Odometer 54464
Ajo, AZ
Here's a new years blog that should be a treat for the eyes. A partnership between the Ajo Street Art Project (ASAP) and the International Sonoran Desert Alliance (ISDA) allowed a local alley to become the go-to place in Ajo for street art. ISDA, the owner of the Ajo Plaza gave the green light to a group of local artists to light up the alley with some fantastic murals.
Joan and I discovered the alley quite by accident. We were across the street checking out the restaurant at 100 Estrella and when we found out that they were closed, we glanced across the street and saw just a corner of the first mural. We wandered into the alley and our eyes popped out when we realized that there were murals the whole length of the alley!
We probably spent the best part of an hour looking at each mural and checking out the fine details on many of them. Coincidentally a letter to the editor in the local paper the very next week explained how the murals came to be. Local artist Michael Baker described the process of getting ASAP and ISDA together, and soliciting local businesses for funds for paint, brushes, and other supplies
Two local businessmen Kord Klinefelter and Mike Holt were the most generous donors, funding an account at the local hardware store, along with many smaller donations from individuals.
Hop David and Michael Baker were the spark, bringing the challenge to the fine artists of Ajo Street Art Project.
One of the best parts for me was that given all the utilities that enter each plaza store from the alley side- I would have found this frustrating. To the artists, these appear to be insignificant, and some even incorporated the pipes and conduits into the design!
Sorry I missed getting the whole mural in this shot- I did have my back against the opposite wall of the alley. I tried to shoot it at an angle, but I didn't like that either. I do like the message! 👍
Sueňo- Spanish for dream, depicts the hope for a brighter future north of the border
The cross of the oblivion? Couldn't figure that one out... I do agree with the "Ajo, Arizona The best" for winters in the US it's hard to beat.
We 💗 Ajo
The Troubadours
This one took me a few minutes. This artist is showing similarities between the Berlin wall dividing Germany and the international border between Mexico and the US dividing the Native American Tohono O 'odham Nation.
This artist is prescient. The left side of the panel looks like it could be apropos for the election we just had. I hope I'm around for the awakening.
I could study this one for hours, there is so much hidden in this composition.
This mural seems to be the only one that seems the least bit commercial in nature- it is for a good cause...
How can this mural not make you happy?
There is probably some deeper meaning that I'm missing, but this looks like euphoria to me!
At the far end of the alley, close to the south entrance to the Plaza there is this neat sign that we missed, having entered the alley from the other end. We weren't sure if the sign was incomplete or styled this way- looks cool either way.
We hope you have enjoyed this glimpse of street art. Of course there is much more than would fit in these pages, but I hope you find this interesting and amusing.
Ajo, AZ
Here's a new years blog that should be a treat for the eyes. A partnership between the Ajo Street Art Project (ASAP) and the International Sonoran Desert Alliance (ISDA) allowed a local alley to become the go-to place in Ajo for street art. ISDA, the owner of the Ajo Plaza gave the green light to a group of local artists to light up the alley with some fantastic murals.
Joan and I discovered the alley quite by accident. We were across the street checking out the restaurant at 100 Estrella and when we found out that they were closed, we glanced across the street and saw just a corner of the first mural. We wandered into the alley and our eyes popped out when we realized that there were murals the whole length of the alley!
We probably spent the best part of an hour looking at each mural and checking out the fine details on many of them. Coincidentally a letter to the editor in the local paper the very next week explained how the murals came to be. Local artist Michael Baker described the process of getting ASAP and ISDA together, and soliciting local businesses for funds for paint, brushes, and other supplies
Two local businessmen Kord Klinefelter and Mike Holt were the most generous donors, funding an account at the local hardware store, along with many smaller donations from individuals.
Hop David and Michael Baker were the spark, bringing the challenge to the fine artists of Ajo Street Art Project.
One of the best parts for me was that given all the utilities that enter each plaza store from the alley side- I would have found this frustrating. To the artists, these appear to be insignificant, and some even incorporated the pipes and conduits into the design!
Sorry I missed getting the whole mural in this shot- I did have my back against the opposite wall of the alley. I tried to shoot it at an angle, but I didn't like that either. I do like the message! 👍
Sueňo- Spanish for dream, depicts the hope for a brighter future north of the border
The cross of the oblivion? Couldn't figure that one out... I do agree with the "Ajo, Arizona The best" for winters in the US it's hard to beat.
We 💗 Ajo
The Troubadours
This one took me a few minutes. This artist is showing similarities between the Berlin wall dividing Germany and the international border between Mexico and the US dividing the Native American Tohono O 'odham Nation.
This artist is prescient. The left side of the panel looks like it could be apropos for the election we just had. I hope I'm around for the awakening.
I love artists that can put a door in where there is no door and fool the eye. Maybe just for a second.
I could study this one for hours, there is so much hidden in this composition.
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| Shameless advertising ? |
This mural seems to be the only one that seems the least bit commercial in nature- it is for a good cause...
How can this mural not make you happy?
There is probably some deeper meaning that I'm missing, but this looks like euphoria to me!
 |
| Ajo Samaritans |
A little more than 2 years ago the Ajo Samaritans were just getting started, coincidentally that was when Mark and I found human remains on one of our trips through the desert. (If you'd like to read that blog in a seperate window Click here - Close the pop-up window to come back here) We got to know the local Sam chapter during that experience. For those that aren't familiar with the Sams, the mural really says it all. Their feeling is that no-one should die an agonizing death attempting to cross the hostile desert in search of a new life. That is different from saying it should be legal, or that undocumented border crossers should be aided in any other ways. Just not starving or thirsting to death.
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| Under construction... watch this space |
At the far end of the alley, close to the south entrance to the Plaza there is this neat sign that we missed, having entered the alley from the other end. We weren't sure if the sign was incomplete or styled this way- looks cool either way.
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| Door to the now long closed Hole in the Wall Grill in the Plaza |
I decided to include this awesome restaurant door that we have often admired while walking around the Plaza.
The door has weathered copper cladding that is pieced in like leaded glass
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| A beautiful ceramic mosaic welcomes all to Ajo |
We hope you have enjoyed this glimpse of street art. Of course there is much more than would fit in these pages, but I hope you find this interesting and amusing.
Your Traveling Friends
Jeff and Joan
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