Last Train to Saltair explores the evolving relationship between Utahns and the Great Salt Lake, the namesake of Salt Lake City and a vital part of the region’s natural environment. Once celebrated, later overlooked, and now the focus of renewed conservation efforts, the lake serves as both the subject and inspiration for the mural. The artwork reflects on the importance of finding balance with the Great Salt Lake and honoring the beauty, fragility, and significance of the high desert landscape that defines the region.

For Matt Monsoon, participation in the North Temple Mural Program was an opportunity to create a meaningful work of art for his own neighborhood on Salt Lake City’s West Side. Located just a few blocks from his home, the mural is deeply connected to the community where he lives. Beyond the artwork itself, the project fostered new relationships and memorable interactions with neighbors, local community members, and nearby businesses, making the experience as rewarding as the finished mural.

During the summer and fall of 2026, North Temple was transformed into a vibrant outdoor gallery through the creation of six new murals. Each mural resulted from a unique partnership between a local business and a local artist selected from the Public Art Program’s Pre-Qualified Artist Pool. Business owners generously provided their walls as canvases, while artists created site-specific works inspired by the neighborhood’s people, history, culture, and distinct identity.

Funded by the Salt Lake City Community Reinvestment Agency (CRA) and administered by the Salt Lake City Arts Council, this initiative brought new color, energy, and creativity to the corridor while celebrating the rich cultural identity already thriving within the community. By supporting small businesses and elevating local artists, the project strengthened neighborhood connections and fostered a deeper sense of place. Together, the six murals form a dynamic collection of public artworks that contribute to a more vibrant streetscape while honoring the stories, people, and perspectives that shape North Temple

After spending his early years growing up around the world, Matt Monsoon (@mattmonsoon.art) returned to his birthplace in downtown Salt Lake City and put down roots on the west side. An avid cyclist, he’s long been drawn to the area’s hidden-gem restaurants, vibrant culture, and the Jordan River Trail. “Today, I proudly call the Fairpark neighborhood home,” he says, “it is truly one of my favorite places in the city.”

Photo credit: Salt Lake City Media

Wider View was inspired by the diversity, vibrancy, and energy of the people who frequent Rancho Market and the surrounding North Temple community. Through a combination of realistic figures, cultural references, bold colors, and abstract forms, the mural celebrates the many backgrounds, experiences, and traditions that come together in this shared space. The composition invites viewers to see the community through a broader lens, highlighting the richness that emerges from cultural connection and exchange.

During the summer and fall of 2026, North Temple was transformed into a vibrant outdoor gallery through the creation of six new murals. Each mural resulted from a unique partnership between a local business and a local artist selected from the Public Art Program’s Pre-Qualified Artist Pool. Business owners generously provided their walls as canvases, while artists created site-specific works inspired by the neighborhood’s people, history, culture, and distinct identity.

Funded by the Salt Lake City Community Reinvestment Agency (CRA) and administered by the Salt Lake City Arts Council, this initiative brought new color, energy, and creativity to the corridor while celebrating the rich cultural identity already thriving within the community. By supporting small businesses and elevating local artists, the project strengthened neighborhood connections and fostered a deeper sense of place. Together, the six murals form a dynamic collection of public artworks that contribute to a more vibrant streetscape while honoring the stories, people, and perspectives that shape North Temple

Trent Call (@trentcall) lives and works on either side of North Temple, passing through often by bike. He’s inspired by the neighborhood’s rhythms, from the Archie and Lois Archuleta Bridge on the Jordan River Trail to the rumble of passing freight cars, alongside a touch of melancholy for the area’s traffic and rapid development. “I attempted to transform some of this wistful energy into these murals,” he says, “a small reminder of what has been lost but not forgotten in our current day of chaos.”

Photo credit: Salt Lake City Media

The Dream Quilt was inspired by the concept of “home” and the sense of warmth, comfort, and belonging it evokes. Beginning with the image of a blanket, Brooklyn Ottens drew upon the tradition of patchwork quilting, where worn and repurposed fabrics are stitched together to create something new and meaningful. The mural uses the quilt as a metaphor for community, illustrating how diverse individuals, experiences, and contributions come together to shape a shared future and collective dream.

Funded by the Salt Lake City Community Reinvestment Agency (CRA) and administered by the Salt Lake City Arts Council, this initiative brought new color, energy, and creativity to the corridor while celebrating the rich cultural identity already thriving within the community. By supporting small businesses and elevating local artists, the project strengthened neighborhood connections and fostered a deeper sense of place. Together, the six murals form a dynamic collection of public artworks that contribute to a more vibrant streetscape while honoring the stories, people, and perspectives that shape North Temple

Brooklyn Ottens (@brooklynlineco) bought a home on the west side, just blocks from North Temple and the State Fair Grounds, back in 2018, and has watched the neighborhood grow ever since. “We love the diversity of amenities you can find along North Temple, the public transit availability, and most of all the culture,” she shares. For Brooklyn, painting here is as much about community as it is about art.: “It’s been so fulfilling to get the opportunity to create public art for my community and inspiring to see the growth happening here.”

