Call for Artists: Folsom Trail Hidden Waters
Authored by Ronnie Pessetto
The Seven Canyons Trust are seeking artists to create Water Drops for the Folsom Trail Hidden Waters installation along the Folsom Trail (from 1000 West to 800 West) in Salt Lake City. Six artists will be selected to design and fabricate Water Drops within a standard 2.5-foot by 3-foot frame. Artists will be awarded a $1,500 commission.
Deadline
Wednesday, February 18 at 11:59 PM MST
Budget
$1,500 commission per artist; Six artists will be selected
LOCATION OF INSTALLATION
Along the Folsom Trail (From 1000 West to 800 West)
PURPOSE
The Folsom Trail Hidden Waters Installation is a public art and education project that highlights the buried City Creek beneath Salt Lake City. Building on the success of the first Hidden Waters installation on North Temple, created through The Blocks’ Co-Create Program, this new installation will be located along the Folsom Trail from 1000 West to 800 West, an important westside corridor.
The project builds on years of planning and investment to reconnect Salt Lake City with its hidden waterways. In November 2023, the City completed a daylighting plan for City Creek along the Folsom Trail, outlining how the buried stream could one day be brought back to the surface. Hidden Waters supports this long-term vision by laying the cultural and educational groundwork through public art and community engagement.
The installation features sculptural Water Drops placed where City Creek once flowed, with each piece telling stories of water, place, and restoration. Hidden Waters celebrates water in an oasis on the edge of the desert by highlighting Salt Lake City’s deep relationship with its hydrology and the stream that helped build the city. Through a series of narratives, the installation explores the Indigenous Peoples of the Salt Lake Valley, the Greatest Snow on Earth, water as sport and culture including the 2034 Winter Olympics, stream daylighting, the Great Salt Lake, and more.
While the project does not physically bring City Creek back to the surface, it works to culturally daylight the creek by making its presence visible in the collective consciousness. In doing so, the project fosters education, stewardship, and care for the hydrology of a city named after water.
Funded by the Central Wasatch Commission, Salt Lake County, Rocky Mountain Power Foundation, and the McCarthey Family Foundation.
About this installation
Water Drops will consist of a series of artist-commission pieces installed within a standard three-foot by two-foot metal water drop-shape frame. Artist-commissioned elements can include metalwork, stained glass, wood, written words, and more—the creative possibilities are nearly endless. They will be installed on light posts, similar to a street banner. The pieces will create a new “creekside” walk along the Folsom Trail as pedestrians discover the next drop.
Timeline
Call for Artists Opens: February 2nd, 2026
Application Deadline: February 18, 2026 at 11:59 PM MST
Application Review: February 23 to March 6, 2026
Artist Notification & Contracting: March 9, 2026
Drop Fabrication/Creation: March 13 to May 15, 2026
Drop Installation: May 18 to May 21, 2026
Unveiling Walk: May 22, 2026
Details
Six selected artists will be paid to design and fabricate a single Water Drop within the standard aluminum water drop-shaped frame. Frames will be roughly three feet high by two and a half feet wide. Two sides will sandwich the artist-commissioned piece inside the frame. Artwork should be duplicated or double-sided and viewable from the front and back. Maximum thickness for the artist-commissioned piece is ½ in and maximum weight is 20 lbs. Artists must ensure the edges of the piece are water resistant. If deemed necessary, pieces may be protected with plexiglass, a clear enamel, or non-sacrificial anti-graffiti coating.
Artists should consider future maintenance in design and fabrication. If the artist-commissioned piece is damaged, artists may be asked to make major repairs or full replacement. Additional funding is available to support this.
If selected, artists will pick up the Water Drop frames and will be responsible for installation of the artist-commissioned piece inside. Pieces will then be dropped back off for installation on the identified street light posts.
Artists will be expected to join an unveiling walk on May 22, 2026.
What does a great Water Drop application look like?
Artists should describe the water narrative their piece is reflecting. Guiding elements can include, but are not limited to, celebrating water, water stewardship, water and its connection to the Indigenous Peoples of the Salt Lake Valley, Greatest Snow on Earth, 2034 Winter Olympics, stream daylighting, Great Salt Lake, and more.
Some helpful guiding questions include: How are Salt Lake City residents attached to water? How do we rely on water? How can we create a lasting impact on water stewardship? How is water within you? What are our responsibilities towards water?
