 145 square feet - 14’8” width x 9’10” height - West Facing Cinder Block Wall |
Artist: Wagon Burner Arts
(Sawaki, Ricky Bush, Carlos Valencia, Maira Escalante) Completed: October 2020 Theme: Hummingbirds (Semalulukut) are considered special messengers to the Yaqui people Artist Statement: The Inspiration behind this piece was to remember where you come from and the lessons taught to you. Semalulukut is the Yaqui word for hummingbird, which are known to be messengers. We have all seen them flying at some point or another. To a member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, seeing one of these amazing birds is a magical sight. Don't ever take the small things in life for granted. Location: Anamax Park – Concession Building 17501 S. Camino De Las Quintas Sahuarita, AZ 85629 Measurements: 200 square feet – 20’2” width x 9’10” height - North facing Cinder Block Wall |
Artist: Wagon Burner Arts
(Sawaki, Ricky Bush, Carlos Valencia, Maira Escalante) Completed: October 2020 Theme: Interactive Selfie Wall with Lunar Moth and Wild Cacti Flowers Artist Statement: We are living in the days of selfies, as we all know. We wanted to create an interactive wall for selfies while staying close to the environment of the surrounding area. The flowers depicted are found locally growing on wild cacti. These beautiful flowers however are all protected by sharp rigid thorns of the cactus. These thorns are known to the native community as ‘Indigenous land protectors’ Location: Anamax Park – Concession Building 17501 S. Camino De Las Quintas Sahuarita, AZ 85629 Measurements: 200 square feet – 20’2” width x 9’10” height - South facing Cinder Block Wall |
Artist: Wagon Burner Arts
(Sawaki, Ricky Bush, Carlos Valencia, Maira Escalante) Completed: October 2020 Theme: Mandala influenced design surrounding a bright Sonoran Sunset Artist Statement: From all around these sunsets are well known for the beautiful display of colors. It was important that this sunset was the center for this wall. The intricate mandala influence design as a border for this mural is added to complement the landscape. Location: Anamax Park – Concession Building 17501 S. Camino De Las Quintas Sahuarita, AZ 85629 Measurements: 103 square feet - 14’8” width x 7’ height - East Facing Cinder Block Wall |
Artist: Wagon Burner Arts
(Sawaki, Ricky Bush, Carlos Valencia, Maira Escalante) Completed: November 2020 Theme: Colorful Animals and Flowers native to the lands of Pascua Yaqui and Tohono O'odham tribes and Sahuarita Artist Statement: Wind Rhythm is rooted to the lands of the people. The animals included in this seating wall are a coyote, hummingbird, tortoise, javelina and a quail. All are native to the land of the Pascua Yaqui & Tohono O'odham tribes including Sahuarita and the surrounding geographic location. The flowers in this piece are all also found locally. The background filigree design is a representation of the winds of the desert. The wind encompasses everything and everyone. These are indigenous lessons passed down to us by our elders. Location: Quail Creek Veterans Municipal Park - Seating Wall 1905 N Old Nogales Hwy, Sahuarita, AZ 85629 Measurements: 420 square feet - 167’ length and 2’6” height – Stucco on Brick Seating Wall |
Artist: Alonso Delgadillo
Completed May 2020 Mural Theme: Migratory Birds in an abstract style and colors observed around the Sahuarita Lake Park. Location: Sahuarita Lake Park – Amphitheater Seat Wall South End of 15466 S Rancho Sahuarita Blvd, Sahuarita, AZ 85629 Measurements: 198’ square feet - 66’ length x 2.2’ height (low end) and 3.9’ height (tall end) - painted stucco w/concrete cap |
Artist: Isaac Caruso
