This abstract metal sculpture, Miller's Crossing , was created by artist Walter Hoel. The piece is made of Metal and was generously Donated by Thomas and Cinda Cole.

• Artist Connection: Walter Hoel has a direct tie to the museum—he is the brother-in-law of Thomas Cole, who is one of the founders of the Casa Grande Art Museum.

The sculpture's form is composed of three main parts: two solid, rusted, diamond-shaped blocks on either end connected by a bowed cage-like structure made of curving metal rods.

Stop Activity: 

The title Miller's Crossing evokes the image of a journey or a structure used for travel, like a bridge or a railroad track. This activity asks you to consider the artwork as a span between two points.

Analyze the Structure: Look closely at the three main parts of the sculpture.

1. • What feeling do the two solid, geometric blocks on the ends convey? (Perhaps permanence, grounding, or a destination.)

   • Observe the central, caged section. Why do you think the artist used curved, thin metal rods for this section instead of solid metal? Does the space between the rods add to the feeling of movement or passage?

Interpret the Title: If this sculpture represents a "crossing," what do you imagine the two ends might signify?

1. • Could it represent the crossing between two places, two ideas, or two different times (like past and future)?

   • The metal is heavily rusted. Does this suggest the age or history of the "crossing," like an old railroad line or a historic bridge?

Reflect on Connection: The artist is related to a museum founder. Consider the artwork as a metaphor for a relationship.

1. • Do the strong, connecting rods suggest the bond between family members, or the bridge built by the community to create this museum?

This collection of curving, light-blue forms is titled Assemblage #1 and was created by artist Deborah Ascheim.

• Material: The sculpture is made from ceramic.

• Donation: The piece was generously Donated by Thomas and Cinda Cole.

• Interactive Art: Unlike many sculptures, this is designated as an interactive sculpture. Visitors are encouraged to walk between the forms to fully experience the artwork.

The sculpture consists of multiple individual elements arranged in a dynamic group, resembling curling flames, breaking waves, or perhaps emerging plants. Its soft color and fluid shapes create a calming contrast to the harsh desert environment and the rigid geometry of the surrounding buildings.

Stop Activity: 

Interact with the Space: Take a moment to walk slowly between the forms as encouraged by the artist.

• How does your perspective change as you move? Do the forms seem taller, closer, or do they completely change shape?

• Notice how the shapes relate to each other—do they look like they are dancing, growing, or flowing together?

Identify the Form: The sculpture is abstract, but the title Assemblage suggests it's a collection of pieces put together.

• What organic element (like fire, water, or plant life) do the soft, curving shapes and light-blue color suggest to you?

• If you could give the whole group a verb, would it be "rising," "turning," or "flowing"?

Reflect on the Arrangement: Stop at different points around the sculpture.

• How does the negative space (the air between the forms) feel? Do the forms feel crowded or balanced?

• Imagine removing one piece. How would the entire composition change? The way you see the piece depends entirely on where you stand!

This open, wire-frame sculptures of horses titled Untitled and was created by artist Bruce West. The piece is made of Metal, and its construction suggests a ghost-like or skeletal form, allowing the viewer to see through the figure to the surrounding garden.

• The sculpture was generously Donated by Thomas and Cinda Cole.

The artist has captured a dynamic pose, with the figure appearing light and poised, despite being constructed from rugged, heavy material.

Stop Activity: 

Identify the Figure: Look closely at the sculpture's outline and posture.

1. • What kind of animal do you see? (Common interpretations include a horse, deer, or other four-legged desert creature).

   • Notice the sparse, curved lines of the metal. If the artist were to fill in the figure, what material would you use to represent the animal's coat or skin? Would it be soft, rough, or smooth?

Observe the Transparency: The open construction of the sculpture means you see the brick wall, the gravel, and the sky through the artwork.

1. • How does this transparency change your perception of the animal? Does it seem faster, more ephemeral, or more connected to the garden than a solid sculpture?

   • Find the horizon line created by the sculpture's back. How does this line interact with the mural behind it?

Give it a Title: The artist left the piece "Untitled." If you had to give this artwork a name based on the feeling it gives you or its appearance in the desert landscape, what would you call it?

Take a moment to appreciate how Bruce West uses empty space and minimal lines to suggest a powerful, moving presence.

This striking work, Man of the Earth, was created from metal by artist Joe Tyler.

• Completion and Donation: The sculpture was completed in 1989 and was generously donated by the estate of Lucile J. Roca of Minnesota in 2012.

• The Artist: Joe Tyler is also the creator of Salex Babylonica (Weeping Willow), another sculpture in the garden. His metalwork extends beyond the museum, as his pieces are also found on bus stop canopies in Tempe, Arizona.

The sculpture fuses human and tree elements—a wide, branching canopy suggests a tree, while a torso-like shape with cascading metal strands implies a figure or head, visually grounding the "man" firmly in the "earth."

Can you find the other piece in the garden by Joe Tyler?

Stop Activity: 

Man of the Earth explores the fundamental connection between humanity and nature, often called the "man-tree" motif. This activity encourages reflection on this deep relationship.

Observe the Fusion: Look closely at the sculpture's form.

1. • Where does the "Man" begin, and the "Earth" or "Tree" take over? Notice how the metal strands flow down from the head/torso, blending into the trunk and roots.

   • How does the sculpture's texture—made entirely of welded metal pieces—emphasize a feeling of being rugged, ancient, or powerful?

Reflect on the Title: The title is simple: Man of the Earth.

1. • What does the canopy (the branches and leaves) suggest about the man's purpose or feeling? Is he offering shelter, or is he simply open to the elements?

