Sculpture “Shadow Play” by Meejin Yoon of Höweler + Yoon Architecture/MY Studio in Phoenix.
The Phoenix Arts & Culture Department has announced the selection of nine artists for its “¡Sombra!” public art project. Funded by a $1 million Public Art Challenge grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies, the artists will create temporary shading and cooling installations in response to Phoenix’s extreme urban heat. Throughout the projects, the City of Phoenix Arts & Culture Department and the Office of Heat Response and Mitigation seek to demonstrate scalable solutions and inspire community dialogue about urban heat.
Chosen from nearly 80 submissions from across the U.S., the artists were selected by a diverse panel of specialists from the City of Phoenix’s Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, the Office of Innovation, the Arts & Culture Department, as well as local and national artists and design professionals. The winning artists were chosen for their public art concepts’ use of effective, experimental and innovative materials and processes, creative themes, and community engagement activities.
The “¡Sombra!” temporary installations will be unveiled in Spring 2025 at nine public locations identified as those of high need by community partners, including contributors to the Nature Conservancy-led Heat Action Planning Guide for Greater Phoenix. Each artist has been paired with City parks in these neighborhoods to collaborate with residents, the Parks and Recreation Department, the Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, and the Office of Innovation to finalize design concepts.
The winning “¡Sombra!” artists (PDF) and their corresponding temporary installation locations are as follows:
- 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. That’s why we are so excited for the support of these nine artists who will turn their beautiful art into shade,” 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 know innovation comes from creative thinkers and collaboration,” said Stephanie Dockery, Bloomberg Philanthropies Arts Team . “The Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge brings together mayors, artists, nonprofits, the private sector, and residents to develop innovative solutions that address critical issues facing cities. 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.”
The “¡Sombra!” temporary installations will be installed in the Spring of 2025 at each of the selected City parks and will then be relocated to Steele Indian School Park in September of 2025 for a one-day, family-friendly festival featuring activities for children, food and music.
“¡Sombra!” will include workshops, educational activities and festive events for artists, civic leaders and residents to discover new, creative ways to adapt to Phoenix’ extreme urban heat.
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