Public art project scheduled in the Fairpark neighborhood

A recently installed traffic circle at 500 North 1300 West will be the site of a public art project scheduled for fabrication in the summer of 2024. Photo by Sheena Wolfe.

Funds for a public art project at the newly installed traffic circle at 500 North 1300 West in the Fairpark neighborhood, and possibly including the traffic strips at 1200 West, have been approved by the city’s Art Design Board, and fabrication is expected to begin in the summer of 2024, said Renato Olmedo-Gonzalez, Public Art Program Manager, Salt Lake City Department of Economic Development.

A family of wild turkeys shares the lawns and streets of Salt Lake City’s Westside, including the Fairpark neighborhood. They’ve been a popular community suggestion for the subject of the art project. Photo by Sheena Wolfe.

Olmedo-Gonzalez explained that 1.5 percent of annual Capital Improvement Program funds go towards art projects each year, and the Art Design Board – a citizen’s advisory committee – works with various city departments to allocate the funds each year.

Once the Fairpark site was approved for public art funding, Olmedo-Gonzalez began a community engagement program that included door-to-door interviews and an online survey asking citizens to comment on the Fairpark neighborhood. He noted that common themes included the neighborhood’s diversity, its location near the state fairgrounds and the Jordan River, and the family of wild turkeys living within the community.

After community input, a letter of interest was sent to qualified local artists and three artists were chosen to present proposals at an Art Design Board public meeting scheduled for Dec. 6 from 5-7pm at the Art Barn, said Olmedo-Gonzalez, adding that after the board makes a selection, Mayor Erin Mendenhall has final approval.

“We have met with the three finalists and given them site specifics along with comments from the community,” he said. “We are grateful for the community participation as it is important that the flavor of the community be represented in the art design.”

Fairpark residents are encouraged to attend the December public meeting, he said, adding that people can contact him for more information at Renato.Olmedo-Gonzalez@slcgov.com.