Mural to be unveiled downtown

When artists have an exceptionally big vision, sometimes they need the side of a building as their canvas. The historic Lane Building in downtown Yuma now boasts such a massive mural, which will be unveiled today (Tuesday) with a special lighting ceremony. The public event is set for 7:30 p.m. behind the Lane Building at Maiden Lane and 3rd Street.

Special guests will be Chet and Dora Lane, who not only offered their building for the project but also made a financial contribution. Additional funding came from Yuma Crossing Heritage Area and Yuma's Parks and Recreation Department.

The mural is the work of local artists Cortni Sinz and Claudia Reveles.

Visible from Interstate 8, it celebrates the history of Yuma by showing images such as historic buildings, famous local people, a Quechan person and the Colorado River, according to a news statement from the city.

One of this project's goals was to partner an established artist with someone just beginning to venture into art.

Sinz is an art educator at Arizona Western College and Yuma Catholic High School. She also belongs to the North End Artists' Cooperative.

Reveles is a 2007 graduate of Yuma Catholic and plans to attend AWC in the fall.

City leaders say they hope the mural will draw more visitors into the downtown area.