The Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture is inviting young artists to participate in a mural design competition for Cholla Library, located near Interstate 17 and Peoria Avenue.

The competition comes as Cholla Library approaches its 50th anniversary, in May of 2027, and as the surrounding area enters a new chapter with the development of The Metropolitan. The $1 billion project at the former Metrocenter Mall site will bring new housing, retail, restaurants and public green spaces. The mural, designed by a student in the Cholla Library service area, will offer another way to invest in the community while celebrating the people who call the area home.

The Office of Arts and Culture and Phoenix Public Library is teaming up with City Councilmember Ann O’Brien on the project. The selected student’s design will be transformed into a large-scale exterior mural inspired by the Sonoran Desert and neighborhood pride.

“Cholla Library has a special place in my heart because it was my childhood library,” O’Brien stated in a news release. “As we look ahead to the library’s 50th anniversary and the revitalization happening all around it, I want our young people to see their creativity celebrated. Investing in our community means investing in the places and people that make it special.”

Students in grades 7–12 who live within the Cholla Library service area are eligible to participate. The winning design will be selected through a public vote following an initial review by a committee that includes art teachers, District 1 representatives and a Cholla librarian.

“Cholla Library has served generations of families, and this mural is an opportunity for today’s students to become part of its story,” stated Library Services Director Erin MacFarlane in the news release. “Through this mural contest, we are empowering young people to leave a lasting mark on our community. Their artwork reflects the diversity, imagination, and optimism of the next generation, and we are proud to provide a space where those talents can shine.”

The deadline to submit artwork is 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, 2026, at 5 p.m.

Designs should reflect the desert environment and neighborhood pride. Entries must be original student artwork; political content, depictions of people and AI-generated imagery are not permitted. Get more information, including how to submit artwork here. For questions about the competition, contact the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture at arts.culture@phoenix.gov.

Editor's note: The above was republished from a Phoenix Public Library news release.