The artwork should meet as many of the following goals as possible:
Highlight the Folsom Trail corridor and create east-west connections
Highlight City Creek and the vision for daylighting along Folsom Trail
Increase public knowledge of Salt Lake City’s hydrology, including its creeks, the Jordan River, and the Great Salt Lake
Connect people to waterways and cultural narratives around water through a hopeful, solutions-based lens
The artwork must also conform to the following design criteria:
Avoids metallic and reflective materials that cause glare for users, drivers, and reflects into nearby buildings;
Avoids shapes and colors common to standard street signs or pavement markings (see the Federal Highway Administration’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices);
Does not include logos, infringe upon any copyright or trademarks, or function as a sign or advertising in any way (Sign Ordinance - Chapter 21A.416 of Salt Lake City Code);
Is free and clear of obscenities or vulgarity as determined by the Selection Committee;
Utilizes materials and supplies appropriate for Salt Lake City’s variable climate;
Resists general wear, vandalism, and offers easy and low-cost maintenance; and
Meets public safety and maintenance standards and all applicable United States, State of Utah, Salt Lake City, and any other applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances.
The artwork must be sealed, including all edges, to be water resistant.
ALL CAN APPLY
Seven Canyons Trust are seeking proposals from qualified local artists to design their Water Drop for the Folsom Trail Hidden Waters installation. This request for proposals is open to all artist and/or artist-led teams residing in Utah regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, socioeconomic status, education, marital status, language, age, gender, sexual orientation, political opinion and affiliation, and mental and physical ability. Those new to the public art process in Salt Lake City, or artists and designers working outside of the traditional mural process are encouraged to review the sign ordinance to be in compliance (Sign Ordinance - Chapter 21A.416 of Salt Lake City Code).
Selection of the artist(s) will be based on having met as many of the following criteria as possible:
Robust professional experience in accomplishing projects of similar scope and scale;
Ability to meet deadlines, budget, and perform work in a timely, professional manner;
Willingness to consult and work collaboratively with partners, Selection Committee, stakeholders, and community members;
Understanding of the project goals, placemaking concepts, and design in a context-sensitive manner;
Interest in the project and connection to the surrounding community; and
Creation of previous lasting works that do not require excessive maintenance, repair costs, and meet all public safety and maintenance standards.
REVIEW PROCESS AND COMMISSION
Seven Canyon Trust will review and make sure all submitted applications meet the established requirements and deadlines. All properly submitted applications will be reviewed by the Selection Committee. The Committee will select six artists. The Selection Committee shall be a group of representatives, including but not limited to, the Seven Canyons Trust, Salt Lake City Arts Council, and Fairpark Community Council.
Six artists will be selected to receive $1,500 commissions each. This sum is inclusive of all fees and related expenses including, but not limited to, design, preparation, installation on frame, materials, protective coating, travel, or any other costs incurred to perform the work. Artwork should include elements on both sides of the framework (either duplicated or double-sided).
The total commission for each selected artist is $1,500. Payment will be made as follows:
$750 (50%) upon artist selection, signing of the artist agreement, and design approval
$750 (50%) will be made upon completion of the Water Drop
The selected artists will enter into an agreement with the Seven Canyons Trust. The alternates will only enter into an agreement if the Trust and any of the eight selected artist(s) are unable, for any reason and within the Trust’s sole discretion, to enter into an agreement. The agreement lays out the terms and conditions of the project, including services, compensation, quality assurance, insurance, termination, ownership, and maintenance. The selected artist(s) will be required to carry general liability insurance, auto insurance, and workers’ compensation (unless a waiver of coverage is allowed and acquired).
SUBMISSION
Each application should include the following REQUIRED materials:
Cover Letter (One Page Limit) – Briefly describe your proposal, your interest in and qualifications for the request, and any other applicable information. The letter must include the address, email, and phone number of the artist(s).
Proposal (Two Page Limit) – Describe in detail your concept, what narrative the piece is covering, how it meets the above goals, and any other helpful considerations. Although it is not required, artists are encouraged to include a sketch, graphic, or rendering of the proposed design(s).
Applications may also include the following OPTIONAL materials:
Artwork Examples (Five Image Limit) – A maximum of five images of prior artwork by the artist(s). Under, near, or on the image, please include the artwork title, year, medium, dimensions, and a brief description. Please do not submit collages containing multiple images.
Resume (Two Page Limit per Artist) – This should include the artist’s training, professional experience, name, address, email, and phone number. Each artist may submit a two-page resume.
ADDITIONAL POLICIES
Seven Canyons Trust and the Selection Committee reserves the right to proceed with additional selection processes, reject any or all submissions, and revise the evaluation process. Any revisions will be announced in writing to all respondents and on applicable materials. The Selection Committee will determine, at its sole discretion and based on the submitted information, the most qualified application as evaluated by the criteria herein. The determination shall be final and conclusive.
The issuance of the request for proposals and the receipt and evaluation of submittals does not obligate the Selection Committee to select an artist(s) or enter into an agreement. Applicants shall not contact the members of the Selection Committee to manipulate or otherwise influence the process in any way. This process may be canceled at any time prior to the execution of an agreement without liability. Seven Canyons Trust and Selection Committee reserves the right to then pursue negotiations with an alternative artist(s). Costs incurred in responding to this request will not be compensated.
