Gilbert's Heritage District is stepping up its game with two new eye-catching art installations, both aimed to spruce up the downtown area with a dash of culture. According to a recent announcement by the Town of Gilbert, these pieces are strategically placed to catch the eyes of pedestrians and add some extra flair to well-trafficked corridors and pathways.
The first of these installations can be found gracing the north door of the Ash Street Parking Garage at 72 W Vaughn Ave. It's a vinyl wrap titled "Gilbert Deconstructed," from the hands of Liz Taylor, an artist whose past collaborators include big names like Target and The Phoenix Suns. Taylor is quoted as describing her work as an "Abstract repeat pattern using the name “Gilbert,” hand-lettered and then deconstructed to create a modernized graffiti-inspired pattern," in a nod to the town's ongoing transformation. The art is positioned to chord perfectly with the vibe of Gilbert’s renaissance as a hotspot for leisure and livelihood.
Just a stone's throw away at the Hearne Way Parking Garage on 30 E Hearne Way, the second installation stakes its claim. "Illuminating the Past of our Native American First Settlers" is another vinyl gem created by artist Rosa Cruz, a former Arizona local. This artwork, which stands at 94 inches in height, pays homage to the culture and history of the area's indigenous residents. Cruz's work is intended "to celebrate and take care to learn more about the traditions and culture of our indigenous culture and community," a sentiment that reflects an honoring of origins in an area layered with history.
The Gilbert Public Art Map offers locals and visitors alike a chance to view the growing 'Community Canvas', which includes these new additions alongside a varied collection of public art. From hand-painted electrical boxes to the ever-changing fiberglass benches and murals, the map is a guide to discover more than just this latest artwork—like the town’s current "Slip into Spring" banana-themed public seating installation, available through May 2. Gilbert's dedication to public art is not only a bid to beautify but a concrete sign of the town's commitment to its cultural pulse.
