TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Since 2018, THRIVE in the 05 has been working to brighten the area in the 85705 zip code.
“There's so much need within this community, and within other communities in Tucson," said Jeremiah Dean, a planner with the Housing and Community Development in the City of Tucson.
This year, three projects will finish, bringing more community-based art to the area, including two murals and a set of sculptures.
One of those murals is at Bailey's Fabric & Supply, Inc., 1401 N. Bailey Ln., in the Barrio Blue Moon neighborhood.
Susanne Shepherd is the owner of Bailey's, a second-generation business in Tucson. She says the art is a step in the right direction.
“I really saw such a positive movement for the area, and they just really wanted to make this area better, safer, prettier,” shared Shepherd.
The muralist behind the art is local artist Pen Macias. She says that the mural honors several different pieces of the community.
“Every aspect of the mural comes from a story that was submitted to us through the website or told to us directly,” explained Macias.
However, her goal is to serve the community through her art.
“It's just really fulfilling to, you know, be a catalyst for bringing people together and telling the stories,” Macias expressed.
The second mural was completed at the Pascua Yaqui Tribe Richey Resource Center at 770 W. Calle Ventura, while competition of the sculptures is planned for April.
RELATED: New mural in Tucson aims to tell the community's story
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Blake Phillips is a reporter for KGUN 9. Originally from St. Louis, Mo., Blake grew up in Sierra Vista. During his college tenure at the Missouri School of Journalism, Blake worked for the NBC affiliate KOMU-TV in Columbia. He is excited to return to a place he calls home and give back to the community in which he grew up. Share your story ideas and important issues with Blake by emailing blake.phillips@kgun9.com.
