Residents of Flagstaff and visitors alike have a new attraction to look forward to as the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County gear up for the launch of the second annual Multicultural County Park Sculpture Exhibition. Taking place at the Elizabeth “Liz” C. Archuleta County Park on May 19, the exhibition kicks off at 11:00 a.m. with an opening reception featuring remarks from Mayor Becky Daggett and other City and County officials, alongside the artists whose works will be on display, according to a statement obtained by the City of Flagstaff.
This year's exhibition showcases striking sculptures by artists Olivero Balcells, Isaac Caruso, Joe Ray, Adrian Wall, and Lance Yazzie, offering reflections on a range of themes including nature and cultural heritage. Jana Weldon, City of Flagstaff’s Beautification, Arts & Sciences Program Manager, described the exhibition as a "testament to artistic excellence and the importance of cultural visibility in public spaces" in a news release by the City of Flagstaff.
A collective process was key to curating the exhibition, with input from a selection panel representing several City and County commissions and councils, such as the Indigenous Commission, and the Hispanic and African Diaspora Advisory Councils. This panel evaluated artists based on creative merit as well as their experience working with site-specific public art, ultimately having their recommendations approved by Coconino County’s Parks and Recreation Commission last fall.
Inspired by the Indigenous Circle of Flagstaff’s call for better representation of cultural narratives in public areas, the project has grown into a joint effort between City and County to encompass a wider range of multicultural expressions, Rose Toehe, Indigenous Affairs Administrator for the City of Flagstaff, shared sentiments on the importance of perspectives from the space itself and how the project has come full circle offering enjoyment, healing, and inspiration to the community. Cynthia Nemeth, Coconino County Parks and Recreation Director, remarked on the exhibition serving as a reflection of the community’s diverse cultural fabric, in a separate release from the County.
Beyond the sculpture exhibition, visitors to the park can also engage with a variety of other features such as a storybook pathway, an educational wildflower maze, a butterfly mural by the Willow Bend Environmental Center, and a 65-foot-long community art wall celebrating local cultural heritage, details provided by the City of Flagstaff. Weldon further elaborated on the city’s ambition to grow the exhibition into a nationally recognized hub for public art. The display remains open to the public through March 15, 2026, ensuring ample time for both locals and tourists to experience the convergence of art and community spirit in Flagstaff’s outdoor gallery.
