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Southside public-art projects emphasize community memory after expanded outreach and survey work
Summary
Beautification Arts & Sciences presented two Southside public-art efforts — the Southside Grove timeline and 'Russell' sculpture — describing extensive community outreach, use of ConnectFlagstaff and canvassing, and how staff adapted when initial engagement was limited.
City arts staff reviewed two public-art projects that used community input to shape design and content for the Southside area.
Jana Weldon and project staff described the Southside Grove, a concentric timeline piece that weaves municipal, Indigenous and neighborhood history into text bands inspired by tree rings. The artist team held community forums, a photo contest and site visits to collect stories and imagery; staff said the final installation (completed in May) has proven popular and that the piece incorporates community-provided text arranged from center (older history/science) to outer rings (Southside community history through the present).
Project administrator Kristen Crejito described outreach for a second project, "Russell," a weathering-steel leaf-shaped sculpture to be installed at the Cleo Murdoch Park. The selection process included a panel with BPAC members, NAU faculty, Southside residents and representatives of Flagstaff's lived-black experience. Initial public events in 2024 had limited attendance, so staff pivoted in 2025: they canvassed about 140 homes, used ConnectFlagstaff for an online survey, ran print and radio ads and engaged local community members who helped gather memories. The outreach yielded dozens of community memories; staff selected 27 to be integrated into the sculpture's design. Crejito thanked community members who helped link staff with residents and families, including named volunteers who transcribed and delivered memories.
Council members praised staff for persistent outreach and noted the importance of community voices in public art. Staff also announced a ConnectFlagstaff survey open through Nov. 9 to gather input for a forthcoming Buffalo Park mural.
