In Flux Announces 13 Artists Picked To Display Work Around Valley

PHOENIX, AZ —In Flux, formed through a strategic partnership of seven local art-related organizations, has announced the details of its 10th cycle of artworks that will be displayed temporarily around the Valley beginning this summer.

As part of the program, six cities in the Phoenix metropolitan area —Avondale, Chandler, Glendale, Peoria, Scottsdale, and Tempe — have selected 13 new and emerging artists of all mediums to create works for public enjoyment.

According to a release, In Flux is offering the artists between $5,000 and $10,000 for their work, which will be on display for up to one year starting in June.

In addition to funding, the public displays are expected to provide the artists with a crucial platform to garner exposure for their work, which could lead to future commissions, according to In Flux.

"The intentions of this multi-city partnership is to create connections between community organizations, city governments, local businesses, artists, and audiences, while providing creatives a chance to expand their skills, challenge their creativity and garner public recognition for their work," In Flux said in a statement.

Hector Ortega, a Phoenix-based artist who will be creating a 3-D sculpture in Scottsdale as part of In Flux Cycle 10, said he's had an eye on the program for years.

"This program not only brings the opportunity for an artist to create a work for a given site within a community but to gain the necessary work experience to create a sustainable art practice," Ortega told Patch.

Ortega added: "Public art is one of the hardest sectors to get a foothold into, and a program like this enables artists to go through the process of design, creation and working with stakeholders to bring art to the public, while gaining experience to pursue other opportunities here and nationally."

In his proposal for In Flux Cycle 10, Ortega revealed that his artwork will be a sculpture called "Reliance"

"(The sculpture) is inspired by the interconnections we all share amongst each other in our daily lives, how our interactions with each other as people and members of society influence the human condition and how we as people/humans have great impacts on each other's lives," Ortega wrote in his proposal.

The sculpture is scheduled to be displayed in Scottsdale at N. Scottsdale Road and E. Oak Street, on the northeast corner.

Scottsdale also will feature several other works of art in connection with the program:

• Christopher Luper will be creating a 3-D sculpture at N. Scottsdale Road and E. Roosevelt Street.
• Yuke Li will be creating a mural at the City of Scottsdale water riser and the concrete SRP well site on the south side of Thomas Road between N. 81st Way and N. 82nd Street.
• Shirley Wagner will be creating 3-D sculptures for Miller Plaza at N. Miller Road and E. Indian School Road.
• Amanda Clayton will be creating 3-D sculptures for the Scottsdale Quarter at N. Scottsdale Road and N. Greenway Haden Loop.

In Avondale:

• Michelle Meyer will be creating a 3-D sculpture located on the northeast corner of 114th Avenue and Dale Earnhardt Drive.

In Chandler:

• Lily Reeves will be creating artwork for multiple locations in the downtown area.

In Glendale:

• Heather Bentz will be creating an art installation that will be in the lobby of City Hall.

In Peoria:

• Lauren Lee will be creating a mural at Park West Mall.
• Doug Boyd and Jennifer Levine will be creating sculptures at the Main Library and the Sunrise Mountain Library respectively.

In Tempe:

• David Haff will be creating a 3-D sculpture for Tempe Beach Park
• Zach Lihatsh will be creating a 3-D sculpture for Daley Park on the corner of College and Encanto.

For the initiative, In Flux has joined forces with promotional partner Artlink, a Valley-based nonprofit supporting artists by providing necessary programs and resources to expand their careers.

The seven local art organizations that have partnered to create In Flux are: Avondale Public Art, Chandler Arts Commission, City of Glendale Public Art Program, City of Peoria Arts & Culture, Scottsdale Public Art and City of Tempe Public Art.