A new artist venue is rapidly becoming a reality at the Monterey Court Studio Galleries located at 505 W. Miracle Mile. The public is invited to visit April 30^th from 9 AM to 2 PM.

This sneak preview of the great things to come at the former 1940’s era Monterey Court Motel will be part of the 4^th annual Miracle Mile open house on April 30 with lots of interesting events and guided tours planned. More information can be found at: http://www.tucsonhistoricpreservationfoundation.org/event/2011-miracle-mile-open-house-tour It’s free so don’t miss it.

The Monterey Court Studio Galleries <www.MontereyCourtAz.com> are now taking reservations. Their grand opening is scheduled for September. There will be food, art, retail and music, all at this unique location. When you see what they have planned you will be pleasantly impressed.

The courtyard area will have covered pavilion(s) as well as covered porches all with Spanish tile. Many large mature trees have already been planted; expect to see more plants, pavers, fireplace, and an outdoor music and performance area! There will even be covered outdoor spaces available for rent on a daily basis by approval. There is new lighting, heating & cooling, interior and exterior finishes, and more in each unit.

The units available run in size from 158 square feet or as large as 844 sf when multi-units are combined. Each has its own bathroom and some with kitchenettes. They are not live/work spaces but are designed for creating  & selling art.

Monterey Court will provide Tucson with an eclectic mix of art, retail, a music venue and a cafe. Co-owners Greg Haver and Dar Dobroslavic will work hard to make all aspects of the studio galleries and the scene at Monterey Court one that is enjoyable, friendly and well run for the occupants, visitors and friends.

To find out more information or to set an appointment to see the available units contact Owner/Agent Dar Dobroslavic 520.248.9576 or dar@darswebsite.com or Owner/Contractor Greg Haver 520.990.0400

Magic Carpet Neon Sign Saved

UNDER THE NEON STARS fundraiser will be held at historic Hotel Congress’s rooftop April 30. Vibrant neon signs once set historic Tucson aglow and they will again. Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to preserving Tucson’s architectural heritage, seeks to raise $30,000 to restore the neon signs salvaged from Magic Carpet Golf, Medina Sporting Goods and the Arizonan Motel. The cost is about $10,000 to refurbish and reinstall each sign. EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT AS OF 4/22/2010!

As many of us that live in Tucson realize, numerous city icons are slowly disappearing. The very places that gave Tucson its uniqueness have been rapidly replaced with new “stuff” that looks just like new stuff anywhere. With this event, some of our uniqueness will be saved for future generations. The neon signs to be refurbished are classic examples of 50s and 60s nostalgic Americana.

“These signs are part of the character of our city,” said Demion Clinco, President of the foundation. “They were a roadside expression of Tucson’s thriving mid-century modern past. The flickering nocturnal environment attracted people from the highway into Tucson, and restoring these signs could lead to the revitalization of this gateway corridor to Downtown,” he said.

Demion Clinco and Magic Carpet Sign to be restored

The Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation’s mission is to preserve the city’s unique architectural environment. The non-profit advocates for the preservation of Tucson’s architectural resources and is working to preserve the Marist College and the Matus-Meza house in the old Pasqua neighborhood. The organization continually advocates for historic preservation in Tucson and the surrounding area.

Throughout the middle of the 20^th century, Miracle Mile, Oracle Road, and Drachman Street were together known as Tucson’s “Miracle Mile Strip.” This was the northern segment of Tucson’s primary automotive corridor: the vehicular route into the city from the North, a crossroads for those traversing the nation on Routes 80 and 89, and an economic arterial that fostered development in several regionally popular architectural styles. For many, this defined their Tucson experience; for others, it shaped their first impression of the Old Pueblo. Swimming pools, flickering neon and lush grassy courtyards welcomed visitors to motels with names like La Siesta, El Rey, Frontier, and El Rancho. Restaurants served steak and music for under $2.00.

Today, these iconic buildings and glowing signs have emerged from history to provide a persistent reminder of the continuing American fascination with the Automobile, and to enhance our society’s understating of the mythic 20th century West. Classic neon signs still evoke an era of fast cars and a slower pace of life. These wonderful examples of mid-20th century commercial art are an evocative night experience.

Under the Neon Stars event will offer a rare occasion to savor historic Tucson.

