EXTRA! EXTRA! Q&A with Troy Neiman: The Northwest Neighborhood Garden Fence Mural

Dec 1, 2016 | Arts News

EXTRA! EXTRA!

Q&A with Troy Neiman:

The Northwest Neighborhood Garden Fence Mural

January 16, 2018

*All photos taken by Cait Ni Siomon for The Arts Foundation

New year, new public art

The Northwest Community Garden Fence Mural Dedication and Unveiling
Date: January 27, 2018.
Time: 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Location: Mansfield Community Garden, 2940 North Santa Rosa Place, Tucson, AZ 85712.The first unveiling of an Arts Foundation Public Art project is taking place this month and we couldn’t be more excited about it. Local artist Troy Neiman has been steadily working on this project for the Northwest Neighborhood Association in the Mansfield Community Garden – The Northwest Neighborhood Community Garden Fence Mural. The Arts Foundation had the chance to do a Q&A session with Troy to pick his creative brain and tell us all about it.AF: So, Troy, tell us about this project.
TN: The Northwest Neighborhood project came about as a neighborhood driven/funded public art project. The neighborhood wanted a place-making art piece created with as many recycled materials as possible. A team of dedicated residents, community garden members and Mansfield Park representatives were able to come to an approval of a design which would could be a place-maker piece for the neighborhood, Mansfield Park and the Mansfield Community Garden. The piece is just off the 4th Avenue/Fontana Bike Boulevard and was designed as a steel mural, depicting some neighborhood history and the things that we love about Tucson and the desert. It also functions as a fence. The piece contains many bike elements, mostly the use of recycled bicycles and parts in the layout.AF: What do you like about working with recycled materials?
TN: Creative reusage of materials is characteristic to Tucson and hopefully inspiring to others. I really get inspired when I see some kind of “trash” used in a clever way. That’s just the best. The use of recycled materials is important to me and was something that the neighborhood also wanted to incorporate.AF: What does this project represent for you, personally?
TN: This type of work is very important to me, personally, in many ways. Firstly, as a cyclist, I really want to promote cycling anyway I can. It’s really important to encourage people to use these bicycle routes (such as the 4th Avenue/Fontana Bike Boulevard) because it gets people on bikes and off of the busy streets. Secondly, is that it’s more pleasant. If we can encourage more people to ride on bicycle routes and enjoy cycling, then more will people ride. The more people we have on bikes is better for everyone.

AF: Your involvement with BICAS makes perfect sense! How long have you been there now?
TN: I have been involved with BICAS for over 15 years now.The organization had been working towards buying a building for years and I’m not sure if it was just a coincidence, or maybe destiny, but after this project had begun, BICAS found a new home just a few blocks away from the project location. BICAS looks forward to continuing doing good work in Tucson from the new Northwest Neighborhood Facility.

AF: How have Public Art opportunities through The Arts Foundation helped you make a positive impact within the community?
TN: Many of my personal and public projects have been community based or collaborative work. The Arts Foundation is critical in facilitating these opportunities for artists like myself. The Arts Foundation helps artists navigate the sometimes tricky bureaucracy that comes with some public art commissions and provides the steps needed to take their work to the next level.AF: Has The Arts Foundation Artist Roster helped you get more opportunities to create work in the city?
TN: Definitely. Since signing up for the Artist Roster, I have received two competitive commissions. It’s a really great resource.AF: What have you learned about yourself as an artist through the artwork that you create?
TN: I always enjoy learning new techniques and fun ways to reuse materials.AF: How do you get inspired?
TN: Other peoples trash. And Reggae music. And people. I really like working with the panels that are a big part of projects like this. I enjoy trying to work with every one’s ideas and hearing points of view that I maybe would not have thought of. It takes these project in a direction of its own. I like that the outcome often times feels like it was a collaboration with the group rather than just my work.
AF: What is your favorite thing about the art in Tucson and Southern Arizona?
TN: There are always old favorites and new hidden gems. There are so many people here that I would consider amazingly creative.AF: What is your favorite thing about Tucson?
TN: I love the desert. It’s fascinating. I never planned on coming to Tucson, it just sort of drew me in and kept me. I have now lived here for about half my life. The community welcomed me in. My interests when arriving here were bikes, art and scrap metal sculpture – I guess some things never change.Please join The Arts Foundation along with the Northwest Neighborhood Association as we congratulate Troy and unveil his Northwest Neighborhood Community Garden Fence Mural at a very special dedication in the Mansfield Community Garden!The Northwest Community Garden Fence Mural Dedication and Unveiling
Date: January 27, 2018.
Time: 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Location: Mansfield Community Garden, 2940 North Santa Rosa Place, Tucson, AZ 85712.

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in Tucson and Southern Arizona!

The Arts Foundation is a Supporting Organization of the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona


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