The Town of Fountain Hills has installed nine new murals throughout Downtown, further enhancing the community’s public art program and sense of place.

The Town partnered with Art State Arizona (formerly the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance) to issue a national Call to Artists to select muralists for the project. More than 15 artists applied, with four artists selected: Jesse Perry, AnnMarie Perry, Cheri Reckers, and Anthony (Eli) Farias.

“The murals continue to excite and inspire the community,” said Economic Development Director Amanda Jacobs. “While Jesse was working on his mural in Fountain Hills, the newly reopened Streets of New York hired him to install three additional murals, demonstrating the ripple effect public art can have on local businesses and artists.”

During fiscal year 2023–2024, the Town Council dedicated $25,000 toward the ongoing installation of downtown murals as part of its commitment to public art and placemaking.

• Jesse Perry completed a mural near Fountain View Coffee at Plaza Fountainside, which features a hummingbird surrounded by birds and marks Perry’s fourth mural in Fountain Hills.
• Cheri Reckers installed three murals at the entrance to Plaza Fountainside along El Lago Drive, inspired by the surrounding desert landscape.
• Anthony (Eli) Farias completed two murals at the corner of Saguaro Boulevard and Paul Nordin Drive, showcasing desert scenery at dusk, including a vibrant lizard and quail framed by two prickly pear cacti.
• AnnMarie Perry completed three murals along La Montana Drive, leading to the International Dark Sky Discovery Center, library, and River of Time Museum. These murals are inspired by Fountain Hills’ designation as an International Dark Sky Community.

“Across Arizona, public art is helping communities tell their stories out loud,” said Kate Marquez, CEO & Founder of Art State Arizona. “It reflects who we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re going. When art is integrated into public life, it becomes a catalyst for connection, resilience, and a stronger sense of place.”

The four participating artists are Arizona locals: 

AnnMarie Perry
Perry is a renowned spray-paint artist whose creations delve into themes of nature, space, and fantasy. Over her 16-year career, she has cultivated a unique style that seamlessly fuses elements of nature with surrealism. Born in 1969 in Erie, Pa., she exhibited a natural talent for art from a young age. After experiencing homelessness for several years, she began her journey with a backpack filled with paint and an armful of paper.

By participating in small art shows in Arizona, Perry quickly gained recognition for her creations. With her presence at numerous popular fairs and a viral video, she amassed a significant following. She often uses oil painting techniques to achieve her vision. She is known for use of bright, bold colors. Her unique perspective is evident in the way she brings her clients’ vision to life.

Anthony (Eli) Farias

Anthony Eli Farias is an Artist based in Phoenix. He spent the last 10 years making art professionally and has experience working on multiple surfaces like block walls, concrete, wood panels, and metal surfaces such as electrical boxes. He is always learning new techniques and willing to receive any insight. Much of Farias’ creative endeavors have been motivated by his grandmother who also gave him his middle name that eventually became his artist monicker.

Jesse Perry

Jesse Perry is a renowned artist based in Phoenix and has been working as a professional artist since 2013. With over 150 murals attributed to his name, he is known for his vibrant and dynamic creations and possesses a unique ability to bring life and energy to his artwork. Perry’s work has gained recognition both locally and nationally, and his passion for his craft shines through in every stroke. With a distinctive style that is unmistakably his own, he continues to make a profound impact on the Phoenix art scene and beyond. One of his favorite parts of working on projects is also getting to capture the process on film. For years, Perry has recorded himself painting, making timelapse videos he shares online for the world to see. You can watch some of his work on YouTube at Jesse Perry Art. 

Cheri Reckers

Cheri Reckers lives in the Sonoran Desert and creates paintings, mosaics, sculptures and wearable art for museums, galleries and public and private spaces. Her award-winning work is frequently inspired by patterns, textures and colors found in nature and her surroundings. 

She likes to have fun with lively colors and repetitive shapes and create a bit of "sophisticated whimsy" in her art. Reckers graduated with honors from the Columbus College of Art and Design and was recently featured in Fox 10’s recurring “Made in Arizona” segment. 

For more information about Fountain Hills’ commitment to public art, please visit experiencefountainhills.org.