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- Artist Matthew Mazzotta has been chosen to create a public art installation at Glendale Park.
- Salt Lake City residents can influence the design through upcoming community events.
- The installation is part of a $85 million parks bond, which will also help fund many of the upgrades to the new regional park.
SALT LAKE CITY — An "internationally recognized" artist has been selected to create a future "community-driven" public art installation at Salt Lake City's Glendale Park, and residents will have a chance to influence its design.
The Salt Lake City Arts Council selected Matthew Mazzotta to construct the piece at the 21-acre regional park slated to open in phases beginning later this year.
"Public art brings people together, sparks conversations and highlights what makes our city special," Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said in a statement Tuesday. "This installation at Glendale Park is another historic investment in the West Side, giving local voices a platform and creating a welcoming space for everyone."
The arts council announced in May 2024 that it wanted to add an "iconic" public art installation to the park — something that could draw people to the area once home to Raging Waters. The idea was to create something as unique or captivating as the 9th & 9th Whale or the growing collection at Salt Lake City International Airport.
That sparked a nearly yearlong process that generated nearly 150 artist applications. A board composed of city employees, school district representatives and neighborhood leaders reviewed the applications and unanimously selected Mazzotta.
The New York native has landed fellowships with TED, Guggenheim, Harvard and Smithsonian, along with a grant from the prestigious Fulbright Program. His public art projects — scattered across the country — have also garnered several major awards and been featured across outlets from CNN to the BBC.
He wrote on his website that he prefers to focus on the "power of the built environment to shape our relationships and experiences."
"This new park design is such a mega project for west-side residents," he said in a statement on Tuesday. "I'm so glad the design also includes the creation of a new public artwork that represents those that live around the park. ... As we build this community-engaged artwork, it will focus on listening to the various communities so we can create a powerful and meaningful artwork."
Salt Lake City plans to hold two "outdoor living room" events next week as part of the creation process. The first will be outside the Rose Park Smith's grocery store, 1174 W. 600 North, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on April 24. The second will be held at International Peace Gardens, 1060 S. 900 West in Glendale, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on April 26.
Mazzotta, who has set up similar feedback sessions in the past, will attend both to learn more about west-side residents before getting to work on his design, which is expected to be settled on and approved by art leaders and Mendenhall later this year. However, the Salt Lake City Arts Council said it expects the new piece likely won't be installed until early 2028.
"I'm excited to see this project come to life with input from the community, making it a true reflection of the people who call this neighborhood home," Mendenhall said.
Funding comes from part of the 1.5% dedicated to public art within the $85 million parks bond residents approved in 2022. The bond also allocated $27 million toward the creation of Glendale Park, the city's first regional park since the 1950s.
Its first phase is expected to open later this year after the project hit more delays in 2024.
