After a long day’s drive across the desert southwest from California, I spent a few days in Tucson with a friend from younger days.
As with my other stops along this road trip, I wasn’t looking for cityscapes. However, since I had arranged to meet another friend (her ex) for lunch in town, she told me I should check out the downtown shopping area. “Hippie Gypsy,” she said. I didn’t know what that meant, except as a reference to the Grateful Dead. I would find out. (Later I recalled that lyric was from The Who’s Going Mobile.)
Historic Fourth Avenue dates back to the early 1900s. The street art was dazzling. The iconic smoke shop’s murals are a shrine to the 60s.The highlights for me, poking into a few shops, were the independently owned bookstore and vintage record shop. And, of course, a respite into air conditioning from the 86-degree F heat was also welcome. The Tucson temperature gets scorching hot in the summer, but this early March day was warm enough for me.
A few more street scenes
This timely storefront display moved me.
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Ruth Rosenfeld 
Brilliant street art, all of it, but am especially drawn to the 60s music mural. Great stuff.
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I spent quite a bit of time standing there, identifying each image at the HG. A fun find!
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I love street art. I enjoyd your pictures a lot.
Have a nice evening.
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Glad you enjoyed this one! Thanks for leaving a note.
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Excellent! I’m a big fan of good-looking street art. It can add a whole lot of pizzazz and character to the surroundings.
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I’m guessing you would especially enjoy the 60s music murals. 😉
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There are some very talented street artists. Thanks for sharing that slice of Tucson with us.
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I understand there is much more commissioned mural art around the city, but didn’t have time to go driving around to find them. Thanks for coming along, Carol.
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Fabulous murals Ruth. Such a vibrant addition to any city. Thanks for sharing. Allan
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Thanks for your visit and comment, Allan.
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Very well done street art. The artists should be commended for sharing their works with the public.
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There are some commissioned pieces around the city I didn’t get to see, but some of the artists contributing to the downtown art were notable.
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Wow, what a colorful city! Tucson has always eluded me every time I go to AZ, so I’ll have to remind myself to stop by when I return to the state!
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I hadn’t been there for decades. I’m glad to see they still have a vibrant downtown area.
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You’ve captures some fantastic street art, Ruth. Love the Hippie Gypsy…if those walls could talk. 🙂
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Ah yes, there are some stories there!
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Nice photos of the street art, Ruth. I like the overall vibe of the place. I’m intrigued to visit it some day.
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Thanks for your visit and comment!
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These images are like time-travel back to groovy times. 🙂
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Well said! Much of the hippie culture celebrated.
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Beautiful stuff. I think you and the husband may have been there at the same time! Small world!
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Funny! But he was doing some serious biking, I just walk around. 😉
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What amazing street art! I love the Hippie Gypsy music murals and that girl with the hair and bubbles 🙂
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Apparently there is quite a bit more commissioned art around town. Nice to see the support. The woman with the bubbles is a lovely one.
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Amazing, colourful street art, it’s even on the street cars!
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Yes, that was a surprise to me as well! It looks like 60s pop art yellow submarine style. There’s definitely a theme here.
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Wow, that is street art in capitals! Love that one with the butterfly and cacti.
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That was one of my favorites as well. Thanks for your comments, Corna!
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What a great suggestion from your friend. The street art looks fantastic and a great way to add some colour to the area!
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Yes, glad not to have missed the artwork. It was an enjoyable discovery.
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Gorgeous art! I do believe I could wile an hour away at Hurricane Records.
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The record shop was an inviting space inside. You would enjoy!
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Wow this street art is absolutely incredible! 🙂
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I thought so too!
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What a great neighbourhood! I love the whole hippie gypsy vibe.
Alison
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Glad you enjoyed this post, Alison! It was a fun place to wander and brought back memories of an earlier time.
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My brother and his serious-artist wife live in Tucson, but we’ve only visited their house a few times and not much of the city itself. I’ll have to ask her about the Historic Fourth Avenue district and her worthy opinion on the street art. I’m fascinated by a mindset that can design a seemingly random set of images, yet somehow it’s pleasing to the eye. The fantasy aspect of the art in the first photo appeals to me, with butterflies large enough for a flying ride.
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That one is a favorite of mine as well. There are many commissioned murals around the city, I have since learned, but I didn’t want to spend my limited time there driving around looking for them. Fourth Avenue was a fun exploration.
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Wonderful Street art thanks for sharing 😊💕
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Thanks for your visit and comment!
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It’s pleasure of mine ❤️ stay blessed 🤗
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Amazing artwork 👌👌
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