The Outside the Box Project was initiated in 2016 and utilizes art to combat graffiti. Traffic Boxes made up 70 percent of graffiti incidents. The cost of redesigning a traffic box is far less than the amount utilized to remove graffiti multiple times throughout the years. These public art projects not only help save city funds, but they also help build a sense of community ownership and support artists, many of whom are local residents.
Close to half of this project was funded by an SCFD grant awarded to the Thornton Arts, Sciences and Humanities Council (TASHCO). The TASHCO Funds Balance paid for the remaining amount.
About this design: Mendoza explains, "My design focuses on symbols that represent the state of Colorado. I have the state bird (Lark Bunting), the state animal (Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep) […] I also added the state flower (Rocky Mountain Columbine). I designed these state symbols with my own style to give it a different look. I love how colorful it looks and how the city of Thornton logo fits perfectly with the style."
