PHOENIX — Super Bowl fans will get a special welcome in the heart of Phoenix through a mural created by a local artist.
The 190-foot-long and 10-foot-tall mural that showcases the Sonoran Desert’s flora and fauna in vibrant colors and unique patterns is located on Adam Street between 1st and 2nd Streets.
“Definitely the longest mural I’ve done,” said Kayla Newnam. “That was a huge accomplishment, and I’m very proud of how it turned out.”
Newman completed the massive piece of work in seven weeks with the help of community members. She hosted two Community Paint Days, where she invited aspiring artists of all ages, who helped her complete the background.
She was selected to complete the project through a competitive process that garnered 47 submissions. All in partnership between Artlink Inc., Downtown Phoenix Inc., the Phoenix Office of Arts + Culture, and the Phoenix Convention Center, with proceeds from the American Rescue Plan Act.
The mural is to welcome not just the tens of thousands of fans who have descended in the Valley but also those who attend upcoming events like the 2024 NCAA Men’s Final Four and the 2026 NCAA Women’s Final Four.
“It has a lot of details and story elements to it that people will sit and look at it for a while,” Newnam said.
The canvas is a panoramic scene through the Valley of the Sun. It starts with a sunrise and changes scenery every five feet. It highlights Arizona’s famous Gila monster, snakes, and desert plants.
Newman is a Phoenix native and has created public artwork across the city, including “Not Another Bird Mural” on Roosevelt Street.
In March, she will hit the road to finish her "Out There Murals" project. A cross-country trip where Newnam plans to paint a mural in 50 states. She has completed 11 so far.
She hopes to reach more people with every stroke.
“I think art should be for everyone because it makes an impact on people’s days,” Newnam said. “I hope this project accomplishes that.”
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