Our Project

Our community art event took place on April 21st, 2022 on the East end of the Marriott Library Plaza between 12:30–2:30pm.

We had a table with a large scale sign as a pledge for personal water conservation. When a passersby signed it, they received an ice pop and we discussed with them how personal water conservation directly impacts snow pack. The pledge was to turn off the faucet, take shorter showers, wash full laundry loads and hold others accountable. Over 75 signatures were obtained on the pledge for personal water conservation.

Next to the table was the sculpture made of a faux dirt mound and a pair of skis sticking out, similar to the way skiers stick their skis and poles in snow. But if we continue to lose our snow pack, we won’t have snow to ski on. The sculpture served as a grave image of this possibility. Participants also received a custom designed sticker reflecting the grave nature of skiing in the future, should we not take the needed action now.

Near the table were two large images on laid on the ground that showed the scale of the proposed Inland Port at 16,000 acres next to the scale of the SLC International Airport at 7,700 acres. This stark visual showed the enormous scale of the Inland Port and just how impactful it will be to our valley. Students had 2 clipboards with a petition that they drafted to Governor Cox, pleading that the Utah legislature put in the needed regulations to minimize the negative impacts of the Inland Port on the health of both humans and the natural ecosystem. Over 260 signatures were acquired and mailed with the petition to Governor Cox. When the petition was signed, the participants were rewarded with stickers that were custom designed with images of 3 birds common to the Great Salt Lake. They were accompanied by catchy phrases to grab attention and with the eco art website that the students designed with additional information.

In addition, we had a custom corn hole game that was composed of 3 parts. The three parts were painted with the shrinking Bear River as a source of water for the GSL. They were labeled Past, with a large hole, Present, with a medium hole, and Future, with a hole too small to actually play the game. This represented the diversion of Bear River from the GSL. Participants received another sticker for playing the game and engaging in conversation about this diversion of the Bear River and the necessity to keep it in the GSL as the Bear River provides 60% of the water to the lake.

All who approached the table and engaged in conversations received free salty snacks: salt water taffy and sea salt caramels.