Art Walk

Untitled (Rose Garden Bridge)

Joe A. Tyler

2013

Rose Garden - West

The Rose Garden at MCC received a grant from the Stanley Smith Horticulture Trust resulting in up to $40,000 for a variety of garden projects including bridges so students can safely cross the retention area near the corner of Southern & Dobson, rose arbors, benches, a trellis, and other artistically designed enhancements.

Transition

Beatriz Blanco

1984

Rose Garden - West

Transition and Blanco's sculpture Presence on the Path examine the human figure in movement. Donated by the Tempe Art Center, 2000.

Presence on the Path

Beatriz Blanco

1984

Rose Garden - East

Blanco's piece explores the loneliness experienced by people when surrounded by others. Donated by the Tempe Art Center, 2000.

College Garden Station

Joe A. Tyler

2004

Rose Garden - East

This artwork provides seating and shade for those waiting for a bus or enjoying an afternoon in the Rose Garden. Trees for Travelers was presented by the Arizona Federation of Garden Clubs.

Blue Star Memorial

2005

Rose Garden - East

A tribute to the armed forces that have defended the United States of America in the past, present, and future. Awarded by the Arizona Federation of Garden Clubs.

Sacrament

Kevin Berry

1992

LA 3 - North

Sacrament was created as part of MCC's Art in Public Places program. The sculpture functions as both a rainwater collector and filtering device and also pays homage to the Salt River and the ancient people that once lived on its banks.

Sacrament, completed in 1992 by Kevin Berry, pays tribute to the Salt River and the ancient people that once lived on its banks. The structure is made of bronze and filled with stones.

The Welders

Richard H. Dyer, Jr.

2010

BP 43A - West

Welded - Steel sculpture

The sculpture was created by MCC welding student and Mesa Independent Managing Editor Richard Dyer, who donated it to the college.

Soleri Bells

Paolo Soleri

1968

LB 11 - Lobby

The Soleri Bells were created by Paolo Soleri. This original bell sculpture is anchored on a one-of-a-kind cast aluminum spine and is a rich part of MCC's history as a gift from the class of 1968. The cast bronze bells were refurbished and reinstalled in January 2010. The absence of the artist's inscription indicates that the piece was made before Soleri began signing his art.

Linkage

Barbara Gryutis

1999

LB 11 - Lobby

A series of interlocking ribbons intersecting at a column create imagery connecting the pathways of the college campus.

Linkage was designed by Barbara Gryutis in 1999. The artist integrates art with architecture, incorporating the imagery of interlocking ribbons throughout the sidewalks and walkways leading to the Paul A. Elsner Library, to express the relationship between the college, its environment and the community.

Big OU

Hiroki Tanaka

1987

LB 11 - South

According to the artist, this kinetic sculpture challenges viewers perception of science and reality because the cables are stressed to their limits to support the geometric forms. Together the "O" and the "U" represent stillness and calmness of the yin and yang forces. A view from the library's third floor Southwest Reading Room provides an amazing view of the sculpture as well as MCC's campus and clocktower. Donated by Tempe Art Center, 2000.

Tree of Life

James Schwarz/Barry Unitas Barnes

2017

LS 12 - South

MCC alumnus James Schwarz captures the beauty of science. The hanging triangles of the sculpture represent the categorization of biological organisms, which can be traced to larger bodies of organisms. The more organisms found in a group, the larger the tile. Numbers on the tiles also represent their placement within the classification. Artist Barry Unitas Barnes created the support sculpture.

Dance of the Chromosomes

Reece Grissom

2018

LS 12 - 2nd floor

In these three life drawings, the artist, Reece Grissom, uses human figures to represent the chromosomes during mitosis. A cell’s life cycle consists of two major stages: Interphase and Mitosis. In Interphase, where the genetic material exists as a very thin network throughout the nucleus, called chromatin. During this stage, the DNA is replicated. In mitosis, the “mother” cell produces two “daughter” cells that contain the same genetic information and number of chromosomes as the original “mother” cell. In humans, there are 46 chromosomes in each cell but the number varies, dependent on the species. Mitosis results in growth, development and repair.

Artist Reece Grissom taught biology at GateWay Community College for 29 years and retired in 2013. The idea for this series of drawings came from a description of mitosis, often used in textbooks, calling it “The Dance of the Chromosomes.” Grissom has taken dance classes at MCC for more than 35 years and used her experience in dance to help her visualize the biological process with the movements and poses of dancers bodies.

Single Hex Star

2004

MC 5 - East

Metal wind sculpture.

Single Helix

2004

MC 5 - East

Metal wind sculpture.

Double Helix Horizontal

2004

MC 5 - East

Metal wind sculpture.

AllisOneenOsillA

Geoff Coppola, Madeleine Chowdhury, Robert Holmes

2017

MC 5 - West

MCC alumnus Geoff Coppola's AllisOneenOsillA, a palindrome for All is One, One is All, was created in collaboration with MCC mathematics faculty Madeleine Chowdhury. The live-edge steel frame was crafted by MCC welding faculty Robert Holmes with assistance by Merri Stafford, a former welding student. Geometrically, it represents a dodecagonal quasicrystal similar to four other murals at MCC. Composed of 2,600 ceramic blocks, the piece weighs 1.1 ton. All is One, One is All infers the dynamic interconnection and co-evolution of a community, both holistically and individually. It symbolizes the unity and dedication of students and educators to innovation and creativity in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM).

