Public art is coming to the West Valley in a whole new way.

Municipal public art programs across six cities — Surprise, Buckeye, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Peoria and Tolleson — are joining forces with WESTMARC, the Western Maricopa Coalition, to launch a vibrant new initiative called “iHola! West Valley.”

This partnership will bring a series of temporary, site-specific art installations created by local artists to various locations throughout the West Valley.

iHola! stands for “Highlighting Our Local Arts” and aims to connect West Valley cities and residents to arts and culture resources, spotlight the abundance of arts and culture activities and opportunities in this thriving region, and provide mentorship for local artists to enter the field of public art.

Once art is installed, the goal is to create a map of locations, paving the way for future bus tours. This allows residents to discover new art experiences and explore different aspects of the West Valley’s artistic landscape.

A benefit of this collaboration for aspiring artists is that they will have the opportunity to receive mentorship and training, equipping them with the skills and experience needed to thrive in the field of public art. Participating cities can share resources, expertise and staff time, which is beneficial for all involved.

This initiative aims to foster a deeper connection between the cities and residents.

“iHola! West Valley” is now accepting applications from Arizona-based artists across various disciplines to create temporary, site-specific art projects in a variety of West Valley locations.

Interested artists can submit proposals by visiting westmarc.org/HOLA by the end of the day Oct. 1.

WESTMARC is a regional economic development organization serving the West Valley. Its mission is to promote collaboration and economic prosperity across the region.