WILLCOX — Downtown Willcox is getting a new Art and Heritage Walking Trail highlighting the impact of the railroads on the city’s early history.
The new trail consists of 12 Art and Heritage stops featuring colorful renditions of steam locomotives.
The artsy trains have been individually painted with designs created by artists and community organizations.
This public art will be accompanied by a plaque depicting a bit of regional heritage and culture and distributed at a dozen locations in historic downtown Willcox.
The idea was developed by Willcox Theater and Arts as a project to support and raise awareness of the forthcoming Center of Art and Heritage.
In May 2022, WTA applied to the Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program to support the idea for an Art and Heritage Trail in downtown Willcox.
Union Pacific recognized the importance of this project and awarded WTA the Community Ties Giving Program grant in September.
“The trail not only celebrates the heritage of the area, but also the creativity and community spirit that makes Willcox such a great place to live,” said Gayle Berry, executive director of Willcox Theater and Arts.
“Twelve train engines, each with an accompanying display plaque highlighting some aspect of Willcox heritage, will lead visitors along the Art and Heritage Trail located on the downtown Railroad Avenue corridor.”
Barry says these efforts exemplify the types of projects that integrate all facets of the community, from planning and funding to execution.
In late February 4-foot-by-6-foot partially constructed blank trains were delivered to the volunteer teams, and on April 20 the decorated locomotives began to arrive back to Railroad Avenue.
The train engines were designed and built by longtime WTA volunteers John Cropper, Linda Drew, Scott Raffles and Ron Berry, utilizing WTA’s 3D printers.
Plaques were designed by WTA graphic artist Josh Allred, with historic photos and anecdotes provided by Kathy Klump, president of the Sulphur Springs Valley Historic Society.
Interested creatives and groups were asked to submit design proposals and WTA chose 12.
Trains were decorated by Rose Allen Senior Learning Center, Daughters of the American Revolution Willcox/Cochise, AZ KOA, Joanne Todd Christian School, Myra Fountain, Jodi Brock-Olivares, Blanca Madrid, WHS Science Club, WES After School, Cochise Elementary School, Pencils of Doom Art Club, and Apple Annie’s Orchard.
All the participants were volunteers and used their own supplies, although paints and brushes were provided if requested. There was no fee to participate.
The semi-permanent installations are expected to have a lifespan of one to three years.
“I think this project is great because it helps unite the community and we would love to see more of these projects,” said Wendy Kibler, an artist on one of the trains on behalf of Joanne Todd Christian School. “It was an awesome experience.”
“Projects like this bring a community together, show pride in history and accomplishments,” said Cori Aten, a participant from Cochise School. “I hope the Willcox community enjoys the projects that were completed for the theater and honors the effort/work it took.”
Until they’re distributed to their trail locations some of the locomotives can be seen at the Willcox Theater and Arts row, next to Studio 128.
Locations will be selected to make meaningful connections between the trains’ content, the plaques’ content, and the location on the trail.
A date for the dedication and celebration of the Art and Heritage Trail is yet to be determined but will be announced soon.
WTA is encouraging visitors to tag photos online with the #wtaallaboard hashtag.
Willcox Theater and Arts is at 134 N. Railroad Ave.
For information on WTA, see willcoxtheater.com or call 520-766-3333.
