By Johanna-Rosalye Luna
PHOENIX, AZ — The Phoenix Arts & Culture Department has announced nine artists selected for its “¡Sombra!” public art project, which aims to combat the city’s extreme urban heat. Funded by a $1 million Public Art Challenge grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies, the project will feature temporary shading and cooling installations in public parks.
Chosen from nearly 80 submissions, the artists were selected by a panel from the City of Phoenix’s Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, Office of Innovation, and Arts & Culture Department, alongside local and national design professionals. The winning concepts were praised for their innovative materials, creative themes, and community engagement.
The “¡Sombra!” installations will debut in Spring 2025 at nine public locations identified by community partners, including the Nature Conservancy-led Heat Action Planning Guide for Greater Phoenix. The selected artists will collaborate with local residents and various city departments to finalize their designs.
The artists and their installation sites are:
- Jessica Arias – Sunnyslope Park
- Shomit Barua* – Los Olivos Park
- Jose Benavides & Joe Ray* – Cielito Park
- AZ(Land)* – Steele Indian School Park
- Josie Davis & Jenny Boehme – Roesley Park
- Kira Dominguez-Hultgren – Maryvale Park
- Luke Haynes – Sereno Park
- Feng-Feng Yeh* – Eastlake Park
- Bobby Zokaites* – Cortez Park
(*Indicates Arizona-based artist)
“As climate change continues to intensify our summer heat, Phoenix is harnessing and deploying unique and innovative ways to cool our city and make it more comfortable,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “I am looking forward to seeing what these talented artists design for our city parks and to the positive impact their projects will have on Phoenicians!”
“We believe the impacts of the ‘¡Sombra!’ project will live beyond the scope of these temporary art installations and enhance the quality of life for Phoenix’s visitors and residents,” said Stephanie Dockery from Bloomberg Philanthropies Arts Team.
The installations will be displayed at the selected parks in Spring 2025 and later relocated to Steele Indian School Park in September 2025 for a family-friendly festival.
For more information about “¡Sombra!”, visit sombraphx.org.
Discover more from En Breve News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
