Thrive in the 05 Recap
Over the past year, LSA has partnered with three different communities in the 85705 zip code to facilitate quick-build projects that combine traffic calming treatments with murals painted on the street. These projects were implemented as part of the City of Tucson’s Thrive in the 05 initiative which aims to “promote safety and well-being, in order to ensure all community members have access to opportunities that would empower them to achieve their full potential, to thrive” and is focused on the 05 zip code.
We developed the projects and identified locations based on first-hand input from area residents. For example, it was during a Thrive in the 05 Transformation Plan community meeting that we learned about Old Pascua youth frequently crossing the street at 15th & Rillito to get to destinations as far as Mansfield Park. This led to the idea of reviving a former school crosswalk at that location. As we were reviewing the recommendations included in the Transformation Plan, we found out that Barrio Blue Moon neighbors would like to see traffic safety improvements at 14th & Helen. We then attended a neighborhood meeting to discuss the possibility of a neighborhood traffic circle to help calm traffic at this intersection. We joined a neighborhood walkabout with Miracle Manor neighbors who expressed their desire to beautify the barren, concrete traffic circles recently installed in their neighborhood through the City’s Slow Streets initiative. Those traffic circles later became canvasses for two whimsical murals inspired by the imagination of Nash Elementary students. (Fun fact: During the walkabout, one of the Miracle Manor neighbors told us that she’d like to see a turtle in the traffic circle mural. Even though the mural ended up having a “space” theme, the turtle made it in. After all, it might just be the earthlings who bring a little gravity to a space scene, just like it’s the neighbors who help ensure that these types of place-based initiatives are grounded in community.)
Mural ideas from the art sessions held with Nash Elementary students
Back in the spring of 2020, we put together an Thrive in the 05 Action Activity proposal with these community-generated ideas which was ultimately selected to be included in the City of Tucson’s grant application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. All of this groundwork coincided with the beginning of the pandemic, where Zoom rooms became our new daily reality and gathering people at block painting parties seemed like a distant dream. The ongoing reality of the pandemic, coupled with the slow-moving federal government timelines for this grant, made it such that we had to wait two more years before the first brush stroke could meet the asphalt.
Brandon Varela shares info about the Old Pascua project with Cyclovia participants. Photo: Elijah Garcia
Beginning in Summer 2022, community engagement efforts kicked off again. Artists with ties to each of the project neighborhoods were selected to generate initial designs for asphalt art. Through door-to-door outreach, neighborhood meetings and pop-ups at events like the Fiesta in the ‘05, Old Pascua Centennial Celebration, and Cyclovia Tucson, these artists shared their vision and integrated feedback from neighbors into a series of designs. For the Miracle Manor projects near Nash Elementary, an art workshop was held where students could share their ideas through drawings. Artists synthesized comments, images and ideas from each community into the final project designs.
These projects were implemented over three Block Painting Parties with neighbors. Fueled by pan dulce, music from great DJs, and delicious burritos & tacos, volunteers came together to finish each project in one day. Many even got their bikes repaired while they painted. Planters with native desert plants went in. We’re big fans of the block painting party model because events like this, where residents collectively transform their streets, create an opportunity to reinforce exiting community connections while fostering new ones. Neighbors gather in a festive environment and together bring the artwork to life. As colors begin to spill onto the asphalt, a sense of joy spreads over the street.
Barrio Blue Moon Traffic Circles, October 2022
Artist: Mando Sotelo
Turtle’s Moon Cycle Shell
Artist Armando Sotelo holds the traffic circle design, one of his triplets, and his dog Popeye at the Block Painting Party. Photo: Creatista
Miracle Manor Traffic Circles, November 2022
Artist: Jessi Rosas
Dream Big and Tin Toys
“I make my art for many reasons. But most importantly, I make art for other creative or free spirited children. Art is a commonly underfunded curriculum. It is important to me that my art sends a message to children, that they too can make a career out of being creative. That people like us are as important as any other career path. Most importantly, that art matters.”
Volunteers help fill in the traffic circle designs at the Block Painting Party. Photo: Ernesto Raul Aguilar
Old Pascua Crosswalk & Curb Extension, January 2023
Artist: Brandon Varela & the Old Pascua Youth Artists
Walk Our Path
“The Old Pascua Mural depicts elements related to the Yaqui people. All designs reflect the relationship that the Yaqui share with plants, animals and culture—all elements we find here in the Sonoran Desert”
