Contributed Article/Courtesy City of Safford
SAFFORD — Something colorful is coming to the Safford City-Graham County Library.
Beginning in mid-September, internationally recognized muralist Molly Keen will begin transforming the library’s exterior north wall into a large-scale mural inspired by the history, landscape, stories, and character of Safford and the Gila Valley.
The community selected the mural through a public process, giving residents a voice in choosing the artwork that will become a new landmark along 8th Street. The approximately 70-foot-wide mural ‘Tracks and Tales’ will bring a highly visible piece of public art to the library and celebrate the building as a place where people come together to learn, explore, imagine, and share stories.
For Keen, the inspiration began with a close look at the place itself. One of the strongest threads running through the design is Safford’s railroad history. The Gila Valley, Globe & Northern Railway reached the Gila Valley in the 1890s, bringing new opportunities for transportation, commerce, and growth. Historical accounts describe the railroad as an important catalyst in Safford’s development, helping the community grow into a commercial center for the surrounding agricultural valley.
“The train tracks really caught my imagination,” says Keen. “There is something about a railroad that represents movement, connection, journeys, and stories—all things that also feel very connected to a library. I wanted to find a way to bring that history into the mural while also making it feel interactive and playful.”
The mural will also incorporate books and elements inspired by the library itself, bringing together reading, imagination, travel, and discovery.
And for the people who know Safford well, there will be plenty to discover.
Keen has been working local references and Safford “Easter eggs” throughout the composition—small details and recognizable pieces of the community that residents can look for as the mural comes together.
“I love making murals that reward people for looking closely,” Keen says. “There will be things in this mural that people from Safford will recognize immediately, and other little details that might make someone stop and ask, ‘What is that?’ I hope people have fun finding them.”
Watch the Mural Come to Life
During the painting process, residents will watch the mural develop from a blank wall into a vibrant piece of public art.
The community will have the opportunity to contribute to the process on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 9 – 11 a.m. during a Community Mural Paint Day. On that day, residents can “paint by color” and bring the mural to life in guided sections.
“I wanted this mural to feel like it belongs to Safford,” says Keen. “The goal isn’t just to put a pretty picture on a wall. It’s to create something that people can see themselves in and feel connected to—a mural that has a sense of place and gives people something new to notice every time they pass it.”
As the first brushstrokes begin appearing on the library wall this September, residents and visitors will have the opportunity to watch Safford’s history, stories, and community spirit come together on a very large canvas. The mural is coming. And Safford gets to watch it grow.
Please join the library on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 9:30 a.m. for a ribbon-cutting to unveil its new addition.
About Molly Keen
Molly Keen is an internationally traveling muralist who has spent more than two decades creating large-scale public art. Working under the name Keen, she has painted more than 100 murals across 34 countries. Her work combines bold color, movement, storytelling, and a strong sense of place, creating murals designed to be experienced rather than viewed.
About the City of Safford:
Nestled in the heart of Southeastern Arizona’s Gila Valley, the City of Safford is a vibrant rural community and the largest municipality in Graham County, with a population of just over 10,000. Incorporated in 1901 and becoming a city in 1955, Safford serves as the central hub for Southeastern Arizona. The City operates a wide range of services and facilities, supported by over 230 dedicated staff members, including full-time employees, seasonal workers, volunteer firefighters, and council members. In addition to providing essential utilities such as gas, water, electricity, wastewater, and sanitation, the City of Safford operates a golf course, airport, library, and landfill that serve the broader county. Safford is committed to providing exceptional services and fostering a thriving community for all residents and visitors. For more information about the City of Safford, contact (928) 432-4000 or visit https://www.cityofsafford.us.
