Artists announced for mural at “Slab” basketball courts

(PUEBLO, Colo.) — After the City of Pueblo Parks and Recreation partnered with the Colorado Lottery to update the Elizabeth Street Parkway Outdoor Basketball Courts in Pueblo, also known as the “Slab,” four selected designs are officially ready to be revealed to the public.

In June of 2023, artists and art teams were invited to submit up to four examples of art that were relevant to the project. An important note to artists included the court lines such as boundary lines, free throw lanes, three-point arc and half court line would be aligned over each mural by a court resurfacing contractor.

Each of the designs received compensation of $2,500 per court, provided by the Colorado Lottery.

“We are excited to announce the four winning artists along with revealing the designs we will be able to unveil at the completion of the Slab project in September,” said Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Mike Sexton. “The Slab is such an important part of our basketball community here in Pueblo, so updating the facility and incorporating art into the new courts will be an exciting new feature that brings in the next generation of basketball players.”

The winning mural artists include Tia Monson, Anthony Marinucci, Jazelle Bustos and Chloe Kelly. Each design by the artists is unique to their own style and depicts the love of Pueblo, of basketball or a mix of both themes.

Tia Monson is a Pueblo-based artist who has been creating for the past 35 years, specializing in murals over the past five years. Monson has completed more than 20 murals on the Arkansas River Levee. Monson’s mural has the Colorado Lottery logo in place of a basketball along with large “PUEBLO” lettering.

Anthony Marinucci is a Pueblo-based artist who has dedicated the past 20 years to his passion for photography and graphic art outside of his career as Senior Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis at EVRAZ North America. Marinucci has been a player at the Slab in 3V3 leagues, pickup games and coached his son playing at the Slab. His entry has both the Colorado Lottery logo and the Pueblo sun incorporated along with the Rocky Mountains and the steel mill outline.

Jazelle Bustos is a proud graduate of Marymount Manhattan in New York and enjoys artistic innovation and community involvement. She is dedicated to using her artistic expression as a catalyst for positive change, storytelling and cultural celebration. Bustos’ mural has an outstretched hand reaching for a basketball along with a splattered paint look of dynamic color contrast.

Chloe Kelly is a local artist and creates works with vibrant colors, dynamic forms and capturing the essence of movement. She is an artist who believes her art pieces are a creative expression of the inspiration life offers through time. Kelly’s mural incorporated “PUEBLO SLABS” in graffiti art lettering, many colors and an abstract depiction of a basketball player.

In addition to the court resurfacing, the Slab update project includes new post-tension concrete slab, new posts, backboards, hoops, benches, and upgraded LED lighting. The total estimated cost of the project is $500,000, made possible by Colorado Lottery funds and their commitment to outdoor recreation in Pueblo.

The court updates began on Monday, June 24 and the completion date for the project is anticipated by the end of September.

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