Avondale council highlights public art projects, approves consent agenda

The Avondale City Council on Sept. 22 received an update on the city's public art program and approved the meeting's consent agenda.

Marissa Dailey, arts, culture and libraries manager in the Parks, Recreation and Libraries Department, told the council the public art team completed 14 projects in fiscal 2025, began 11 new projects and awarded three scholarships to Avondale High School seniors through the Achieving Artist Scholarship Art Contest. She said funding for public art comes from developer fees in lieu and capital improvement program (CIP) allocations.

Dailey told the council the public art team has a remaining public art operating budget of $463,000 for fiscal 2026, with $121,000 already allocated to current projects. The FY2026 CIP public art budget is $485,000, with $114,000 allocated to ongoing projects, she said.

Completed projects listed in the presentation included a mural at Mountain View Community Center by Maria Madrid Reed, the kinetic sculpture Harmony of Rivers at Fire Station 172 by Anne Muller Steverson, and the sculpture Confluence at Park Avenue Plaza by Vito Dibari. Officials also noted six utility-box art wraps along Van Buren selected from the 2024 Blank Canvas program and additional wraps in North Avondale created with Katitude Arts in connection with a mural at Goodyear Farms Historic Cemetery.

Dailey described in-progress and scheduled work: a mural by Julian Via Pondo at the new Fire Station 171 in Old Town Avondale scheduled for October visibility from ABCernus Plaza and Sam Garcia Library; a Lauren Lee mural for Cooper's Hawk at Park 10 expected in November; and Trevor O'Toole's sculpture The Bridal, with concrete work scheduled for October and final installation in November. A public reveal is planned for Winterfest on Dec. 6, Dailey said. The city also recommended artists for future pieces at Civic Center Park and Old Town Plaza and is planning an illuminated sculpture for Western Avenue after community engagement.

Councilmember Weiss praised the Harmony of Rivers installation, saying, "It's absolutely beautiful and it's perfect for that area." Councilmember White thanked the art staff for a recent tour of the city's library facilities and for publishing a directory of public art installations, saying the works give residents "a moment of pause" and help the public navigate the collection.

Dailey identified members of the Municipal Art Committee in the audience and credited park maintenance staff for landscaping work that complements some sculptures. She said the hometown hero banner program received 19 submissions this year; the city currently displays seven or eight banners and is working with marketing to expand placements along Dysart Road to reflect the larger number of submissions.

The council voted to approve the consent agenda with a motion from Vice Mayor Nielsen and a second from Councilmember Condi. No public speakers were registered during the unscheduled public appearances portion of the meeting.

The meeting concluded after a motion to adjourn by Councilmember Condi, seconded by Councilmember Weiss.