Uptown Chandler Art Project

Venessa Chavez

"The inspiration for my artwork for this project was Chicano culture and the Chicano people who have helped make Chandler what it is today. I love the beautiful, vibrant colors and symbolism, and wanted to share that with people on the streets of the city." 

Jef Caine

"In the spirit of authenticity, I wanted to create an imagined depiction of the internal workings of one of these things. A mass of cords, wires, outlets, switches, and other technical do-dads - who knows what any of them are for? Like the city of Chandler itself, this graphic is casual and eclectic. A complex hive buzzing with life and electricity. No two faces the same. No two paths identical. The illustration depicts the symbiotic relationship between bio-life and technology, growth and decay, humans and robots, order and chaos.

Together we endure the heat of the Arizona sun, sweep away the dust of the wind-blown desert, and admire the dignity of the swirling cactus. Our lives are entangled and interconnected in ways we may never fully comprehend. The dynamics of our community come to fruition when we go out on the town. Cold beer. Spicy tacos. Karaoke. Shared laughter with strangers. The search for someplace to plug in your phone. Finally a moonlit walk back to the car. Coffee and donuts in the morning. This city is alive and so are we.

Chandler is a community teeming with life. It is chaotic, complex and ultimately unknowable. And it is all the more beautiful for it."

For more of Jef's work:  jefcaine.com 

Ariana Enriquez

"I have called Arizona home for twenty-three years. Its diverse geography serves as my largest source of inspiration for my work. Primarily painted by hand in oils on canvas, my utility box design depicts birds, insects and botanical elements that I associate with both the city of Chandler and Arizona overall. Dr. A.J. Chandler brought ostriches to Arizona after seeing them in the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Since then this quirky bird has become a historic icon of the city of Chandler and is incorporated on the frontal face of the utility box. The back of the box depicts the cactus wren, our state bird, among prickly pear blooms. Protecting their established territory, the cactus wren serves as a reminder to collectively take care of and contribute to our city. The sides of the utility box depict hummingbirds and cicadas. Arizona summers are filled with cicada songs, reminders of longer days and monsoon-swept sunsets. Their distinct high-pitched buzz always reminds me of home. While hummingbirds hold personal meaning of familial guidance for me, they are also prevalent within our desert ecosystems, gracefully migrating through our land. Lastly, cactus blooms, succulents, and Arizona wildflowers (gold poppies, purple brodea, lupine and coneflowers) fill the spaces around these species, representative of the abundant colors and rich flora that our desert offers."

For more of Ariana's work:  arianaenriquez.com 

Ariana Enriquez

"My design features a great blue heron and small verdin, both contributors to Arizona's ecosystem. Alongside the birds are mullein, dandelion, and purple nightshade - all weeds of the desert. Purple nightshade grows commonly in highly disturbed areas, such as in overgrazed pastures and vacant lots. They serve as a message that nature prevails despite or in spite of urban growth, calling for the restoration and respect of the natural world."

For more of Ariana's work:  arianaenriquez.com 

Jane Goat

"The City of Chandler has been busy building itself into the respected community that it is today. With mindful and speedy expansions it is quickly becoming a hotspot suburb of Phoenix. To showcase the building blocks of the City of Chandler, my illustration takes the city name and builds upon itself both experientially and visually. Although each face of the box is interesting in its own aesthetic, you'll need all four sides to put together this concept art, just like you need all facets of a city to be working together to make something great."

For more of Jane's work:  janegoat.com 

Ghazal Ghazi

"The inspiration for this design is based on an intersection between Uptown Chandler and the local ecology of its land. The fig is a very desert-friendly tree, and grows well in southern Arizona, fruiting twice annually. The fig represents not only the common trees and plants that are part of the local landscape of the Sonoran Desert, but it also represents the active, health-focused recreational lifestyle that is common in Uptown Chandler. The bright colors also serve as a reflection of the vibrancy and dynamism of Uptown Chandler."

For more of Ghazal's work:  ghazalghazi.com  

Alexis Fritz

"The inspiration for my traffic box designs comes from desert dreams. I chose two local myths, The Lost Dutchman and the Jackalope, and two oversized representations of local fauna, an enormous gila monster and three giant hummingbird moths, to depict those dreams. The desert is full of mysterious things, these are some of my favorites."

For more of Alexis' work:  uforbia.com 

Jennifer Fuciarelli

"Explore the many treasures of Chandler: the abundance of diverse eateries, the unique shops in historical surroundings, the vibrant night life, and the wonders of nature that encompass Uptown Chandler.

Eat. Explore. Elope."

Chris Jagmin

"This illustration imagines a fantastical botanical world filled with joyful patterns. The actual desert flora is already unique, but my drawing adds to the diversity and strangeness that is Arizona."

For more of Chris' work:  jagminart.com  

Cheryl Juracich

"For as long as I can remember, classic cars have excited and inspired me. Happening upon a rare model in my community makes me feel like I've found a gem sparkling in the sun. Our vehicles don't just take us where we need to go. They can be part of our heritage and evoke a sense of pride. Chandler's classic car shows exemplify the bonds of community around nostalgia and restoration."

