Fountain Hills unveiled nine new downtown murals in partnership with Art State Arizona (formerly known as the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance). Fountain Hills selected four artists: Jesse Perry, Cheri Reckers, Anthony “Eli” Farias, and AnnMarie Perry, who were chosen from a national call issued by ASA.
Three murals were completed by AnnMarie Perry, a renowned spray paint artist who focuses on themes of nature, space and fantasy. Her murals are along La Montana Drive, leading to the International Dark Sky Discovery Center, library, and River of Time Museum. They are inspired by Fountain Hills’ designation as an International Dark Sky Community in 2018.
Two murals by Farias are located at the corner of Saguaro Boulevard and Paul Nordin Drive. They showcase desert scenery at dusk, including a lizard and quail framed by two prickly pear cacti. Farias has been making art professionally for 10 years. Much of Farias’ artistic inspiration has come from his grandmother, who gave him his middle name, Eli, which he has now adopted as his artist moniker.
Jesse Perry’s mural of native hummingbirds, “The Three Wise Guys,” can be seen near Fountain View Coffee at Plaza Fountainside. The completion of this piece marks Perry’s fourth mural in Fountain Hills. Perry has gained both local and national recognition and is credited with over 150 murals. He often captures his artistic process on film, making time-lapse videos that he shares on social media.
Recker‘s three murals are located at the entrance to Plaza Fountainside along El Lago Drive. These pieces were inspired by the surrounding desert landscape. Her work is often inspired by the colors and textures of the natural Sonoran landscape, and she aims for a level of “sophisticated whimsy.” Her work was recently featured in Fox 10’s recurring “Made in Arizona” segment.
“Across Arizona, public art is helping communities tell their stories out loud,” said Kate Marquez, CEO & Founder of ASA. “It reflects who we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re going. When art is integrated into public life, it becomes a catalyst for connection and a stronger sense of place.”
These murals demonstrate Fountain Hills’ continued advocacy for public art. The town allotted $25,000 to go toward the “ongoing installation of downtown murals as part of its commitment to public art and placemaking.” Learn more at artstateaz.org.
