Downtown intersection gets colorful makeover to slow traffic

A popular downtown intersection got a lot more colorful this week.

The intersection of 11th Street and Phillips Avenue now sports a design from featured artist Cam Abbas, a local graphic designer who was selected for the Creative Intersections Project.

It was spearheaded by the Downtown Neighborhood Association and funded through the city’s neighborhood association grant program.

“The goal of the project is to utilize art to draw attention to a busy intersection and slow traffic for pedestrians,” said Maren Engel, the city’s arts coordinator.

“We’ll be working with the traffic team to collect some data about the impact and effectiveness of the project.”

The idea is to draw attention to the intersection and as a result slow traffic.

“The hope is that if this pilot project goes well, that the downtown residents association will pursue the grant again next year and select another downtown intersection and artist,” Engel said.

Abbas has done freelance design work for seven years. By day, he’s a full-time graphic designer, but he has stepped up his independent art practice in recent years.

“The themes that guided this project were community, belonging and nature,” he said.

“As I began considering the location and medium, I was drawn to the idea of rug designs; objects that ground a space and bring people together. Much like a rug anchors a room, these designs are anchored at this intersection — and city — where everyone is welcome.”

The final designs “are inspired by the bold, familiar patterns you might find on a rug in your own living room, with influence from my own graphic style,” he continued.

“Each piece reflects elements of Sioux Falls’ natural landscape, including the river, the prairie and the sun, as symbols of the place we all call home.”

Abbas said he’s excited to see his work out in the open where people can enjoy it.

“It’s meant to feel like home, and downtown is sort of like the living room of Sioux Falls,” he said. “Public art has the power to connect people without words, and that’s what I hope these designs will do.”