Flagstaff’s outdoor public art collection is always open and publicly accessible.
If these scenarios aren’t included within your 2021 plans, it may be time to dust off the bicycle or walking shoes! The City of Flagstaff invites you to walk or bike your way through our mountain town with two self-guided public art tours.
Though Flagstaff boasts its own wild and natural beauty, over 120 public art pieces also grace the city. Publicly funded art and beautification projects are community-driven and draw from local tax dollars generated by our hotels, bars, restaurants and campgrounds through the Bed, Board and Beverage, or BBB, tax. Although many indoor facilities remain closed or at reduced capacity because of COVID-19, Flagstaff’s outdoor public art collection is always open and publicly accessible. With this in mind, the city has curated two self-guided tours of Flagstaff’s outdoor public art, including murals, mosaics, sculptures and more. Explore public art through the buzzing historic core of Flagstaff by foot, or grab a bike and pedal through Downtown, the Southside, Northern Arizona University (NAU), historic neighborhoods and beautiful public spaces.
The public art walking tour starts and ends at the iconic Flagstaff Visitor Center. At 1.5 miles long, it is perfect for both locals and visitors alike! Head past the bronze Gandy Dancer by Clyde “Ross” Morgan, and continue north of the railroad tracks to explore several inspiring murals located in one of the alleyways off San Francisco Street. The Flagstaff Portal by Sean Griffin is fun to explore before circling back to the Southside. Stroll through neighborhoods rich with character and splashy murals like What Flows Beneath Our Feet, a collaborative mural project inspired by the history of the Rio de Flag (Flagstaff River) that was moved underground. Finish off your walk with the Mother Myth mural by Mural Mice Universal for a look at the rich history of Route 66 in Flagstaff through the decades.
For those who prefer two-wheeled travel, the bikeable public art tour will not disappoint. Pedal from the Visitor Center through Southside neighborhoods and along the length of the NAU campus. See pieces that depict Flagstaff’s history, such as the sculpture Code Talker by R. C. Gorman at NAU and the Southside Mural celebrating African American history at the Murdoch Center by Dr. Ricardo Guthrie. Next, bike through Sawmill Multicultural Art and Nature County Park before journeying through Flagstaff’s historic core. At this point, an optional 6.5-mile out-and-back extension is available along the Karen Cooper Trail, providing a sweeping ride through trees, riparian habitat and pristine views of the San Francisco Peaks. This extension allows participants to view more remote public art pieces, such as the Flagstonian sculpture by Joshua Meyer, a rock and iron “hiker” nestled in an aspen grove beside the trail. Complete the tour by circling back downtown and stopping at Heritage Square, where you will be greeted by the 12-foot Peace Pole by Howie Hearn that reads, “May peace prevail on Earth” in six different languages. After your tour, grab a bite or a refreshing drink at one of Flagstaff’s excellent eateries.
Both walkable and bikeable public art tours can be found on the Discover Flagstaff website, at the Flagstaff Visitor Center and discoverflagstaff.com/publicart.
This year, experience Flagstaff’s unique community identity through the cultural history, beauty and character reflected through our public art collection. FBN
By Erin Kaczmarowski
Erin Kaczmarowski is the beautification, arts and sciences AmeriCorps VISTA member working with the City of Flagstaff. She can be reached at erin.kaczmarowski@flagstaffaz.gov.