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The primary objective of this project was to give the community a strong sense of historical identity through a common theme and to unify a large section of one of the major streets in the area, Dunlap Avenue. The artist created a combination of elements and artifacts taken from both past and present Sunnyslope. These items are cast and sculpted in bronze and inlaid into the sidewalks.



The artwork at Dunlap and Central Avenue attracts admiration due to its physical properties as well as it conceptual foundation. Placing focus on the marks which humans leave on the earth, artist Kevin Berry has created a work of art that reflects the same people who interact with the piece on a daily basis. In his project proposal, Berry explained that although many people would interact with the artwork, it would primarily impact the people of Sunnyslope due to its location.

The purpose of the Dunlap Avenue Streetscape was to combine three themes within one work of art. The first theme is historical in nature. At one time, Sunnyslope was a mining community and home to the Desert Mission, a hospital for those suffering from tuberculosis. Reference to this era is made with castings from old medical equipment and mining tools collected by business owners in the area. The second, relating to transportation, combines footprints, bike track tires, automobile tires, and animal prints. The trail is defined with these markings and is connected to imagery used in the artwork inside of the nearby transit center. Finally, the third aspect of the project focuses on Sunnyslope’s surrounding desert landscape. In this portion of the project, emphasis is placed on items found in the desert, ranging from plants to old bottles left by hikers.

The community’s involvement was an important aspect in the preparation and research of the project. Berry spent numerous hours researching the files and photographs of the Sunnyslope Historical Society and meeting with members of the community. The information that he gathered was then transformed into a piece made of cast bronze objects set in concrete along pedestrian walkways. The result is a visual diary of the community.

About the Artist
Kevin Berry received a Master of Fine Arts degree in Sculpture from Arizona State University. His artwork can be found in several public and private collections and he has completed numerous public art projects regionally.