Artist,
Ben Olmstead
By Stacey Gregory
Olmstead’s story begins in the picturesque seaside town of Newburyport, Massachusetts. As the dawn of 1998 approached, he ventured westward, seeking new horizons far from the familiar East Coast, destined for Tucson, Arizona, where his older brother lived.
His initial days were spent in the artsy confines of his brother’s warehouse apartment—a live-in studio that exuded creative charm. Needing to support himself, Olmstead took up a job washing dishes; the rest, they say, is history.
"I worked at The Grill downtown, which unexpectedly provided me with a backstage pass to the city’s vibrant community and culture at the time. I decided to stay in Tucson for university g in art and sculpture. In my final year, I met my soulmate,” said Olmstead.
“Tucson is a vortex that I have yet to escape because I love it here. My family has finally realized that I am not just hiding out. At least they stopped asking.”
You’ve probably seen his masterpieces around Tucson. For nearly two decades, he has partnered with Simon Donovan to create public art, primarily sculptures, in Tucson and across the nation. Some of the large-scale metal public sculptures include a giant steel elephant in front of Reid Park Zoo, the 10-foot-tall steel dancers located just east of Third Avenue on the south side of Grant Road, or the portrait of a local poet made of thousands of stainless steel letters in the fridge magnet letter font located on the corner of Helen Street and Warren Avenue at the last Streetcar stop next to the University Medical Center. Now, Olmstead is ready to share his favorite spots in Tucson with you.
BEN’S TASTES OF TUCSON
There’s no shortage of great placesto eat in Tucson. When his friends visit, he introduces them to the local culinary scene, dining at favorite spots with a common theme: authentic Mexican. El Antojo Poblano is known for some of the best mole in town, a family recipe for generations sent straight from Puebla. Cocteleria La Palma Mariscos is his go-to seafood joint with everything from fish and shrimp tacos to shrimp quesadilla and shrimp ceviche. Stop by
Taqueria Juanitos or Tacos Apson for tacos, burritos, and much more.
FOLLOW BEN AROUND TUCSON
An avid mountain biker, cyclist, and hiker, Olmstead wants you to get outside. A drive through Gates Pass delivers stunning views and leads you to the educational wonders of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. This magical place is part zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden and part art gallery with classes and a natural history museum. For rich culture and history experience, he recommends you spend a few hours at the San Xavier del Bac Mission on the Tohono O’odham reservation. Ben ensures his guests experience the best of the Sonoran Desert.
If you’re into museums, there are plenty to visit at The University of Arizona, including the Arizona State Museum, The University of Arizona Museum of Art, The Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum, and his favorite, the Center for Creative Photography.