Pioneer Precinct and the Salt Lake Arts Council
Poplar Grove and the Jordan River
In July of 2013, the Salt Lake City Planning Commission in conjunction with The Salt Lake Arts Council asked for a beautification project for the community of Poplar Grove. Their suggestion was to in some way adorn the Jordan River Overpass at 700 South and 1000 west with art designed by the youth from that community, in the form of a temporary mural that would not permanently impact the integrity of the structural materials of the overpass or the surrounding environment.
In collaboration with Roni Thomas at the Arts Council, it was decided that we would hold 4 design workshops with youth, the fruits from which would be displayed at the Pioneer Precinct Gallery adjacent to the overpass. The medium for the installation would be plywood cutout shapes colored with senergy (a latex stucco that would waterproof the wood) and embedded with a mosaic of glass and mirror. These appliques would be temporarily attached to the railings of the overpass with bolts and cables.
Once the project was established, the question of subject matter for the project needed to be addressed. Coincidentally, Tree Utah was holding a workshop for teachers to discuss the wildlife and vegetation surrounding the Jordan River. This educational opportunity provided the springboard for a discussion with the youth groups on the importance of protecting this valuable natural resource. The workshops were held at the Sorenson Unity Center on 1383 South 900 West and involved the youth from the Sorenson Multicultural Center, The Unity G-Fresh leadership Program, University Neighborhood Partners Hartland Center, and the Sorenson Unity Center Intel Computer Club House. We began with a power point discussion on water shed, green space, invasive species, and the value of trees in our community. Each participant could work from a collection of images or create their own image that would be relevant to life along the Jordan River. They used markers, tempera paint and cut paper to simulate the mosaic process for this design phase. As you can see from the images, the youth created very beautiful artwork, were amazingly engaged in both the discussion and the creation process, and made for some of the most successful workshops that we have conducted with kids.
The artwork will be on display at "Groove in the Grove" on July 29th and then move to the Pioneer Precinct Gallery on August 1st. The appliques for the overpass are in the beginning phases of construction and will be installed by the end of August 2013. Funding for the project is being provided by both the Salt Lake City Planning Commission and the Salt Lake Arts Council. After the appliques have graced the overpass, they will move to the Sorenson Unity Center Gallery for display.
In collaboration with Roni Thomas at the Arts Council, it was decided that we would hold 4 design workshops with youth, the fruits from which would be displayed at the Pioneer Precinct Gallery adjacent to the overpass. The medium for the installation would be plywood cutout shapes colored with senergy (a latex stucco that would waterproof the wood) and embedded with a mosaic of glass and mirror. These appliques would be temporarily attached to the railings of the overpass with bolts and cables.
Once the project was established, the question of subject matter for the project needed to be addressed. Coincidentally, Tree Utah was holding a workshop for teachers to discuss the wildlife and vegetation surrounding the Jordan River. This educational opportunity provided the springboard for a discussion with the youth groups on the importance of protecting this valuable natural resource. The workshops were held at the Sorenson Unity Center on 1383 South 900 West and involved the youth from the Sorenson Multicultural Center, The Unity G-Fresh leadership Program, University Neighborhood Partners Hartland Center, and the Sorenson Unity Center Intel Computer Club House. We began with a power point discussion on water shed, green space, invasive species, and the value of trees in our community. Each participant could work from a collection of images or create their own image that would be relevant to life along the Jordan River. They used markers, tempera paint and cut paper to simulate the mosaic process for this design phase. As you can see from the images, the youth created very beautiful artwork, were amazingly engaged in both the discussion and the creation process, and made for some of the most successful workshops that we have conducted with kids.
The artwork will be on display at "Groove in the Grove" on July 29th and then move to the Pioneer Precinct Gallery on August 1st. The appliques for the overpass are in the beginning phases of construction and will be installed by the end of August 2013. Funding for the project is being provided by both the Salt Lake City Planning Commission and the Salt Lake Arts Council. After the appliques have graced the overpass, they will move to the Sorenson Unity Center Gallery for display.