Joe Pagac works on 5,0000-square-foot mural (above) at Grant and Campbell in Tucson for Banner University Medicine commissioned project. It’s the largest ever for a city of murals.
Four local artists were chosen by Banner – University Medicine to paint murals to brighten the streets of Tucson that celebrate their artwork and health.
One on the north wall of the old Catalina Cineplex Odeon movie theater at Grant Road and Campbell Avenue may leave you scratching your head, as it features whales flying across the desert reminiscent of the “Flight of the Whales” sequence from the movie “Fantasia 2000.”
It’s one of five playful wall murals being installed in June 2019 as part of a public art project commissioned by Banner – University Medicine. And, at 5,000 square feet, it’s the largest mural in the city. The Tucson-area artists and locations for where their mural are follow (click images for full-size versions of what the finished murals will look like):
- Joe Pagac, 2320 N. Campbell Ave.
- Jessica Gonzales, 2425 N. Oracle Road
- Ignacio Garcia, 246 N. Fourth Ave.
- Lalo Cota, 1) 3443 E. Speedway Blvd. and 2) 3540 N. Oracle Road
“The city’s vibrant arts scene and colorful murals are part of what makes Tucson special,” said 
Chad Whelan, MD, CEO of Banner – University Medicine in Tucson and an internist with the UA Department of Medicine. “We were looking for relaxing artwork that speaks to health, healing and togetherness.”
In Tucson, Banner – University Medicine is the academic arm of nonprofit Banner Health that operates Banner – University Medical Center Tucson, Banner – University Medical Center South and Banner – University Medical Group, the practice group of University of Arizona physician faculty.
For more information on the artists and their murals, CLICK HERE.
About Banner – University Medical Center Tucson and South
Banner – University Medical Center Tucson, nationally ranked as a Best Hospital by U.S. News and World Report, and Banner – University Medical Center South, are part of Banner – University Medicine, a premier academic medical network. These institutions are academic medical centers for the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson. Included on the two campuses are Diamond Children's Medical Center and many specialty clinics. The two academic medical centers are part of Arizona-based Banner Health, one of the largest nonprofit health-care systems in the country, with 28 hospitals in six states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. For more information, visit BannerHealth.com/UniversityTucson, BannerHealth.com/UniversitySouth, BannerHealth.com/UniversityNorth or BannerHealth.com/UACancerCenter
ALSO SEE:
“New Murals by Local Artists Brighten Tucson Streets” | (UAHS Office of Public Affairs) Posted June 19, 2019
“Banner-University Medicine commissions 5 new murals to brighten Tucson’s landscape” | (KOLD News13 Tucson) Posted June 19, 2019
“Five new murals coming to the Old Pueblo” | (KVOA News4 Tucson) Posted June 19, 2019
“Five new murals going up in Tucson this week” | (KGUN9 On Your Side) Posted June 19, 2019
“Local artist paints largest mural in Tucson” | (KVOA News4 Tucson) Posted June 14, 2019