Client: Salt Lake City Arts Council and Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake

Location: Salt Lake City, UT, United States

Completion date: 2019

Artwork budget: $65,000

Project Team

Artist

Traci O'Very Covey

Traci O'Very Covey LLC

Public Art Program Manager

Dana Hernandez

Salt Lake City Public Art Program

Public Art Program Manager

Kat Nix

Salt Lake City Public Art Program Manager

Deputy Director

Jill Wilkerson-Smith

Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake

Overview

Playful and bright, “Colorful Connection” consists of steel sculptures, a sign introducing the “NOTE District,” a vinyl mural utility box wrap, and complementary landscaping between the bridges. The work enhances the experience traveling under the I-15 underpass and vibrantly greets pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and transit users alike. O’Very Covey’s imaginative characters and installations incorporate the colors and circular shapes of the NOTE District branding throughout the project, highlighting the sense of community and connection in the neighborhood.

Goals

The project’s goal of contributing to a safe and aesthetic passage at a key juncture linking the east and west sides of North Temple garnered the participation of several city departments, and was an opportunity to blend installation, landscaping, and links to the community the project sits within. This art installation was to create a welcoming entrance which designates The NOTE District as a connection point between two parts of the city, and portray a sense of harmony and the diversity of the neighborhood.

Process

The Salt Lake City Art Council commissioned local artist Traci O’Very Covey from its pre-qualified artist pool to design and implement Colorful Connection. Traci worked closely with the City, Engineers, and landscape architects to integrate her artwork into the site. In addition to the integrated design, Traci created metal sculptures and a vinyl wrap to create an enjoyable and cohesive experience while walking beneath the underpass.