South Salt Lake to hold annual Mural Fest
This mural of a seagull was painted at Mural Fest 2024 by local artist Jetpack Johnson. It’s located in South Salt Lake at 445 East S TRAX Line Corridor. Photo courtesy of the South Salt Lake Arts Council.
All artists from Salt Lake City’s Westside are invited to a mini art festival hosted in South Salt Lake.
The 8th Annual Mural Fest, sponsored by the South Salt Lake (SSL) Arts Council, is quickly approaching. It will be held May 10 from 4-8pm and will feature the unveiling of 13 new murals throughout South Salt Lake. Participating artists from around the world are scheduled to begin their work on May 5 with final completion of each mural occurring at the festival.
With the addition of the 13 new murals, there will be 78 murals around South Salt Lake’s Creative Industries Zone. Besides the murals, there are also dozens of participating restaurants, pubs and breweries, and art studios.
One of the sponsoring art studios, studio-de-Verre at 2312 S West Temple, plans to host a mini art festival in conjunction with Mural Fest. It’s also near one of the new murals – located just two doors south.
“I’d like to invite artists from the SLC’s Westside to set up a table at studio-de-Verre. There is no cost or commission to participate. I’d just like to see the space around studio-de-Verre filled with local art from around the city and representing many neighborhoods and cultures,” said studio-de-Verre co-owner Kerry Transtrum. She says the event at her studio is free for vendors and visitors and will run from 2-9 pm in conjunction with Mural Fest.
During Mural Fest, expect activities at all participating businesses, live music at mural locations, and a central celebration at Bowers Way and West Temple featuring musical performances, food trucks, interactive art, and vendors. Mural artists will also be available to chat with local community members about their murals. To help people get around, three buses will drive loops around all murals locations for people to hop on and off for free. Follow @themuralfest on Instagram for updates and artist content.
“Mural Fest is the best event in Salt Lake Valley,” says South Salt Lake Arts Program Coordinator Jody Engar. “It’s the perfect chance to connect with talented artists, experience a festive atmosphere, and enjoy great food, music and friends. What’s not to love?”
Through a partnership with One Kind Act a Day and led by local artist Connor Weight, one of the murals will embody the theme of kindness. Several youth from the Promise South Salt Lake after school program will assist in the creation of this mural.
“One of the most exciting mural locations is the South Salt Lake City Hall. From Austin, TX, mural artist DAAS is returning to finish what he started. Last year, DAAS created a mural on the back side of the City Hall building. This year, he will finish wrapping the building with murals on both the north and west walls. In total, the finished mural will be approximately 9,000 sq ft of ‘living landscape’ on the only City Hall building in Utah covered in public art,” says Engar.
Local mural artist Jessica Wiarda completed this deer motif at 445 East S TRAX Line Corridor during last year’s Mural Fest. Photo courtesy of the South Salt Lake Arts Council.
"I believe that large-scale murals and public art have the power to bring people together and inspire a sense of community," said DAAS. "I strive to create art that not only catches the eye but also evokes a sense of connection and belonging.”
The SSL Arts Council started Mural Fest in 2018 with a 10-year goal to install 100 murals. The Creative Industries Zone is a supportive and welcoming community stimulating local economic growth through creative small businesses specializing in music, drink, dance, art, print, design, and craftsman industries that produce and sell hand-made products.
"Public art is a cornerstone of our community, enriching our surroundings and spirits,” says South Salt Lake Mayor Cherie Wood. “[Our city] proudly hosts the state's largest collection of outdoor murals, offering everyone free access to remarkable art that highlights our Creative Industries Zone. The Mural Fest inspires and connects us, and I am committed to sustaining this cherished tradition for years to come."
The Mural Fest and all associated activities including the Artist Panel and National Awards Presentation are free to the public. The public is welcome to visit the mural sites and observe the artists in action, but the Arts Council asks the public to respect the artists’ space and process as they work to finish their murals on time.