SAFFORD — The Community Mural Event this past weekend drew a wide array of artists and wannabe artists — from pre-kindergarteners to seniors and everyone in between.
Volunteers could add their touches to nine different murals on the south wall of Austin’s Auto Advantage.
“I think when you’re working on it, it might seem like a lot, but the end result is definitely worth it,” said Safford High Schooler Phoebe Tarnutzer.
The event brought together the community, as well as professional muralists to complete the final murals in Brandt Woods’ Downtown Mural Project. One of those professionals was Colorbrush Co.’s Tiffany DeWitt, of St. George, Utah, who met Woods through an Instagram group for muralists.
“He told me about the project and asked if I wanted to design something,” DeWitt said. “I said, ‘Sure, why don’t I just come down and paint it?’ ”
The Safford Downtown Mural Project was proposed by Woods to the Safford Downtown Association in early 2021. The plan was for him to complete 31 murals in 31 days in the fourth quarter of that year.
While it took longer than planned, that extra time allowed Woods to involve more building owners, businesses and community members in the project, including the first Community Mural Event on the west wall of the Copper and Cotton Lifestyle Co. building around this same time last year.
For his work in helping beautify and bring color to the Downtown, Woods was recently presented with the Pride of Safford Award.
