Arizona Contractor & Community Fall 2015 V4 I3 | Page 32

Image courtesy of Pueblo Grande Museum, City of Phoenix

allowed to make personal marks in the
adobe and imbed a meaningful object
subject to the approval of the artist.
The bridge’s six support columns are
another unusual aspect of Zwak’s design.
Based on a pottery design found in the
earlier excavation, Zwak selected a frog
symbol. While initially the engineers
doubted the viability of the design, they
soon determined that it would be possible
to construct and reinforce the columns
with the adobe covering the concrete
form. Even more surprising was that this
bridge project, built by Tanner
Construction, came in on time and $1
million under budget in 1990. No
additional work was required until ForeSite
Design and Construction handled the
restoration issues of the bridge in 2013.
Once again, Zwak did any restoration
needed on the adobe art.

Thus, “Our Shared Environment” with
adobe murals more than 135 feet long and
11 feet high was created, with the project
ultimately winning a number of honors
including the Valley Forward Crescordia
Award, a Greek term that means “To Grow
in Harmony,” in 1991. As the City of
Phoenix’s Office of Arts and Culture
celebrates its 30th anniversary, it’s an
excellent occasion to enjoy this
magnificent example of public art which
changed what could have been an ordinary
bridge into something spectacular.
Top: Soil Systems, Inc. conducting
archaeological excavation, 1990.
Bottom left: Marilyn Zwak at Thomas Road
overpass.
Bottom right: Marilyn Zwak constructing
wire mesh form.

Images courtesy of The Phoenix Office of Arts & Culture

construction began on this section of the
freeway.
After an extensive artist selection
process, the city hired Marilyn Zwak from
Cochise County to create the art associated
with the Thomas Road overpass. A multitalented, self-taught artist, Zwak’s works
made use of natural resources. And her
proposed freeway project was no different.
However, the Thomas Road overpass
proved to be unusual for a number of
reasons. Working with Cannon and
Associates, Inc., the consulting engineers
on the project, Zwak suggested that her art
ideas would reduce the number of
standard bridge designs and “bring
character to the community.” It was not an
easy task, for Zwak planned her art to be
made from adobe which would come from
the Cave Creek Adobe Company.
Nevertheless, there were some major
obstacles to overcome with this
construction project. Normally, the artist’s
design is fabricated by another firm and
then installed. Not this time. Zwak built
massive raised wire mesh forms for each
figure at her ranch in Cochise County and
then transported them to Phoenix. These
were then mounted on the overpass
abutment walls before the application of
the adobe. Zwak’s figures were inspired by
Hohokam pottery designs with an added
whimsical twist.
Freeman recalls that it took a lot of
“convincing,” along with a leap of faith for
the next part of Zwak’s plan. The artist
wanted to include members of the
community displaced by the freeway when
the adobe was applied to the mesh frames.
Despite the city’s initial concern regarding
liability issues, community volunteers were

Thirty two

Fall 2015