Downtown Chandler is filled with amazing local businesses and a rich history of Arizona culture and food. Now, with the addition of a new mural along the Commonwealth Canal, the beautiful scenery just south of the San Marcos Hotel is unparalleled.
“Downtown Chandler continues to add art and cultural amenities to attract and keep our residents and visitors coming back again and again,” says Kim Moyers, City of Chandler Cultural Development Director. “This mural connects the downtown to the award-winning Commonwealth Canal, enriching pedestrians’ experiences and invoking conversations. We are thankful for all the partners that brought this mural to life.”
This project started with a request for proposals from local artists, issued by the City of Chandler’s Visual Arts Coordinator. A total of 14 artists applied, which Downtown Chandler stakeholders narrowed down to four finalists. Chandler resident and Chandler High School alumna, Ariana Enriquez, was chosen from the submitted proposals. She recently created a design for a public art project that beautified utility boxes; her box, featuring an ostrich, is located on the corner of Warner Rd. and Arizona Ave. This is her first mural.
Enriquez describes the mural design as inspired by the idea of water as a nourishing and vital element in our desert, allowing native species to thrive. Her design is filled with bright colors, flowing water, succulents, desert flowers, hummingbirds, bees and the king protea flower – a symbol of courage and diversity, growing in full sunlight.
The mural stands 68 inches tall by 225 feet long, located on the southern exterior wall of the Crowne Plaza Phoenix Chandler Golf Resort (San Marcos Resort), just north of SanTan Brewing Company. It beautifully bridges the distance between the City’s award-winning Commonwealth Canal and Courtyard park. The project is expected to be completed by mid-May 2020.
This project was made possible through a collaboration with the following partners:
• SanTan Brewing Company
• Crowne Plaza Phoenix Chandler Golf Resort (San Marcos Resort)
• Downtown Chandler Community Partnership (DCCP)
• The City of Chandler
“We feel that Downtown Chandler should be a destination for more than just food and drinks. It should reflect our artistic community, be family friendly and offer open spaces for our amazing community to thrive. That’s why we were happy to get involved with this project commission to beautify our neighborhood,” says Anthony Canecchia, founder and brewmaster, SanTan Brewing Company.
