“Moving Memories” – Arizona 9/11 Memorial
Phoenix, Arizona
A memorial for Arizona’s response to a tragic day
Cultural, Public
Touch Home, Reach Sky
A Beacon of Community and Inclusion
Client
Flagstaff Public Library
Location
Flagstaff, AZ
Size
22000 sq ft
Expertise
Public Art
Project Team
In the heart of Flagstaff, where the sky stretches boundlessly above, and the rich tapestry of Northern Arizona’s culture and nature unfolds, the Flagstaff Public Library features “Touch Home, Reach Sky.” This sculpture installation, nestled within the library’s newly reimagined entry plaza, is a testament to the power of community, accessibility, and environmental harmony.
Crafted with the collective vision of the City of Flagstaff, the Beautification, Arts & Sciences program, and artist Maria Salenger of Jones Studio, this project embodies a collaborative spirit. The installation, composed of 45 sculptural lanterns reminiscent of pages turning in the wind, guides visitors along accessible pathways to the library’s new “front porch” and main entrance.
The sculpture series is arranged in distinct clusters, each narrating a different aspect of Northern Arizona’s identity. The designs etched into these metallic leaves—celestial patterns, ponderosa pine, railroads, the San Francisco Peaks, the iconic Route 66, and the Lowell Observatory dome—tell a story of a land steeped in history, science, and the arts.
Each sculptural lantern is illuminated with dark-sky-compliant lighting. As night falls, the sculptures, lit by the warm glow of amber lights, create a gathering place reminiscent of a campfire, drawing people together in a shared moment of reflection and connection.
Innovative in its design and impactful in its reach, “Touch Home, Reach Sky” is simultaneously an art installation and a platform for ongoing community expression and learning. The sculptures, designed to be adaptive, invite future artistic installations, ensuring that the plaza remains a living, evolving representation of Flagstaff’s community spirit.
“Touch Home, Reach Sky” stands as a beacon in Flagstaff, embodying the aspirations of a community deeply rooted in its natural surroundings and committed to fostering an inclusive, culturally rich public realm. The project has transformed the library’s entrance into a vibrant communal space and set a new standard for integrating public art into the city’s urban fabric. Through the celebration of landscape, history, and collective creativity, this installation invites all who wander through the library’s plaza to pause, reflect, and reach skyward together.
