SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Neon signs have long been a part of Salt Lake City – whether enticing they were you with a place to stay at a State Street motel or advertising a bowling alley just off the freeway.
The Salt Lake City Arts Council’s Public Art Program said State Street was once adorned with an array of iconic neon and light-based signs that brought color and personality to Utah’s capital city.
Now, to honor that history, eight unique neon works of art have been mounted on State Street between 600 South and 700 South in downtown Salt Lake City.
The works of art were brought to life with the help of local artists. They radiate neon light on a four-foot-in-diameter canvas mounted 10 feet high on steel support posts. Each post features two works of art with back-to-back designs – one north-facing and one south-facing.
The eight local artists – Alexander Billany, Verónica Pérez, Chuck Landvatter, Emma Ryder, Liz Shattler, Valerie Jar, Kalani Tonga, and Ryan Perkins – utilized YESCO for their signs, a Salt Lake-based electric sign manufacturer.
“The ‘Life on State’ public art project not only honors a defining element of Salt Lake City’s past but also illuminates its future through the creativity of local artists,” said Arts Council Executive Director Felicia Baca. “By offering a platform for emerging artists and providing hands-on support throughout the process, this project represents the heart of what public art can achieve: creating accessible, meaningful artworks that connect communities and celebrate our unique stories.”
The Salt Lake City Arts Council said the neon-adorned posts are part of the city’s broader “Life on State” Implementation Plan, which includes opportunities for economic development, transportation, and safety on State Street.
Throughout the life of the project, the city plans to expand walkways and install new landscaping, among other upgrades to one of Utah’s most-used north-south corridors.
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