The event will begin with a rare opportunity for cocktails and live jazz music at sunset on the rooftop of the historic Hotel Congress.  The event will offer the chance for guests to be photographed in front of the iconic Hotel Congress neon sign, a true part of Tucson history. Dinner in the Copper Room, a silent auction and an exhibition by artists Lucy Masterman and Dirk Arnold will conclude the evening. Nostalgic attire is optional.

Tickets are $125 each, and seating is limited. They can be purchased online at preservetucson.org or by contacting the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation at 520-392-1086

**** EVENT IS SOLD OUT AS OF 4/22/2010!!!!!******

Giant Neon Saguaro Sculpture by Dirk Arnold

It was designed in the spirit of the enduring neon signs of the Miracle Mile area. It stands in the median of Oracle Road, just north of Drachman Street. It’s the public art component of the intersection reconfiguration that removed the roundabout.

The official lighting ceremony will be Monday from 6:15 until 7:00 pm. College Place at 1601 N Oracle Rd is the official gathering place near the sculpture. It’s the former Del Webb’s Hiway House/Statler Hilton hotel on the west side of Oracle. There is plenty of street parking on the side streets on the east side of Oracle.

The Oracle/Miracle Mile area is presently experiencing a major renovation and it is definitely coming back from the degenerated area of the past decade. To see and experience the renewed area I recommend you attend the third annual Miracle Mile Festival, one of the early outcomes of the Oracle Area Revitalization Plan.

This event will be Saturday, April 24, from 9am until 5pm, with the festivities centered by the Oracle and Drachman intersection. This year’s celebration of the Miracle Mile area as Tucson’s historic main motor gateway is sponsored by the area’s new Gateway Business Alliance. There’ll be classic cars, tours of nearby historic sites, food, artists and more. Visit www.celebratehistorictucson.com for more info about the event.

Giant Neon Sculpture Designed by Dirk Arnold (facing north)

Recently installation was completed on one of Tucson’s new public art sculptures designed by local artist Dirk Arnold.  The Neon sculpture, titled “Gateway Saguaro,” is 30 feet tall and is located in the median near Oracle/Adams.

In 1937, what is now Oracle Road from today’s Miracle Mile to Drachman was the first divided highway in Arizona, with roundabouts at both ends. Because of the wide medians, it was considered to be very safe and was called the Miracle Mile of Safety by Arizona Highways. It was part of the main motor route through Tucson, US Routes 80 and 89. The public sculpture project is part of the Oracle/Main/Drachman intersection reconfiguration, which removed the final remaining roundabout that gave the area its name.

After I-10 opened, the area fell into decline and Miracle Mile became synonymous with drugs and prostitution in the minds of many. In the late 70′s the road was renamed to Oracle as a result of that stigma.

The design of the sculpture is homage to the neon signs of the motels and restaurants along the Miracle Mile, a number of which remain. After the Ye Olde Lantern sign came down the artist, Dirk Arnold, felt like the area had lost an iconic image, and wanted the public art he created to be of a similar scale to replace that loss. The Saguaro is an iconic image of Tucson because the city is bracketed by two units of a national park dedicated to the preservation of the Saguaro.

The sign-like structure located in the median was inspired by local historic sign designs. The northbound side says Miracle Mile to remind drivers of the traffic circle that was lost in the project that made the artwork possible, and also to reclaim the name “Miracle Mile” because the area is indeed recovering. The southbound side says Tucson because the Miracle Mile area continues to be the northern gateway into downtown Tucson.

Giant Neon Sculpture Designed by Dirk Arnold (facing south)

This is Arnold’s first public art project and he was selected from a large number of applicants.   The main reason he applied for it was because the Miracle Mile area is one of his favorite parts of town and is the home to many historic neon signs he has recreated in his “Signs of Tucson” refrigerator magnets. (www.endangeredarchitecture.com).

Cook & Company Sign Makers, a locally owned sign shop, fabricated the sculpture. Dirk first got to know Cook & Company when they helped him save and move the Ye Olde Lantern sign into his backyard a couple of years ago. Jude Cook, the owner, has a great appreciation for the vanishing historic neon sign culture of Tucson.

Whereas, the public neon sculpture is not ready as yet for lighting, it will be within the next few weeks.

The area’s Gateway Business Alliance will be hosting a historic open house and tour of the Miracle Mile area on April 24. Details at: www.celebratehistorictucson.com.

I was able to attend last year and highly recommend it to the public.  By visiting the area you will see the amazing progress that has been achieved in the past few years. It will soon be the shining star it once was and artist Dirk Arnold’s giant sculpture will light the way.