Share your Southside memories

Are you a current or former Southside resident, or someone with a strong connection to the neighborhood? We want to hear from you! A new large-scale sculpture entitled Rustle, will be installed this fall in Cleo Murdoch Park, adjacent to the Murdoch Community Center. Memories from the community will be incorporated into its design. Crafted from 8-foot-high weathering steel, this artwork will celebrate the memories, stories, and history that make the Southside special.

Video: Artist Beth Nybeck discusses Rustle

Enhance Flagstaff’s shared spaces

Artists, local businesses, nonprofits, schools and community groups are encouraged to apply for a Beautification in Action (BIA) grant. The City of Flagstaff, through the Beautification and Public Art Commission, is accepting applications up to $7,500 for creative streetscape enhancements and public art projects that bring character to Flagstaff’s shared spaces. Eligible projects must be in publicly accessible locations and can include murals, sculptures, community or pollinator gardens, decorative benches, neighborhood pathways and more.

Spring Deadline: March 15, 2025, 5 pm (Arizona Time)

Image: Alexi Kimiatek received a BIA grant to plant a community fruit orchard at Bushmaster Park. Photo by Hattie Loper, Arizona Daily Sun.

Create a landmark 3D artwork

The City of Flagstaff seeks Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) for an artist to conduct professional design services and work with a design team to create a landmark 3D artwork on a promontory at Spruce Wash Wedge (E. Cedar Avenue & N. West Street). Direction includes successfully contextualizing the 3D art on the promontory, creating a site-specific icon that can be appreciated by drive-by traffic, fabricating and installing artwork within the prescribed budgets, and designing a sculpture that is durable, requires minimal maintenance, meets safety requirements and deters graffiti.

Application Deadline: March 25, 2025, 5 pm (Arizona Time)

Image: Retaining wall at promontory, Spruce Wash Wedge

Beautification in Action Grantee Spotlight! Little Free Libraries in Sunnyside

Sunnyside resident Stephanie Washington received a Beautification in Action grant to install five Little Free Libraries throughout her neighborhood. The libraries brighten the community and offer a haven for creativity, community and literacy promotion. Each location is registered within the worldwide database that is offered on the Little Free Library website and mobile app. This allows those traveling the opportunity to engage with the libraries and their neighborhoods. Little Free Libraries in Sunnyside are located at Flagstaff Family Food Center, Flagstaff Pawn, Hal Jensen Recreation Center, Hope Cottage and Sunnyside Boxing MMA.

Says Washington, “I have already encountered residents during my trips to restock books and have enjoyed coming by to see books that have been taken. Thank you…for this beautiful opportunity to serve my community, spread kindness and brighten up the Sunnyside.”

Images courtesy of Stephanie Washington