Calexico, CA
Creating a welcoming plaza at the US/Mexico Border
The Project
Prior to the pandemic, the City of Calexico received a grant from the Southern California Council of Governments to create Rockwood Promenade, a new pedestrian plaza on a commercial corridor downtown, across the street from the bustling border with Mexicali. With planning for that project underway, the City sought an Asphalt Art Initiative grant to enhance the promenade with eye-catching artwork, selecting a proposal from Andrew Armstrong and Anthony Sigala that featured an overhead view of the region’s traditional folklorico dancers as well as migrating butterflies.
Following months of outreach to residents and adjacent businesses, the City installed the promenade in December 2022, drawing a number of volunteers who assisted Armstrong, Sigala and the Calexico Arts Council in the painting of the mural on the newly pedestrianized corridor. In the weeks that followed, the City added tables, chairs, greenery and decorative protective barriers to turn the new space in an active, inviting plaza and provide a new location for public events, while it continues to seek additional feedback from the community on what future phases of the promenade would look like.
“It’s been known that where you bring art, people tend to congregate. It builds a sense of community, a hot spot for events.”
Gilberto Manzanarez, Calexico City Council Member
Use the slider to see the transformation
Press
Asphalt Art Project Beautifies Rockwood Avenue (Holtville Tribune, December 6, 2022)
Calexico Arts Council paints promenade with City (Imperial Valley Press, December 5, 2022)
Artwork Selected for Rockwood Ave. Asphalt Art Project (Holtville Tribune, November 4, 2022)
For inspiration and tips for the creation of art on roadways and public places, download the Bloomberg Associates Asphalt Art Guide which features successful plaza and roadway art activations around the world, as well as key steps for developing such projects.
