This public art project reinforces the significance of and accentures the vibrant residential/business corridor of 1300 South that joins the adjacent neighborhoods of Yalecrest and Westmoreland Place in Salt Lake City. Christensen took into consideration the architecture, character, and landscape elements of the neighborhoods and to that end, created a series of bas relief cast bronze benches, designed in the “Arts and Crafts” style, that reflect the beautiful trees lining the streets. Each bench backrest highlights a different tree type found in the neighborhoods – Sycamore, Ash, Elm, Maple – using leaves, branches, and seeds to create the designs for the cutout relief panels. The top rail of each backrest is inscribed with a quote referencing the qualities of the specific tree.

Day Emil Christensen is a sculptor and mixed media artist. He has been commissioned for numerous public art works in Utah. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a BA in Art and Design and a Master in Landscape Architecture from Harvard Graduate School of Design. In 2008, Christensen was awarded a grant from the Utah Arts Council as part of the Individual Artists Services Grants program. He currently resides in Highland, Utah.