Bridge Over Barriers is a long-term public art project launched in 2005 by NeighborWorks Salt Lake as part of a neighborhood-building initiative for Salt Lake City’s West Side. Led by Lily Yeh of Barefoot Artists, this project brought together countless local artists and neighborhood residents to create one of Utah’s largest public art projects. Through mosaic and stain concrete murals, the artwork reflects the spirit of the community, inspired by the lives and stories of those who call this neighborhood home. Many residents participated in its creation through workshops held in local churches, schools, community centers, and other spaces.

On the north side, Mother Earth symbolizes the nurturing spirit of Salt Lake City’s natural landscape and resilient communities, representing life and growth. Father Time, on the south side, honors the past while guiding the community forward. Together, they invite reflection on the cycles of life, the passage of time, and our shared role in building a connected and inclusive community. The images in each of the sixteen mosaic-covered columns were determined by the various communities of this area and brought to life by participating artists. The mosaic images depict the diversity, livelihoods, professions, and traditions of the residents of the neighborhood.

The original project, completed in 2012, was made possible by many community members, neighborhood residents, and organizations, including Lily Yeh, NeighborWorks Salt Lake’s Maria Garciaz, Brolly Arts’s Amy MacDonald, Utah Division of Arts & Museums’ Jean Irwin, Mestizo Institute of Culture & Arts’ Ruby Chacón and Terry Hurst, the Utah Department of Transportation, artist Jimmy Lucero, John Riddle, and many others.

In the spring of 2024, Bridges Over Barriers underwent a significant restoration effort. Under the creative direction of Brolly Arts, and in close collaboration with NeighborWorks Salt Lake and the Salt Lake City Arts Council’s Public Art program, a team of local artists dedicated six weeks to restoring and preserving this important community artwork. This restoration effort was made possible by Brolly Arts and the Salt Lake City Arts Council’s Public Art Program, with support from the Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office, NeighborWorks Salt Lake, the Utah Department of Transportation, with assistance from neighborhood residents. The artist team, led by Amy MacDonald, included Fairpark artists Matt Monsoon, Brooklyn Ottens, Jessie Thomas, and mosaic artist Roger Whiting.