Art adds to the character of a community, bringing residents together in its own unique way. It has a way of creating a city’s identity and culture.
From mosaics to fountains, grass and wall murals, Queen Creek has art gems dispersed around for residents to enjoy. The Downtown Arts and Placemaking Advisory Sub Committee works towards increasing that by developing a master plan.
“The purpose of the committee is to encourage arts in the downtown core, helping strategically shape the physical and social character of the area,” said Lisa Dalton, executive director of Gangplank Queen Creek and member of the Downtown Arts and Placemaking Advisory Sub Committee. “The committee supports the image and identity objective within the quality lifestyle priority identified in the town’s Corporate Strategic Plan.”
Gangplank Queen Creek is a nonprofit collaborative workspace and community hub located downtown that provides the perfect space for people to come together.
“Our community aims to create a unique environment where entrepreneurs, freelancers, creatives and folks can come together to work, collaborate and share ideas,” Dalton said. Using social capital, Gangplank offers space for events, networking opportunities, workshops and co-working.
Focusing on fostering innovation and supporting the growth of local businesses, Gangplank also promotes a culture of collaboration, skill-sharing and creativity with a makerspace full of tools and equipment.
“Gangplank continues to encourage and support innovation and collaboration between the greatest resources in our town - its people,” Dalton said. “Our goals are devoted to continued inspiration of our citizens, increased opportunities to connect and continued value to our community as a resource for economic development.”
Being a lifelong artist and living in Queen Creek for the last 25 years, Dalton has had the opportunity to watch and be a part of the city's growth. As a member of the committee, she’s had a “continued opportunity to shape the town, support my neighbors and make folks happy through art and placemaking,” Dalton said. “I feel fortunate to be able to represent longtime residents and fellow local artists on this Committee, and work to keep the Downtown Art & Placemaking development experience as authentic and meaningful as possible as we navigate our immense growth.”
As a committee member and artist she’s looking forward to coordinating and creating more art for the city’s residents to enjoy.
“Art and creating are essential in a city because they foster cultural enrichment, inspire innovation, and promote community engagement,” she said. “Art provides a platform for self-expression, bridging diverse perspectives and contributing to a vibrant and dynamic community environment that stimulates enjoyment and personal growth.”
Gangplank Queen Creek, located at 22240 S. Ellsworth Road, is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday. For more information, visit gangplankhq.com.
Outdoor art pieces to be on the lookout for in Queen Creek:
- Visit Mansel Carter Oasis Park, at 19535 E. Appleby Road. Located by the lake you'll find the Peninsula Waterfall.
- Walk around the playground at Mansel Carter Oasis Park and on the east side you’ll find the Queen Creek grass mural.
- Drive to the intersection of Rittenhouse and Ellsworth. On the southeast corner you’ll find the Zip Code Trains.
- Head over to the Queen Creek Library, located at 21802 S. Ellsworth Road. Once you park, head over to the northeast corner of South Rittenhouse Road and East Ocotillo Road to find the Clock Tower and Mountain Mosaic.
- Also, while at the library, check out the Mariposa Falls waterfall and ground mosaic that’s right by the entrance.
- At Founders’ Park Community Center, 22407 S. Ellsworth Road, there are two murals on the west side of the building. If you’re driving by, you’ll be able to spot them from the street.
- Also at Founders’ Park you can find two baseball murals painted on the outside of the dugouts.