For more of Cheryl's work:  cheryljuracich.com  

Carla Keaton

"Inspiration for this piece came from two things I enjoy the most. Both at the opposite ends of the spectrum. I’ve always been drawn to people at bus stops. They represent ordinary people, in the hustle and bustle of an energetic and lively city. Who are they, where are they going, what is their story. I observe them for a fleeting moment in time and then in an instant, they are gone. Then there are the mountains, desert and the indescribable serene beauty of an Arizona sunset, where I have spent countless times hiking exploring and just being."

For more of Carla's work:  keatonfinearts.biz 

Mike Holmes

"An iguana and gila monster travel the beautiful, treasure-filled desert on the back of their newfound friend, the tortoise. Not a trio you expect to see working together every day, here they roam: exploring, discovering, having new experiences, and making new friends and memories. In the end, all we have is the connections we've made and the experiences we've had. I hope that we can all find ourselves in situations where we make meaningful connections that both encourage our own personal growth and elevate those around us, just as this trio has done.

The people we meet all play roles in our stories, but all stories need a location to nurture that narrative. Having lived in Chandler for many years now, one thing that always astounds me is the city's ability to embrace change while still maintaining this welcoming charm that has always been its hallmark. The city has an eclectic spirit that seems to embrace all, and invite everyone to come and join. No matter where we come from, Chandler welcomes us to sit on its porch, have a drink, and enjoy this desert adventure we find ourselves on. I hope people can feel some of that Chandler charm when they pass by this art on the street."

Kayla Newnam

"The inspiration for this piece comes from the diversity and uniqueness that is Uptown Chandler. The different finger creatures represent the different happy faces and personalities that come together and collaborate around Uptown Chandler. These friendly characters symbolize the welcoming attitude that Uptown Chandler fosters for emerging and forward-thinking businesses. The bottom winding pattern is a nod to the history of the Dr. Alexander Chandler's involvement in the creation of an early system of canals that are now spread throughout the City of Chandler."

For more of Kayla's work:  kaylanewnam.com 

Yuke Li

"My work, UNDER THE SUNSET, depicts the productive people of Chandler illuminated by the warm glow of the street. The girl holding sunflowers, the couple driving with their dog to an outdoor dinner, and the man with the truck hauling off the load of work from the day, show the busy nature of the city as they pass by the sky-reaching palm trees. It is important to enjoy this moment of the day after things are accomplished. This is my inspiration for UNDER THE SUNSET."

For more of Yuke's work:  yukeliart.com 

Chelsi Rossi

"My inspiration for this project comes from a recent road trip of the west coast starting from Portland, Oregon and finishing at home in Downtown Phoenix. For days I watched cities appear in the distance as tiny clusters of light while rolling hills and valleys flew by in the windows. Each time I travel back to the valley, I am reminded of the vastness of both Phoenix and the desert that surrounds it by the expansive sea of glowing city lights. The colors within the landscape are uniquely vivid to compliment the lively atmosphere of Uptown Chandler and the welcoming sign invites you to think about the next time you’ll be spending time Uptown."

For more of Chelsi's work:  chelsirossi.com 

Meg Stapp

"I am continually inspired by the desert landscapes in Arizona and love to see when the different desert flora and fauna are infused with the hustle of the city. In Chandler, it is common to see Saguaros, Ocotillo, Barrels and Pachycereus cactus lining the streets, outside of shopping centers and lining your neighbors’ yards. This year has been even more special because we have experienced so much rain- the desert plants that would normally be drying out have been so incredibly lush and supported a beautiful butterfly ecosystem that has allowed the populations to thrive all over the Valley. After seeing so many in an afternoon visit to Chandler, I was inspired to include a butterfly and the flowers they feed on in my creation amongst the lush desert plants to celebrate this year and provide a symbol of hope for years to come."

For more of Meg's work:  meghowart.com 

Michelle Vilavanh

"Chandler is one of those cities that has something in it for everybody. I like to imagine it as a canvas, since it provides a space for those with big ideas to thrive. But beyond that, Chandler appeals to all kinds of people – regardless of their background. As someone who has lived here for most of her life, I want my design to remind people of what makes Chandler so unique. We live in a true desert, full of cactuses and mountains and all kinds of wildlife that just doesn’t exist elsewhere in the United States.

I chose to capture the energy of the city with vibrant colors and shapes that indicate motion, to give the feeling that Chandler is always moving, and doesn’t subscribe to one particular identity. This city is made up of different cultures that have made it a diverse hub for food and for entertainment. One side of my design captures Chandler’s daytime activities, the other side captures the nighttime atmosphere here (I event included a stylized martini glass and fork to give a nod to the great food culture we enjoy in Chandler!). When I was conceptualizing this piece, I wanted to highlight two things: where Chandler has been, and where it will go in the future. I wanted to honor the many identities that Chandler has had in the past while still leaving room for whatever is in store for it in the days, months, and years ahead."

Tiffany Ulep

"I was inspired by the variety of food you can get around in the city. Like a vending machine, Chandler has grown into one-stop shop place where you can have tacos and boba for dinner or wings and pho. I also wanted to pay homage to the tech companies by exposing the inner circuit board of the vending machine. With many tech companies calling Chandler home, it has help grow and diversify the city."

For more of Tiffany's work:  instagram.com/cutesewluna 

Yaelh Castaneda

"My inspiration for this illustration came from the city of chandler. I made it dual sided to show that Chandler is so full of fun and amazing things that once you leave it’ll always bring you back. That’s why I chose the day sky with the car leaving for the front and the dark night sky on the back for the return."