   • What message do you think Joe Tyler is conveying about humanity's place in the natural world? Is the man protecting the earth, or is he being sustained by it?

Find Your Roots: Take a moment to imagine yourself as this "Man of the Earth."

1. • If you were standing in his place, with roots connecting you to the ground, what would you feel?

   • What does it mean to you to be "of the earth" in the Sonoran Desert environment?

This abstract, flowing sculpture is titled Ocotillo and was created by artist Lisa Swanson. The sculpture, completed in 2019, is made of Mixed Media.

The artwork represents the Ocotillo plant (Fouquieria splendens), a striking desert shrub known for its long, thorny, whip-like canes that burst into brilliant red-orange flowers after a rain.

A Sculpture with Community Roots

Ocotillo is a collaborative project that highlights the importance of art access in the community.

• The sculpture includes contributions from students of Lisa's Art Mobile program.

• Art Mobile is a nonprofit organization that provides art-making opportunities to underserved populations in Casa Grande, Arizona.

Stop Activity: 

Ocotillo captures the essential movement and life of the desert plant it represents, focusing on flow rather than the plant's sharp thorns.

Observe the Form: Walk around the sculpture and look at its smooth, vertical curves.

1. • Unlike the desert's typical sharp angles, the sculpture is made of gentle, sweeping lines. What part of the Ocotillo plant might these curves and folds represent? (Perhaps a cane bending in the wind, or the unfurling of new leaves after a shower.)

   • Notice how the light and shadows change as you move around it. How does the shadow cast by the sun (visible on the ground) interact with the sculpture itself?

Imagine the Collaboration: The artwork was made with contributions from students in a community art program.

1. • Imagine being one of the students contributing to this piece. What kind of feeling or message might you hope to express by helping create a strong, permanent form like this?

   • The Ocotillo plant thrives in a harsh environment. Does the community involvement in this art piece suggest a theme of growth and resilience?

The exterior wall of this small building, affectionately nicknamed The Chile Hut, features vibrant mosaics created by artist Patty Kramer.

The building serves as a colorful backdrop to the sculpture garden, demonstrating how art can transform even the most utilitarian structures. The use of varied colors, textures, and patterns across the panels brings a warmth and community feel to this outdoor space.

Stop Activity: 

Observe the Materials: Step close (without touching) and examine the materials in the mosaics.

1. • Do you see pieces of tile, glass, stone, or found objects?

   • How does the artist use the texture of the individual pieces to create the overall look of the panel?

Analyze the Patterns: Look at the different panels on the wall.

1. • Each mosaic has a distinct pattern. Can you identify any recurring shapes, such as flowers, suns, or geometric grids?

   • Does one panel seem to tell a story or represent a specific theme more clearly than the others? (For example, look for panels that might depict a desert landscape or plant life.)

Reflect on the Impact: Step back and view the entire wall.

1. • How does the color palette (the range of colors used) of the mosaics contrast with the surrounding desert colors of the gravel and the natural shrubbery?

   • Imagine this wall was simply painted white. How does the addition of Patty Kramer's art change the overall mood or energy of the sculpture garden?

Take a moment to appreciate the labor and detail involved in creating these durable and beautiful outdoor murals.

The Casa Grande Art Museum fence is a collaborative public art project featuring steel sections with unique, integrated stained glass circles designed by Adventures in Stained Glass. The project transformed the museum's entrance from a functional chain-link fence into a welcoming and artistic gateway.

Design and Aesthetics:

The fence is composed of steel panels, with each section uniquely designed to incorporate a vibrant, circular stained glass element. This fusion of industrial metalwork and delicate glass aims to enhance the museum's aesthetic.

Collaboration and Creation:

This was a major community-driven volunteer effort. The metalwork and installation were performed by students from Central Arizona College and volunteer welders, working in partnership with the Casa Grande Art Association.

Purpose and Inspiration:

The project's primary goal was to beautify the museum and create a more inviting and artistic entrance for visitors, replacing the old chain-link structure. The inspiration came from a desire to reflect and enhance the community's artistic spirit.

Project Status:

The fence was a multi-year effort that began around 2019, with the first panel being completed that same year.

The Gus Kratzka House—Home of the Casa Grande Art Museum

Welcome to the building that houses the Casa Grande Art Museum, historically known as the Gus Kratzka House!

This structure, located at the corner of North Maricopa and 3rd Street , was originally built as a residence in 1929. Mr. and Mrs. Gustave Kratzka finished moving into their new home on West Third street (an alternate name for the location) on a Wednesday in 1929 and were beginning to realize the rewards of their extensive planning.

The house emphasizes permanence, comfort, and beauty, featuring seven large rooms designed to be cool in the hot summer or cozy in the winter. A unique feature is the "California cooler"—a large cupboard connected to the basement that keeps items cool without the need for ice. Other interior features mentioned in historical records include a large bathroom with both a shower and a tub.

Architectural Style

The Gus Kratzka House is a large, single-story bungalow.

• Construction: It is built with rusticated concrete block and has a medium-pitched gable roof covered with composition shingles.

• Porch: The main facade features a full-length, open porch with walls of rusticated concrete block and low square piers at the entry and corners. The porch's gable end is stuccoed and tapered with a central peak.

• Other Details: The broad, over-hanging roof has exposed eaves, and the main facade's gable end is bracketed. The house was exceptionally well-maintained when it was inventoried in 1982.

This historic property was entered into the Arizona State Historic Property Inventory on April 16, 1986. Today, it serves as the foundation for the Casa Grande Art Museum and its surrounding Sculpture Garden.