The artist designed this piece to serve as a welcoming entry marker to students and the neighborhood. It was also designed to function as a play/performance area for students that is shaded by a ramada constructed of brightly colored steel cut-outs representing subjects from the schools' curriculum. The project features a system of mesas and patios, a ramada, a colonnade, a drinking fountain, a performance area, game boards, as well as surface detailing including the English/Spanish alphabet, math symbols, and a ceramic tile map of Arizona.



When the William T. Machan School was selected as the site for this project, it was seen as an opportunity to directly benefit the neighborhood surrounding the premises. Located at the east side of the campus, Machan Oasis faces 22nd Street. The direct connection between the school and the adjacent neighborhood speaks of the importance of education within the community.

The project combines shelter from the sun with a unique selection of learning tools. The surface details of the patio include an English/Spanish alphabet, math and punctuation symbols, yard and meter sticks, and a ceramic map of Arizona. All of these details help to place the school’s curriculum into the world at large.

In order to create the project, artist Ginny Ruffner visited the William T. Machan School several times. During each visit, Ruffner met with students, parents, and school representatives in order to research the needs of the community. These meetings provided direct information that was then incorporated into the final design plan. According to the artist, “The oasis acknowledges regional topography, architecture, lifestyle, and environment. It provides an identity for the school and an invitation to students, faculty, staff, and neighbors to play, learn, and dream.”

About the Artist
Ginny Ruffner is a Seattle, Washington based artist who works primarily with glass. Her work can be seen in the permanent collections of the American Craft Museum in New York, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Detroit Institute of the Arts, among others. In addition to her smaller scale pieces, Ginny Ruffner has completed many public art projects nationwide.