Staff Reports | Community Updates
The Town of Fountain Hills has installed nine new murals throughout its downtown area as part of ongoing efforts to expand the community’s public art program.
The murals were created through a partnership between the town and Art State Arizona, formerly the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance. More than 15 artists applied through a national call, with four artists selected to complete the project: Jesse Perry, AnnMarie Perry, Cheri Reckers and Anthony (Eli) Farias, according to a press release.
“The murals continue to excite and inspire the community,” said Amanda Jacobs, economic development director for the Town of Fountain Hills.
“While Jesse was working on his mural in Fountain Hills, the newly reopened Streets of New York hired him to install three additional murals, demonstrating the ripple effect public art can have on local businesses and artists.”
During fiscal year 2023–24, the Town Council allocated $25,000 for the continued installation of downtown murals as part of its public art and placemaking efforts.
Here is a rundown of the murals:
Jesse Perry completed a mural near Fountain View Coffee at Plaza Fountainside featuring a hummingbird surrounded by birds. The piece marks Mr. Perry’s fourth mural in Fountain Hills.
Cheri Reckers installed three murals at the entrance to Plaza Fountainside along El Lago Drive, drawing inspiration from the surrounding desert landscape.
Anthony (Eli) Farias completed two murals at the corner of Saguaro Boulevard and Paul Nordin Drive depicting desert scenery at dusk, including a lizard and quail framed by prickly pear cacti.
AnnMarie Perry completed three murals along La Montana Drive leading to the International Dark Sky Discovery Center, library and River of Time Museum. The murals reference Fountain Hills’ designation as an International Dark Sky Community.
“Across Arizona, public art is helping communities tell their stories out loud,” said Kate Marquez, CEO and founder of Art State Arizona. “It reflects who we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re going. When art is integrated into public life, it becomes a catalyst for connection, resilience, and a stronger sense of place.”
Participating artists:
AnnMarie Perry is a spray‑paint artist whose work explores themes of nature, space and fantasy. She began exhibiting in Arizona after experiencing homelessness and is known for blending surrealism with oil‑painting techniques and bold color palettes.
Anthony (Eli) Farias is a Phoenix‑based artist who has worked professionally for more than a decade across a range of surfaces, including block walls, concrete, wood panels and metal. His work is influenced by family and personal experience.
Jesse Perry is a Phoenix‑based artist who has worked professionally since 2013 and has completed more than 150 murals. He frequently documents his creative process through time‑lapse videos shared online.
Cheri Reckers lives in the Sonoran Desert and creates paintings, mosaics, sculptures and wearable art for museums, galleries and public and private spaces. Her work is inspired by patterns, textures and colors found in nature.
