Art at the Confluence

Authored by Anne Whitehouse

Water, natural life, and community are woven together through laser-cut steel artwork at the Three Creeks Confluence in Salt Lake City, UT.

Urbe by Rosa Bandeirinha

The Confluence of Resiliency by Lola Reyes

“My design is inspired by the environment of the Jordan River and my cultural background. This work takes the shape of a Mexican Papel Picado garland which features many plants that surround the River and the confluence of creeks from the mountains. Traditionally, the garland is made from cut paper and is made for any type of celebration. I chose this style as its versatility will lend itself in observing any occasion as a special moment at the park. The plants in the design are a variety of native and invasive blooms, bushes and tree leaves that frame the convergence of the creeks. On each side of the ensign two of the blooms are fists--a reminder of the resiliency of the community and the power we have as a collective. Resiliency is a seed that allows us to continue to thrive for generations. It’s a symbol I feel is in its perfect place among the confluence of creeks in a community that is also the intersection of culture and migration.”

Horizon by Graham Rich

Hope by Tooza Design

“I chose to express a message of hope, community, and unity. Because of our tumultuous times, I found solace in creating them, I hope they can do the same for those visiting the Park.”

Sombras del 104 by Beto Conejo

“I am a resident of South Salt Lake and have been living in the west side of Utah since first arriving in America in 2001. Although things have changed dramatically recently, there iis one thing I still feel represents my neighborhood and the people who have been here through the changes: the art in our neighborhoods. Many of the neighborhoods I grew up in now have luxury buildings and businesses, making it harder for the people who have been in the neighborhood to be seen. The art we consider to be full of culture usually goes on walls of these small businesses. I wanted to participate in these kinds of public art displays to display culture where there should be. Making sure that when there is a new bridge or a new building in one of these neighborhoods, the people who have struggled here are being included in the representation. You will see a reflection of both Chicano culture and personal stories that are based in Glendale in this project. I hope you enjoy!”

Family by George Ann Yawn

“I often go with my daughter and my grandson to the river where we stand on the small gray dock overlooking the water. As it smoothly flows underneath us, we watch the animals as they play or pass us by. My grandson throws sticks from the trees into the river and then watches as they travel through the bends and the flows as I explain where their journey will lead. I am in awe of the peaceful natural land so close to the city, somewhere I take my family without the chaos and insecurity of our modern life.

To me, the Westside community is family and stability. This is the place where my family has been like the river, and I have watched as they have gone through the bends and flows of life, waiting for where the journey will take them...I am grateful for projects about restoring the land back to its original nature, in a way that my family can understand and feel the joy of being part of this Earth.”

Flight by Karl Hale

Re:Union by Matt Monsoon

“I am one of the river’s most ardent proponents - viewing it as a crown jewel of our valley. I have spent many hours looking for beavers, owls, wildflowers, muskrats, and wildlife - both from the shores as well as from my kayak. The river is one of our best kept secrets - and with time and care, will emerge as one of our most cherished community assets.”

Transparent Flow by Reihaneh Noori

Colliding Eddies by Joshua Graham

Cottonwood Snow by Jonathan and Jennifer Hale

“Cottonwood Snow pays homage to the cottonwood trees that often grow along the banks of Utah’s waterways, including the area surrounding the confluence. THe panel artwork seeks to capture the playful nature of cottonwood seeds as they drift and collect along trails and pathways to create ‘snow’ in the middle of summer.”

Winged Gathering by Ann Chen

“The daylighting of the confluence to me represents rebirth and restoring a balance between nature and urbanization. I intend to encapsulate the essence of nature through the wildlife and greenery expected to inhabit the park. My goal is to help visitors experience the magic of the park during seasons where flowers, birds, and pollinators are scarce. The park will be a valuable habitat for multiple bird species with local conservation interests. I hope my art will entice viewers to return to the park throughout the year and appreciate the wildlife and blooms at their glory.”

Cartwheel by Hank Mattson

“Parks are singular in their ability to transport us to a more tranquil and childlike state of mind. I want to encourage that power they have for us.”