Photo credit: Salt Lake City Media

Wings to Fly, Wings to Swim, Wings to Return to the Sky, Again explores the idea of home and the many ways it is understood and experienced. Centered on themes of resilience, interconnectedness, and love, the mural draws inspiration from cormorants, migratory birds that move between water and sky and travel thousands of miles along routes that connect both Utah and Mexico. The artwork reflects the ways people carry the places they come from with them, shaping and enriching the communities in which they live. For Caro Nilsson, participation in the North Temple Mural Program provided a meaningful opportunity to contribute to a neighborhood shaped by care, connection, and community. Working with La Diana Market offered a firsthand glimpse into a gathering place rooted in family and belonging. The finished mural stands as a reflection of the relationships she formed and her time spent along the Jordan River corridor, honoring both the people and the place that inspired its creation.

During the summer and fall of 2026, North Temple was transformed into a vibrant outdoor gallery through the creation of six new murals. Each mural resulted from a unique partnership between a local business and a local artist selected from the Public Art Program’s Pre-Qualified Artist Pool. Business owners generously provided their walls as canvases, while artists created site-specific works inspired by the neighborhood’s people, history, culture, and distinct identity.

Funded by the Salt Lake City Community Reinvestment Agency (CRA) and administered by the Salt Lake City Arts Council, this initiative brought new color, energy, and creativity to the corridor while celebrating the rich cultural identity already thriving within the community. By supporting small businesses and elevating local artists, the project strengthened neighborhood connections and fostered a deeper sense of place. Together, the six murals form a dynamic collection of public artworks that contribute to a more vibrant streetscape while honoring the stories, people, and perspectives that shape North Temple

For Caro Nilsson (@caroznilsson), this neighborhood was her introduction to Utah. She recalls commuting along the Jordan River Trail between Poplar Grove and Cottonwood Park, watching trout jump in spring and following bufflehead footprints in winter snow. “This place was my introduction to Utah, a place my life transformed,” she says. “It is an honor to be able to paint here!”

Photo credit: Salt Lake City Media

Be Kind, Please Rewind was inspired by the character of the exposed alleyway where the mural is located. Drawing from the overlooked backsides of older buildings, the design embraces imagery that feels rooted in the site’s history and surroundings. The mural incorporates historical references and serves as a reflection on what has been lost over time, reimagining and reconstructing the layered stories, memories, and evolution of the neighborhood.

For Trent Call, the program offered an enjoyable and rewarding experience, from working through record-breaking summer heat and seasonal monsoons to having the time and flexibility to thoughtfully develop the mural. Along the way, he connected with community members, observed the unique energy of the neighborhood, and supported local businesses. Most importantly, the project provided an opportunity to contribute to a part of the city that continues to grow and evolve.

During the summer and fall of 2026, North Temple was transformed into a vibrant outdoor gallery through the creation of six new murals. Each mural resulted from a unique partnership between a local business and a local artist selected from the Public Art Program’s Pre-Qualified Artist Pool. Business owners generously provided their walls as canvases, while artists created site-specific works inspired by the neighborhood’s people, history, culture, and distinct identity.

Funded by the Salt Lake City Community Reinvestment Agency (CRA) and administered by the Salt Lake City Arts Council, this initiative brought new color, energy, and creativity to the corridor while celebrating the rich cultural identity already thriving within the community. By supporting small businesses and elevating local artists, the project strengthened neighborhood connections and fostered a deeper sense of place. Together, the six murals form a dynamic collection of public artworks that contribute to a more vibrant streetscape while honoring the stories, people, and perspectives that shape North Temple

Trent Call (@trentcall) lives and works on either side of North Temple, passing through often by bike. He’s inspired by the neighborhood’s rhythms, from the Archie and Lois Archuleta Bridge on the Jordan River Trail to the rumble of passing freight cars, alongside a touch of melancholy for the area’s traffic and rapid development. “I attempted to transform some of this wistful energy into these murals,” he says, “a small reminder of what has been lost but not forgotten in our current day of chaos.”

Photo credit: Salt Lake City Media

Quetzal Magic was inspired by an exploration of the connections between Mexican mythology and the social and cultural tensions of the present day, both locally and globally. When the quetzal emerged as a topic during the design process, it immediately stood out as a powerful symbol capable of carrying multiple layers of meaning. The artwork incorporates symbolism that addresses themes not often represented in public art, while remaining open to individual interpretation and engaging through its visual appeal alone.

For Trevor Dahl, participation in the program provided a meaningful opportunity to create work for one of Salt Lake City’s most iconic local businesses. Being commissioned by the City offered a chance to contribute to the community’s cultural landscape while continuing to expand and challenge his mural practice, both technically and conceptually.

During the summer and fall of 2026, North Temple was transformed into a vibrant outdoor gallery through the creation of six new murals. Each mural resulted from a unique partnership between a local business and a local artist selected from the Public Art Program’s Pre-Qualified Artist Pool. Business owners generously provided their walls as canvases, while artists created site-specific works inspired by the neighborhood’s people, history, culture, and distinct identity.

Funded by the Salt Lake City Community Reinvestment Agency (CRA) and administered by the Salt Lake City Arts Council, this initiative brought new color, energy, and creativity to the corridor while celebrating the rich cultural identity already thriving within the community. By supporting small businesses and elevating local artists, the project strengthened neighborhood connections and fostered a deeper sense of place. Together, the six murals form a dynamic collection of public artworks that contribute to a more vibrant streetscape while honoring the stories, people, and perspectives that shape North Temple

Trevor Dahl (@goodhappystuff) has called North Temple home to his art studio for five years, drawn to its character, diversity, and food scene. As major development reshapes the area, he’s thinking about how its spirit will endure. “I hope the mural I’ve created helps amplify the existing culture and energy,” he says, “so it isn’t lost beneath the new architecture rising around it.”

Photo credit: Salt Lake City Media