A bobcat. A saguaro cactus. A wolf. Police and fire badges. A path system that connects the community. A celestial band with 19 stars. All are part of a mural at Fire Station 182 in Estrella that pays tribute to local guardians.
The City of Goodyear’s newest public artwork, “Guardians of the Wilderness,” was unveiled and dedicated on July 16 at the Estrella Public Safety Facility, 10701 Estrella Parkway. Created by Phoenix artist Kristine Kollasch of Fine Arts & Creative Environments, the mural holds multiple layers of meaning in eight panels of metal and ceramic tiles.
“Local guardians, including police officers, firefighters, and the wildlife you see stepping out your front door here in this beautiful environment are protectors,” Kollasch said. “The mural also features pathways that represent local trails, symbolizing the connections within the community and the natural beauty surrounding us.”
The three-month project was truly a community effort, Kollasch said. This included the idea phase, securing approval from the City of Goodyear Arts & Culture Commission, constructing the mural with Estrella community members, and the installation on June 25.
“Part of what I like to do as a public artist is to create community-based public art. It’s about getting the public involved in a feasible way,” Kollasch said. “One of my strengths is to go into a community and work with all the stakeholders. For this project, we worked primarily with the community of CantaMia. They have their own art program and art room. That was a blessing.”
Kollasch hosted tile-making and glazing workshops, engaging students from Estrella Foothills High School and residents from Estrella’s 55+ community, CantaMia, who created more than 1,000 unique tiles that contributed to the mosaic.
The theme “Guardians of the Wilderness” evolved as the mural was being developed, Kollasch said. Estrella community members were sent a survey asking what they wanted the mural to represent. From approximately 250 surveys that were filled out and returned, three themes resonated: public service, the natural environment, and the path system that winds through the trails of the Estrella Mountains and into the neighborhoods.
“There is no question that the mountains, natural desert, and open trails surrounding Estrella have been our best amenities for almost 40 years. This project encompasses all of those things, and we’re thrilled with the results. Congratulations to everyone involved,” said Jeff Zimmerman, Vice President of Development with Estrella Development Company.
The team from Fine Art & Creative Environments scheduled workshops to begin the tile-making process. More than 50 residents from CantaMia signed up, Kollasch said, with 25 producing tiles in the morning and the other 25 producing tiles in the afternoon. Students from Estrella Foothills High School created the tiles for the saguaro panel.
The frames were built by metal fabricator E2 Innovations and then transported to Kollasch’s studio where the final panels were constructed. All eight panels were laid out, the concrete boards were built, and mosaic tiles placed. Kollasch said her team is especially proud of the celestial band across the top. It includes 19 stars that honor the memory of the Granite Mountain Hotshots who perished in the Yarnell Hill fire in 2013.
“This is truly a community art piece,” Kollasch said. “After the initial workshops, the residents of CantaMia said they wanted to do more. They helped with the glazing process, which took some time. It really helped as we faced a super tight time frame. They did such a great job. This is part of their community.”
CantaMia resident Shirley Davidson, one of the many volunteers who attended the dedication ceremony, carefully examined the mural, looking for her tile. There it was: with the initials of family members who also volunteered.
“I work at the art studio at CantaMia, so I was happy to help those who didn’t know how to work with clay,” Davidson said. “It was so much fun. They had us come back a month later to do glazing. The best part is seeing the flower tiles my family made. This was a true community effort. We are thrilled to be leaving a lasting mark on the City of Goodyear.”
Community leaders who attended the dedication ceremony included members of the Arts & Culture Commission and City of Goodyear Mayor Joe Pizzillo.
Find your new home at Estrella.com and discover why 8,000 families already call this diverse, welcoming West Valley master-planned community home. Located in Goodyear, Arizona amongst pristine mountains and a dramatic desert landscape, Estrella amenities include multiple Residents’ Clubs, resort-style pools and a waterpark, 72 acres of lakes, 65-plus miles of paths and trails, the Yacht Club of Estrella, the award-winning Nicklaus Design course at the Golf Club of Estrella, community welcome center, and more than 50 neighborhood parks.