Completed November 2020 One page of a whimsical 43 page children’s book illustrated entirely with street art Location: Anamax Park – Recreation Building on West side of Park 17501 S. Camino De Las Quintas Sahuarita, AZ 85629 Measurements: 108 square feet - 18’ length x 9’ height – Wood Paneling on Recreation Building Artist Statement: “Sam and Sara” is an ambitious 43 page children's book created by muralist Isaac Caruso and illustrated entirely with street art. The murals, spanning walls across Arizona, collectively tell a story of the power of imagination to transport viewers and readers to a magical place of wonder, reflected in the fact that the more than 40 murals are located in more than 30 different cities and towns. Viewers are encouraged to fill in the story, and visit as many as they can. Caruso’s murals and art have been displayed at Coachella, the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. and around the world, from the barrios of Uruguay, to the icey fjords of Svalbard in the Arctic Ocean. |
Artist: Alex Jimenez
Completed May 2020 Mural Theme: Gila Monster in two different styles and sunset colors observed on the Santa Rita Mountains, Location: Wrightson Ridge Park - MUSCO Cabinet 16325 S Rancho Sahuarita Blvd, Sahuarita, AZ 85629 Measurements: 214 square feet: West side 12’x 7.5’; East side 10.5’ x 7.5’; Sides width 3’ - Metal |
Artist: Alejandra Trujillo
Completed May 2020 Mural Theme: Sahuarita Selfie Spot with Monarch Butterflies, Desert Tortoise, Pecan Grove, and Quail Family Location: Sahuarita Lake Park – Boat Access Storage Door, North End of 15466 S Rancho Sahuarita Blvd, Sahuarita, AZ 85629 Measurements: 103 square feet - 12’ x 8.7’ (Metal) |
Artist: Wesley Fawcett Creigh
Completed November 2019 Hand-painted astronomy themed mural wrapping the entire box featuring galaxies, the Whipple Observatory, and starry cosmos background. Location: Anamax Park (North Side of Park) 17501 S. Camino De Las Quintas Sahuarita, AZ 85629 Approximate Size: 350 square feet – Width 20’6” x Height 7’8” x Depth 3’ |
Artist: Wesley Fawcett Creigh
Completed November 2019 Hand-painted pecan themed mural wrapping the entire box featuring a pecan orchard and pecans in trees. Location: Anamax Park (South Side of Park) 17501 S. Camino De Las Quintas Sahuarita, AZ 85629 Approximate Size: 200 square feet – Width 11’8” x Height 7’6” x Depth 2’11” |
Artist: Ghazal Ghazi
Completed October 2019 Artist Statement: This mural takes inspiration from local flora, cosmos, and community. It depicts a woman that is radiant, smiling, exuding vibrant colors in celebration of Sahuarita’s diverse and changing community. Surrealism plays with her hair and clothes, which are full of leaves and flowers from Sahuarita’s local ecosystem – such as plants that are found in the Santa Ritas, Madera Canyon, and the Sonoran Desert. Behind her are the starry cosmos, representative not only of the starry nights that can be seen in Sahuarita, but also of the importance of astronomy in local activity, such as the Whipple Observatory. The reverse side of the box includes key agricultural foods produced in Sahuarita Location: Anamax Park (South Side of Park) 17501 S. Camino De Las Quintas Sahuarita, AZ 85629 Approximate Size: 200 square feet – Width 11’8” x Height 7’6” x Depth 2’11” |
Artist: Ghazal Ghazi
Completed October 2019 Artist Statement: The main themes of this mural are life, land, ecology. It features a very colorful and vibrant depiction of a prickly pear plant. The blue background represents not only the sky, but also water and vital role that it plays in the Sonoran Desert ecosystem. It reflects too on the relationship that desert plants have to water, even though this vital resource is so scarce here. The main goal of this design is to celebrate one of the most iconic and common plants of the local system, something that we are surrounded by. It is meant to show something that we encounter on a daily basis in a new light, highlighting its uniqueness and vibrancy. Location: North Santa Cruz Park 14455 S Rancho Sahuarita Blvd, Sahuarita, AZ 85629 Approximate Size: 133 square feet – Width 19’ x Height 7’8” |
Artist: Ignacio Garcia
Completed November 2019 Taking inspiration from Sahuarita’s namesake (roughly translating to “little Saguaro”), this mural features eye-catching, realistic looking Saguaro flowers in a large format. Location: Quail Creek Veterans Municipal Park 1905 N Old Nogales Hwy, Sahuarita, AZ 85629 Approximate Size: 400 square feet – Width 21’11” x Height 7’7” x Depth 2’11’ |