Estrella Mountain Community College unveils public art

The West Valley Arts Council will unveil a new public art installation on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 6:00 p.m. The piece, located in the courtyard outside the Estrella Mountain Community College Conference Center at 3000 N. Dysart Rd., features two designs: “Cultivating Community” and “Legacy of the Land.”

The artwork is designed to present different visual experiences depending on the viewer's perspective, with vibrant colors intended to engage and inspire. 

“I saw photos before I saw the sculpture in person and thought it was two pieces, but it’s not. The creativity is mind-blowing,” said West Valley Arts Council Executive Director Kathy Knecht.

The installation is the result of the West Valley Arts Council Gallery 37 apprenticeship program, where student artists collaborate with professional instructors to create public art. Participants earn a stipend, college credit, and practical skills relevant to their future careers. 

At the unveiling event, student artists will participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony facilitated by the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Gallery 37 is a summer program that has engaged over 250 Arizona students since it was started in 2001. Through the program, high school juniors and seniors from across the West Valley take part in hands-on artistic training, culminating in the creation of a permanent public art piece.

The program also focuses on providing students with important job skills such as resume writing and public speaking. 

Visit westvalleyarts.org for more information.