Wednesday evening, the University of Arizona’s Poetry Center will celebrate the creation of six new murals painted along the Speedway corridor.

The Summer Social: Speedway Corridor Mural Project will be on Wednesday, June 26, at 5 p.m., in Hotel Congress’ Century Room, 311 E. Congress St.

In March 2024, six artists set out to paint six murals along  Speedway near the UA campus in an effort to liven up and beautify the busy street. 

The group of artists – Alley Cat Murals – was founded by Allison Miller, Jenna Tomasello, Monique Laraway, Jodie Lewers Chertudi, Sasha Lewis and Alex Fass. All of the mural designs were inspired by poetry by local writers such as T.C. Tolbert, Leslie Marmon Silko, Brenda Hillman and others. 

The artists will be present at the social for discussions on their work for the project.

Tyler Meier, executive director of the Poetry Center, said in a news release, “The six muralists have done an incredible, diverse and evocative job of imagining textual forms into large-format visual pieces. We’re always interested in the generative possibilities of poetry in relationship with other art forms, especially as a tool to engage new audiences.”

The program will begin at 5:30 p.m. There will be complimentary snacks for the attendees and a cash bar. The Summer Social is a free event.