A little more than two years ago marks the Inauguration Ceremony for Salt Lake City’s Mayor Erin Mendenall where she professed her vision for not only a “better” city but a “thriving” city. Volunteers who helped to organize the celebration that evening also coordinated a fundraiser for Mayor Mendenhall’s 1,000 Trees Initiative including art from Utah artists, Karen Horne, Josh Scheureman, Bill Lewis and myself. Josh and Bill created wall murals beautifying our city, while Karen Horne and I had the honor of presenting the Mayor with our tree paintings in acknowledgement of a community coming together in support of our Mayor’s vision.
2022 marks the second year and the next 1,000 trees Mayor Erin Mendenhall is committed to planting on Salt Lake City’s West Side, partnering with the coordinated efforts of Tree Utah and their volunteers, helping make it all possible.
“Planting 1,000 extra trees in our city every year on our west side is one way we’re working to address environmental justice, air quality, livability and so many other inequities we find between the east and west side. It’s also a beautiful way to build community, not unlike art.”
Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Janell James, and Crystal Young
Crystal Young, Executive Director of the Utah Cultural Alliance, is an active volunteer with a huge love for the arts. Crystal, along with other volunteers, coordinated the 1,000 Trees Initiative Fundraiser including Utah Artists. Many thanks to Crystal for the honor to be a part of something so important!
Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Janell James
”Pave Paradise”, my painting after the refrain from Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi, is an interactive etching and painting of a tree with a target as a focal point. With a sharp spotlight or light from a handheld device, the image of the tree is projected onto the target and stretches along the wall behind. The tree and target equally vie for attention.
“Involving artists in this project is a testament to the love Salt Lake City has for the arts.”
Janell James, Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Karen Horne
