WHAT IS transportation art by youth (TABY)?
In collaboration with the Pima Association of Governments (PAG) and the City of Tucson Department of Transportation, the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona (Arts Foundation)– through the Transportation Art by Youth Program (TABY) – employs six to eight youth artists between the ages of 16 to 18 to assist and learn from a professional artist in the design and production of public art during the summer. The goals of the TABY project are to provide youth with an opportunity to be employed and participate in all phases of the design and creation of a public artwork under the guidance of a professional artist. The outcome is artwork of a quality comparable to current public art standards with the teaching artist serving as a mentor to youth artists.
2024 TABY OVERVIEW
During the summer of 2024, Artist Hirotsune Tashima led the eight-week program with eight youth artists. Together, the artist team designed, produced and installed six 3D concrete sculptures and six double-sided interactive puzzle murals made of recycled metal street signs. The artwork includes imagery of dogs and names of dogs from the community as a place-making and wayfinding strategy, Ward 4 Office’s vision to invite people to the new Wagging Tails Dog Park.
The artists worked closely with a public art panel of community members on the project design and engaged with the public by interviewing users of the dog park and receiving over 200 dog names from the community, which served as inspiration for all the dog breeds and names present in the artwork. The artwork also includes common birds that are found at the park and along Atterbury Wash.
the process
1. design
Artists made site visits and interviewed dog owners at Wagging Tails Dog Park.
Design Meetings: Artists heard from the Public Art Panel on community interests and created mock ups of design concepts.
2.fabrication
For the murals, the artists cut the metal signs and drilled them down to a backing. Dog silhouettes were cut out and painted. Dog names and breeds submitted by the community were printed in vinyl and applied by hand.
For the sculptures, the artists carved the shape of the sculptures and prepared it for concrete. Concrete was applied with precision, then covered it with a colored overlay.
3.installation
Artists help dig with shovels and augers. Accordion murals and sculptures were installed.
Artists touched up artwork on site.
The celebration and final artwork
On July 27th, the 2024 TABY Ribbon Cutting took place and we celebrated the artists and the beautiful public art pieces they worked on for eight weeks to bring life to the entrance that currently serves as a wayfinding of the Wagging Tails Dog Park on 8330 E Escalante Road.
This video by the City of Tucson highlights moments during the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and includes interviews with the artists and organizers behind 2024 TABY.
The Artwork
After the project wrapped, we worked with local photographer Julius Schlosburg to document the finalized artwork created by the TABY team. The vibrant, youth-designed pieces now serve as the wayfinding entrance to Wagging Tails Dog Park and will welcome visitors for years to come. This lasting installation celebrates community, creativity, and the collaboration between youth artists and Teaching Artist Hiro Tashima.
