By Jon Johnson
PIMA — Former Clifton-based photographer Michael Diegel, owner of Mike Diegel Photography, is making a strong run in Johnny Depp Presents The People’s Artist, a nationwide competition powered by Colossal that supports The Art of Elysium, a nonprofit organization that brings arts programs to children facing serious medical conditions.
Diegel, currently in ninth place in the standings, is representing Graham and Greenlee counties on a national stage. Voting for the Top 10 concludes Thursday, May 28, at 7 p.m. PDT. Supporters can cast one free daily. Vote here or purchase additional votes through donations that directly benefit the charity. After the top 10 cutoff, voting will resume until the next cut to the final victor.
“I would use it to build a studio so I have a place to create and share my art and have space for fellow creators who don’t have the budget for space to create as well,” Diegel said when asked what he would do with the $25,000 grand prize. Winners also receive national exposure, including a feature in Artforum magazine and an exhibition opportunity with The Art of Elysium.
Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Diegel moved to Oklahoma as a child before eventually settling in Arizona. His early exposure to art classes and exhibits planted the seeds for his creative pursuits, though photography took a backseat for years as he explored computers and technology. A personal tragedy in early 2020 became the catalyst that brought the camera to the forefront.
“I lost one of my best friends… and the only thing I could think of to cope was photography,” Diegel recalled in a recent interview with the Gila Herald. Using a Galaxy S6 at the time, he began photographing meaningful locations in the mountains where they had spent time together. The positive response from friends and the community encouraged him to continue. He later invested in his first Canon camera and started taking on local work, including photos for the Clifton Hotel Bar.
His portfolio expanded to cover community events such as the Clifton Festival of Lights and the annual duck race. In 2024, Diegel made a notable shift from landscapes to more conceptual work, creating striking Día de los Muertos portraits. The project, which involved extensive preparation including makeup and styling by Mandy Dawson Smith and model Kalen Reyes, surprised many longtime followers of his work.
“I was really proud of myself at the time because I pulled it off,” he said. “It was literally like eight to 12 hours of getting everything ready… I’m constantly in that state of mind as an artist: ” Like, what could I have done better?”
Some of Diegel’s pieces now hang in Gila Health Resources in Morenci. Though he recently moved to Pima, he continues to maintain strong ties to Clifton and Greenlee County, where he lived for nearly a decade. He remains passionate about using photography to capture authentic moments and uplift his community, especially in rural areas where creative opportunities can be limited.
Diegel views the competition as more than a personal opportunity.
“Art is a form of relaxation and an escape from reality,” he noted. “For me, just going out with the camera… You can enrich your life, and in addition to enriching your life, you can enrich the lives of others and influence them in certain ways that you never expected. It’s unbelievable to me how it affects people.”
The contest aligns with his belief in art’s power to heal and connect. Proceeds from votes support The Art of Elysium’s mission to bring joy and artistic expression to children and others facing challenges through hospital programs and community initiatives.
Diegel was recently laid off from the clinic due to budget cuts, but has used the transition to focus more fully on growing his photography business, which he has nurtured for about six years. He encourages locals to get involved, whether by voting or simply picking up a camera themselves.
Click here to vote for Michael Diegel. Even if he doesn’t take home the grand prize, every vote and donation advances the cause of bringing art to those who need it most.
