The city of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture invites the public to four unveiling celebrations this May for ¡Sombra! Experiments in Shade — a series of artist-designed installations that creatively tackle extreme heat while fostering community connection.

Each event will feature free food and refreshments, live music, a chance to meet the artists, and opportunities to explore the installations.

These are the next round of installations of the ¡Sombra! Experiments in Shade project, which kicked off in April.

¡Sombra! is part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge, which tasks civic leaders and artists to work together to find solutions for some of the cities’ most pressing issues.

The city of Phoenix is one of eight cities awarded $1 million from Bloomberg Philanthropies as it seeks to find solutions for urban heat. The ¡Sombra! artists’ shade installations will be on view for a limited time through September.

Visit sombraphx.org for more information and to view the schedule of events.

Botanical Canopy by Bobby Zokaites

9 a.m.-noon, Saturday, May 10

Cortez Park, 3434 W. Dunlap Ave., Phoenix

Celebrate the unveiling of this vibrant, plant-inspired installation — a structure that provides cooling shade in a playful dance of light and shadow.

Standing Wave by Shomit Barua

11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 10

Los Olivos Park, 2802 E. Devonshire Ave., Phoenix

Explore this environment-responsive sculpture that transforms sunlight, heat, and shadow into an ever-changing soundscape. Bring a yoga mat and immerse yourself with Environmental Listening — a meditative practice which seeks to create a deeper, personal connection to our world.

Reflections on Sunnyslope by Jessica Arias

5-7 p.m. Saturday, May 17

Sunnyslope Park, 802 E. Vogel Ave., Phoenix

Inspired by the surrounding North Mountains, this shaded artwork mimics the contours of the landscape while inviting the community to contribute personal reflections. Colorful flags attached beneath the canopy display community stories, drawings, and hopes — forming a collective visual tapestry.

Chinese Chorizo by Feng-Feng Yeh

5-7 p.m. Saturday, May 31

Eastlake Park, 1549 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix

This installation honors Phoenix’s redlined neighborhoods with a large Chinese Chorizo-shaped canopy adorned with silhouetted imagery based on local stories. During the event, three oral histories from community members will be shared alongside the artwork.