You Gotta Do This", is a compilation of the weekly radio program, hosted by Barry Barbe on KJZA – 90.1. Each week, we go on a different High Country adventure, as we explore our little corner of the world, and the people and businesses that make it all happen.

This week I was supposed to go to Flagstaff for the day and talk to some fellow restaurant owners, and spend the afternoon downtown. I really like Flagstaff, especially their downtown. It has a sense of energy, is eclectic, and has a great “young” feel to it. Perhaps that’s just a sign that I’m getting older, but young was the best way I could describe it. And then... the bench debacle.

Let me start by saying that while I was aware of the “Community Bench”, I never went to Granite Creek Park to see it. And by the time I had any great interest in visiting the bench – it was gone.

So this week I stayed in town. I decided it was time to take a tour of “Prescott Public Art” and spend the afternoon taking it in what others have offered to Everybody’s Home Town. And my companion? My 10-year-old son Simon.

Before Simon and I started, we had a brief discussion about the events that led up to the removal of the bench and how, perhaps unintentionally, it had been deemed a Piece of Art by some. Regardless of the original intentions, and the final outcome, our day of appreciation and touring the public arts in Prescott would not have happened if the bench had remained. Perhaps this can be its legacy.

So with no additional preaching or posturing, we move on.

We started our tour at the Prescott Public Library admiring and discussing the “Mural Beyond Words”. This thing is awesome! As you go out the back door on the main, floor of the library, you are greeted by a colorful depiction of the history of the written word.

Completed in 2009, the mural was a cooperative project with the City of Prescott, Friends of the Prescott Library and the Prescott Mural Project aka: the Mural Mice. – Can I just say 'cool?'

Next Simon and I made our way to the Prescott Parking Garage on Granite Street to view the “Art for All” mural that adorns the south wall of The Frame and I Art Gallery”.

Featuring a history of the performing and visual arts in Prescott for the last 150 years, I would have to say this was our favorite of the day. The thing is incredible.

Anchored by a beautiful mosaic evolving into a phoenix rising, the art for all, the mural depicts painters, writers, stages from the past and present such as the Prescott Center for the Arts, the Horribles and a certain lady who taught ½ of Prescott to play the accordion – she gets recognized? Really?

Next we moved down to Miller Valley Middle School. If you recall this was the controversial mural on the side of the “Historic” middle school. As Simon and I looked it over, we were both a little confused about what people thought was controversial about it. Granted, I also don’t get the “learning to love, loving to learn” banner, but other than that... I like it. More contemporary and definitely geared to a student body – it’s impactful to say the least.

A short distance from the “Go on Green” mural is the Forward to the Future bronze. This was created as an Eagle Scout project to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of scouting, and was Simon’s favorite of the day. – The reason? Quite simple, the little guy is a Scout and was proud to recite the scout’s oath as we stood there.

Within eye distance of the Forward to the Future monument is “Silver Tornado”. A 4,000 pound stainless steel beau moth created by Natalie Krol, Prescott resident and internationally recognized sculptor. Kind of hidden by the trees and shrubs surrounding it – the thing is massive and impressive.

Next, the Sculpture Garden at Yavapai College - another not-to-be missed destination for the outdoor art enthusiast. Offering nine different sculptures, Simon deemed the garden “a great place to read a book.”

Sponsored by the Yavapai College Friends of the Arts, the sculpture garden is free and open to the public every day. Located just south of the performance hall – it’s easy to get to, and a great place to spend an hour or so with a Latté, Boxed Lunch or significant other, your ten year old kid.

And on the square? How could you miss the Rough Rider bronze at the North end of the Plaza, or the Cowboy at Rest on the South end. These are just two of the several traditional commemorative monuments dotting the downtown.

Places Still to Visit:

The Granite Creek Mural directly across the creek from The Dinner Bell Restaurant on Gurley Street. Depicting the evolution of the Granite Creek Watershed, this mural was created by the students of Mile High Middle School along with the Prescott Mural Project, Sharlot Hall Museum, The City of Prescott, the Yavapai Indian Tribe and others.

The JS Acker Park Mural. Featuring realistic images of native wildlife and whimsical nature scenes - the mural covers all four exterior walls.

We wrapped up our day with a lunch at a certain eatery downtown and reminisced about our outing.

Reflections

I know not everyone loves every piece of public art, each piece is simply not for everyone. But, taking a line from the Prescott Mural Project’s web page, “murals work to serve communities like Prescott in so many ways. They are attractive, interesting, positive, educational, friendly, and fun.”

I gotta give props to the Prescott Mural Project and the Mural Mice. All the murals are created by kids from beginning to end. The go through the process of researching history at Sharlot Hall and the Public Library. They work with mentors on learning sketching and painting techniques. So, not only are the murals themselves educational, the entire process is an education.

So whether it’s “Silver Tornado," the Sculpture Garden at Yavapai College, the murals or a bench... Enjoy it while you got it.

For an audio version of the program “You Gotta Do this” scroll down below, and push the orange button.

What's your favorite piece of public art? Tell us below in the comment section.