Arizona artist will paint mural in downtown Phoenix Fry’s grocery store

PHOENIX – An Arizona artist was selected to paint a mural depicting Phoenix’s history inside downtown’s first full-service grocery store, which is set to open next month.

Margaret Dewar, cofounder of the Mural Mice Universal collective, will create the artwork at the Fry’s Food Store under construction at First and Jefferson streets, according to a Wednesday press release.

The 67,000-square-foot store across Jefferson Street from Talking Stick Resort Arena is scheduled to open Oct. 23.

Dewar was among 32 local artists who applied for the $10,000 commission, the release said.

“Dewar was chosen because of her attention to detail, exciting color palette and her depiction of downtown Phoenix through time,” Bo Wachendorf, interior designer for Kroger, Fry’s parent company, said in the release.

“The mural for the new Fry’s Downtown draws upon historical imagery from the nearby community and celebrates the diverse landscape and wildlife of the Sonoran Desert.”

The mural will cover 10 square feet of wall near the store’s first-floor elevators.

Dewar has worked on dozens of murals throughout Arizona, including the Theater Works Mural at the Peoria Center for Performing Arts.

“We are honored to bring the rich history of the downtown area to life through another masterpiece by Ms. Dewar,” Monica Garnes, Fry’s Food Stores president, said in the release.

“Beyond its beauty, this mural also reflects Fry’s commitment to create an environment where our customers feel at home and connected to food and culture.”

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