News from: The City of Indio

As another way to reinvigorate our community after an exceptionally challenging year, the City of Indio has revived its Traffic Signal Box (TSB) program.  The program will both support local artists, and beautify some unexpected places with new artwork.

“We want to think outside the (traffic signal) box and offer a theme that celebrates the wide imaginations of our local artists,” said Debra Alleyne, Public Art Management Analyst. “The theme ‘Dreamscapes’ invites artists to share with us the images that ignite their dreams that can beautify, inspire, and celebrate the beauty and diversity of our community.”

The TSB program strives to enhance the pedestrian and driving experience by incorporating artwork into the streetscape, minimize graffiti on traffic signal boxes, and make them artful objects.

To kick off the program, two works of art were selected for installation at the intersections of Highway 111 at Oasis and Highway 111 at Smurr Streets. The selected artists, Janet Zepeda (The Good Hug) and Jaye Elle (Conclave in Eden), are both Coachella Valley natives and current residents. Their work was chosen for otherworldly dreamscapes and their ability to capture themes of transcendence, relevant to the dystopian times we are all currently experiencing.

This rebooted program is open to artists who reside in the Coachella Valley. Artists will be paid $750 per selected image. The application process is simple. Only online submissions using the this online portal will be accepted. The TSB committee will review applications on a rolling basis, make recommendations to the Public Arts Commission and selected artists will be notified. For full guidelines, please visit the Traffic Signal Box page on the City’s website at www.indio.org/tsb.