An iconic public art installation for Salt Lake City’s West Side

In support of Mayor Mendenhall’s 2023 Plan, the Arts Council began an effort to conduct community engagement and the process for site selection for an iconic West Side public art installation(s).

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The Salt Lake City Arts Council is pleased to announce Glendale Regional Park as the site for an upcoming iconic public art installation in Salt Lake City’s West Side. This decision, rooted in extensive community input and collaboration, reflects the City’s commitment to inclusivity, neighborhood vitality, and celebrating the West Side’s diverse cultural fabric.

“I am grateful to the community for sharing their values, ideas, and dreams for this project,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. “Investing in the West Side means more than just investing dollars, it means investing artistically by creating iconic, creative community spaces for generations of Salt Lakers to enjoy.”

The selection of Glendale Regional Park for this landmark public art commission is the result of collaborative efforts between the Salt Lake City Arts Council, community members, and residents. Mayor Mendenhall’s 2023  goal to engage West Side communities in outreach and site selection for an “iconic public art installation for the West Side” emphasized fostering community strength through intentional actions, yielding valuable feedback that shaped the decision-making process—a milestone in ongoing efforts.

Extensive community engagement facilitated by the Salt Lake City Arts Council and the Civic Engagement team informed the decision (to read a summary of what we heard, click here). Through online surveys, in-person interactions, and a community conversation event in November 2023, nearly 300 West Side residents, organizations, and stakeholders provided valuable insights, sharing their community values, public art ideas, and installation preferences.

Additional factors such as accessibility, visibility, and community impact, were considered when determining Glendale Regional Park as the ideal canvas for this transformative project, aligning seamlessly with the park’s overarching goals and vision.

Key takeaways from the engagement process underscored the community’s values, concerns, and preferences regarding public art, including diversity, neighborhood pride, and a connection to nature, particularly the Jordan River Trail. Residents’ concerns, such as sustaining community engagement, vandalism, and potential impacts of gentrification, highlighted the commitment to equitable development. Glendale Regional Park’s selection reflects the City’s dedication to creating spaces honoring the West Side’s rich diversity and unique character.

The integration of an iconic public art installation into Glendale Regional Park’s Phase II plans will begin later this year through a Call for Artists. This public art commission, funded by the Salt Lake City Council and the voter-approved Parks, Trails, and Open Space General Obligation (GO) Bond, represents one of the most significant artistic & cultural investments aimed at enhancing the quality of life for West Side residents in the City’s history.

The Salt Lake City Arts Council extends gratitude to all stakeholders, community members, and residents who enthusiastically participated in this effort and provided valuable input throughout the engagement process. We sincerely thank you for your contributions and look forward to continued community engagement as we move forward with an artist commission.

Renderings of the future Glendale Park can be found here. Renderings are conceptual and do not represent the future art commissions.