Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — The city’s largest art installation, Color SLC, will bring life to 28 utility boxes representing each elementary school in the city’s school district.
Collages of more than 1,100 pieces of art by the city’s kindergarten through sixth grade residents have been photographed to create wraps for the boxes located across the city.
“Kids from every public elementary school in Salt Lake City participated in Color SLC, turning bland, boring utility boxes into works of art like this,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski, indicating a decorated utility box across the street from Bennion Elementary School.
During a debut of the art installation, Biskupski spoke to a group of the school’s third graders whose art was featured on the box.
“A big part of what we’re trying to do is elevate all the artists in our community,” she said. “I’m so glad it began with you, our youngest artists in Salt Lake City.”
Biskupski noted that the project began at Rose Park Elementary and was so well received by parents and students in the area that the city decided to expand it.
The event took place outside one of the city’s most diverse schools, and one that may face closure in the coming year after the school board delayed a decision to close last year.
According to the Utah State Board of Education, out of the 220 students currently enrolled at Bennion Elementary, 62% are minorities, 29% percent are English language learners and 100% are economically disadvantaged.
Paul Heath, an art teacher at the school, said the project is a testament to Bennion Elementary’s resilience.
“With the talk of Bennion’s future we know that we want to give everybody our best,” he said. “We feel thrilled that we have this opportunity and we hope that the community itself knows that we want to be here to stay.”
Art is an important part of community life in Salt Lake City. ColorSLC gives our youngest residents a chance to share their creativity.
–Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski
Ashley Leete, whose 8-year-old daughter McKenzie Leete participated in the project, echoed a similar sentiment.
“With some of the problems that were going on with Bennion and possibly closing last year, (Mckenzie) was excited to show everybody that this venue is so creative, that they’re still out there and a part of the community.”
Heath said artwork featured on the box was originally created as a Mother’s Day project. He noted that the pieces were chosen because the theme of the project — stained glass — fit well with the church outside which the utility box is located.
Stephanie White said of her son, Elias White, who participated in the project, “I think it’s so cool that they have opportunities like that this young, because he was always really artistic but it really helps their development.”
Samples of the students’ original artwork will also hang in the lobby of the Mayor’s Office through September.
