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18 | MAY 11, 2023
Paint the Town
The Gateway “Atlas” by SRIL (Shae Petersen)
Get outside and go for a mural crawl with this City Weekly map.
Metro Skull by Trent Call
BY BRYANT HEATH & BENJAMIN WOOD comments@cityweekly.net
Jazz mural at Valter’s Osteria
U
tah has emerged from a long, cold, snowy winter. It’s great news for anyone hoping for a future in which Salt Lakers aren’t driven from their homes by toxic dust, but it’s still a drag having to wait until May to get out and about. To make up for lost time, we’ve prepared a map of murals that intrepid urban explorers can visit in a single bike ride or in three segment walks. Each segment is clustered near Trax light rail (Tip: Stage 2 is the shortest). Along the way, we’ll share information about the artists and point out areas of interest, including friendly businesses ready to serve you a quick bite or a cold drink—tell ’em City Weekly sent you. But wait, there’s more! Readers can enter to win a pair of tickets to an upcoming City Weekly event, including the Slick Rock Beer Festival in Moab (hurry, it’s next weekend!), the 12th annual City Weekly Pride Pageant (June 1), the 4th annual Utah Cann (July 15) or the 13th annual Utah Beer Festival (Aug. 1920). To enter, snap a photo of yourself holding this issue with one of the following murals in the background, then post to social and tag us (Twitter: @CityWeekly; Insta: @SLCWeekly; Facebook: /slcweekly), or email comments@ cityweekly.net with “Mural Crawl” in the subject line. Entry deadline is May 18.
STAGE 1: GREATER GATEWAY
Begin: North Temple Bridge/Guadalupe Station
(500 West and North Temple; Trax Green Line; FrontRunner) Mural: “Atlas” Artist: Shae Petersen aka SRIL (@srilart) Info: Among the largest pieces on this map, “Atlas” was created in 2018 and is located on Hardware Apartments, overlooking the North Temple Frontrunner platform. “For me, the piece of art is public. It has nothing to do with the people who live here and who don’t,” Peterson told City Weekly at the time. Points of interest: A new pedestrian bridge is under construction at 300 North, which will help residents avoid delays due to freight rail. This location also marks the approximate start of the underground train box envisioned by the Rio Grande Plan. Pit stops: None, as Utah and UTA struggle to understand the benefits of mixed-use amenities near transit stops. Next steps: Head west on the newly built Folsom Trail, then turn south on 600 West.
An underground mural at The Salt Palace
STOP 1: Metro Music Hall
(615 W. 100 South, SLC, 385-528-0952, metromusichall.com) Mural: Metro Skull Artis: Trent Call (@trentcall) Info: The multicolored skull on the east wall of Metro Music Hall is roughly 20 feet tall, creating a striking landmark for this storied west side concert venue tucked under the shadow of I-15. Call’s work also appears on the Zions Bank building at Main Street and 100 South, on a wall at Kilby Court and at South Salt Lake’s Beehive Distilling. Points of interest: The community garden located across the street was briefly slated to house a homeless resource center, part of a slate of shelter sitings announced in 2016 that were subsequently abandoned after public backlash. The Utah Arts Alliance is next door to the west. Pit stops: Metro Music Hall (obv); The Sun Trapp; The Complex. Next steps: Head east on 100 South.
STOP 2: The Gateway
(400 W. 200 South, SLC, 801-456-0000, atthegateway.com) Mural: Various Artist: Designed by Caroline Kane and Alli VanKleeck (@smockandroll) Info: The Gateway is a mural crawl in and of itself, with pieces scattered throughout the open-air retail center. For today, we’ll focus on the colorful crosswalks at the intersec-
tion of 100 South and Rio Grande Street that are refreshed periodically with a new look. Points of interest: Beyond the aesthetics, decorative crosswalks are proven to slow driving speeds (as do the cobblestones on Rio Grande Street), making the space more inviting to pedestrians. The Urban Arts Gallery is located a stone’s-throw away. Pit stops: The Store; Hall Pass; Flanker Kitchen & Sporting Club; Italian Graffiti; Wiseguys; The Depot Next steps: Continue east on 100 South until it dead ends at the Salt Palace.
STOP 3: The Salt Palace
(underground at 100 South and 200 West, SLC) Mural: 200 West Community Mural Artists: Traci O’Very Covey (@toverycovey), Evan Jed Memmott (@evanjed), Chuck Landvatter (@chuckaintnobody), Matt Monsoon (@mattmonsoon.art), Jimmi Toro (@jimmitoro), Alexis Rose Info: Commissioned by The Blocks, an organization that promotes downtown Salt Lake City, this piece is unique for having been painted by community members who filled in the outlines of a design by the artists listed above. Points of interest: This area was once Salt Lake City’s Japantown, commemorated by a pocket park on the north side of 100 South. It is also one of the few locations in the city where through-traffic passes beneath a
Several artists contributed to this design.
commercial structure. Pit Stops: Few nearby, as the Salt Palace is pretty uninviting to pedestrians. But options like Adelaide, Van Rider, Patrick’s Pub and other bars and eateries can be found around 300 West or 200 South. Next steps: Head south on 200 West.
STOP 4: Valter’s Osteria
(173 W. 300 South, SLC, 801-521-4563, valtersosteria.com)
Mural: Untitled Artist: Karabo Poppy Moletsane (@karabo_poppy) Info: Created in 2018 by South African artist Karabo Poppy Moletsane, this work—commonly known as “The Jazz Mural”—celebrates the Utah Jazz and stands more than 75 feet tall and 30 feet wide. Valter Nassi, the beloved former owner of Valter’s Osteria, passed away last year. Points of interest: The protected bike lanes on 200 West and 300 South were the first of their kind in the city, championed by then-Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker. Pit stops: Valter’s Osteria (obv); Squatters Pub Brewery; Zest Kitchen & Bar; Poplar Street Pub; Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana; Gracie’s; Eggsburg; Sonoma Grill. Next steps: Congratulations! You’ve completed Stage 1. To continue onto Stage 2, head south on 200 West or hop a train to the 900 South Trax station.