"Tawhid" (Making One)

Linda M. Speranza and Madeleine Chowdhury

2008

MC 5 - North

A clay mural on cement backing incorporating both the art and math disciplines.

"Ummah" (Community)

Linda M. Speranza and Madeleine Chowdhury

2008

MC 5 - East

A clay mural on cement backing incorporating both the art and math disciplines.

The Future Is Indigenous

2021

Alyssa "Aly" Masaquaptewa

36N - American Indian Institute

This mural combines many elements of the Arizona landscape, as well as an homage to the diversity among Native people, all coming together under the MCC Thunderbird mascots. The mascots are separated by an image of the traditional I’itoi (pronounced EE-toy), also known as the Man In The Maze, a prominent motif within the culture of the O’odham people of Arizona, which symbolizes ones journey through life, experiences along the way, and an eventual ending.

The artist's talent with the paintbrush was heavily influenced by her family of Hopi artists, none more important to her than her grandfather, the renowned Anthony Honahnie from Tuba City, AZ. Her work is focused on bringing together both traditional and urban Native American lifestyles.

Stained Glass Thunderbird - 1978

1978

36N - North

Originally constructed for $8,200, the T-bird was designed as a landmark for a then fledgling community college campus. Now standing in the eastern shadow of another campus icon—the clock tower—the MCC Thunderbird greets those coming and going from the athletic fields to the student center along the main east/west pedestrian walk that runs across most of the campus.

Generations Mural

2016

ST28 - West

This student-designed 60’ x 20’ mural on the west side of Studio 28 incorporates many themes highlighting the heritage of the Southwest. Women’s rights, the cultural gap between generations, urbanization, water rights and the concept of past, present and future are all interwoven into the design, which seeks to bring awareness to the good and bad consequences of expansion. The project involved months of student research, design and execution and included a Community Paint Day, which drew over 70 participants from MCC and the community.

Completed in Spring 2016 under the direction of artist Hugo Medina. This collaborative project was overseen by a cross-disciplinary team and made possible through a 2015-16 Maricopa Center for Learning and Instruction grant and MCC contributions.

Elevated Desert

Laurie Lundquist

1992

TH 29 - North

Elevated Desert was designed by Laurie Lundquist, whose concept was to raise the desert floor up to eye-level. The artwork provides passersby shade and a place to rest. The tree that grows through the center of the structure was not part of the original design, but during construction she decided to keep it. This exhibit is part of MCC's Art in Public Places program with a purpose to add environmental art to the campus that would be both functional and visually appealing.

Sentinels to the East

Joan Waters

2004

Art Gallery - East

A watchtower that watches over the campus with a leafy top that suggests growth.

The Hands

Luo Xiaoping

2007

TH 29 - East

The Hands, built by Luo Xiaoping in 2007, symbolizes the nurturing role of education. The sculpture also provides a unique seating area for students and theater goers. This piece is the first permanently installed piece in the United States by this renowned Chinese artist.

Interlude in Clay

Sara Brandt, Sarah Brodie, Sam Hodges

2003

TH 29 - North

MCC students Sam Hodges, Sara Brandt and Sarah Brodie under the supervision of Linda Speranza.

Shrine

Randy Ashenfelter

2009

TH 29 - North

Caution Do Not Open

Sarah Brodie

2009

TH 29 - Northeast

Untitled

Linda M. Speranza

2009

AC 30 - West

Corten steel and ceramic

Inside/Outside

Otto Rigan

1992

AC 30 - West

Four glass and marble chairs for functional seating. Part of MCC's Art in Public Places program.

Inside/Outside is made of mirrored glass and stone and was designed by Otto Rigan to be both a functional seating area and a symbolic representation.

Mizan

Linda M. Speranza and Madeleine Chowdhury

2008

AC 30 - West

A clay mural on cement backing incorporating both the art and math disciplines.

The Elements of Design

Sam Hodges

2014

AC 30 - West

"Salam" (Peace)

Linda M. Speranza and Madeleine Chowdhury

2008

AC 30 - South

A clay mural on cement backing incorporating both the art and math disciplines.

Art As Community

Helen Osman

2013

AC 30 - South

Shifting Arizona Sands

Linda M. Speranza

2009

AC 30 - East

The Principles of Design

Sam Hodges

2010

AC 30 - East

The installation of six colorful ceramic mural pieces added visual interest to the southeast corner of the AC Building at MCC’s Southern and Dobson Campus. Created by artist Sam Hodges, she said the pieces will serve as a teaching aid for art students in years to come.

Rod Hammil Welding Technology Metal Art

2016

52 - West

This was a hands on class fabrication project shared with the welding and horticulture programs. Students built this project during Fall 2016 semester. Welding students now have a designated break area proudly built in the welding lab and installed in place.

Added to the break area is a stainless steel sculpture of a welder operator in training as a symbol of the program's location on campus.