The Girl Who Painted Tempe

The Girl Who Painted Tempe is both a mural at the Westside Multi-Generational Center and a story that invites all who encounter it to see possibility in the future of our City. The mural is comprised of panels connected through imagery and color into a narrative about a young girl's dream of the city. The elusive fox makes an appearance, a bus stop becomes the beginning of a fantastic adventure, the flour mill reflects her connections to other people, and her yard turns into a jungle. One panel flows into the next to create a complex story of possibility. The visions are not unlike those experienced in childhood. Artist Clyde Thompson has created a mural that asks the public to consider their own visions of Tempe. In doing so, the artwork is a reminder that imagination is never out of reach if only we are willing to look for inspiration in our daily lives.