Fluidity by Joseph Toney

Hibiscus by Bill Louis

“As a young immigrant from the South Pacific Islands I moved to the Glendale area. THere are so many memories I have of the area growing up, walking the streets as a kid, visiting friends and family. Today my mom and sister live in the area, so I am visiting Glendale almost on a weekly basis. I am grateful for public art opportunities because it can help to bring the community together and provide a space to gather. The Three Creeks Confluence Park project is a great opportunity for me to add some artwork to a community I love and have history with. The hibiscus design is representational of the Tahitian Islands and the beauty of the islands represented by the flower. The Glendale area has a large Polynesian community. I wanted to showcase some of my culture in the art. My inspiration is for the next Polynesian artist to see what I have created and be influenced by it to continue to pursue the arts.”

Mapping the Source by Al Denyer

“My ‘map’ shows all three creeks (Red Butte, Emigration, and Parleys), as they make their way across the Wasatch Front, and shows the edge of the mountains as they reach the valley. Often we relate to landscape as ‘here’ and ‘there’. To many the mountains are perceived as distan locations, yet I want to show how they are so closely linked to our everyday existence within the Salt Lake Valley. In this piece, the mountains are accessible places, with the three creeks solidifying the connection between the valley and mountains, and the water that connected these spaces, carves the landscape and brings us together at its meeting point.”

Pride by Chante Burch

“The Three Creeks Confluence is a part of my community. I live about 4 blocks away from the site and frequently pass it while riding my bike on the trail. I am so happy that the City is investing in this area. It is important that along with this investment, the local community feels included and represented in the space. That is the goal behind my work. It means so much to me to have my art displayed there for my community to see. If the residents see that artists from the neighborhood are being valued and displayed, the Three Creeks COnfluence will be more than just a park. It will be a treasured gathering space for the community for years to come.”

River Snakes by Claire Taylor

“The Jordan River Parkway has been influential to me since I moved to Salt Lake City. THe river trail was my introduction to the urban natural spaces of Salt Lake City...I witnessed how a creek acts as a wildlife corridor and saw the ecological importance of daylighting water. The diversity and abundance of wildlife along the creek--even in urban portions--is dramatically greater than the surrounding areas. [My design] takes inspiration from the garter snakes I met while performing research along Red Butte Creek. My research helped me to challenge my fears of snakes and I grew to love them.”

Russian Sage by Elisabeth Bunker

“I am a proud westside resident. I ride my bike daily along the Jordan River pathway, and the River holds a huge part of my heart (and mental health). Its cleanliness, safety, and continued restoration is pivotal to the revitalization of the westside, and for Salt Lake’s unique wildlife and migratory bird population. The piece is a botanical silhouette, sourced from a reference photo taken from a bike ride around Salt Lake City.”

Salt by Cara Jean Hall

Have you taken a good look at the pedestrian bridges at the Three Creeks Confluence? One of them doubles as a community art installation! The north-south bridge features twenty unique pieces designed by local artists. Each was selected, fabricated, and installed by the Salt Lake City Arts Council. The laser-cut steel panels use negative and positive space to depict Salt Lake City’s waterways, riparian wildlife, and the Glendale neighborhood (where the park is located).

For many of these artists, this project represents their first installation. The format expanded accessibility to allow more 2D artists the opportunity for permanent installation. The project was made possible by the Salt Lake City Public Art Program, Salt Lake City Parks and Public Lands, Metal Arts Foundry, and Trevor Dahl.

The pieces demonstrate how people, animals, plants, and water form vital parts of our urban communities. Places, like the Three Creeks Confluence, play an important role in physically connecting us to our trails and waterways, as well as spiritually connecting us with our human and more-than-human neighbors. Representations of Glendale’s unique community feature prominently alongside images of birds, streams, racoons, reptiles, and plants. The panels illuminate how culture and nature are deeply intertwined, challenging our all-too-frequent assumption that nature is something “out there” instead of right here in our cities.

Sources

1. Photos by Logan Sorenson

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