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Midvale Journal

Keep an eye out for new outdoor murals in Midvale

Sep 07, 2021 03:10PM ● By Erin Dixon

This is an example of mural art. Pieces of art will appear on Midvale buildings in the next year. (Photo by Samuel Regan-Asante on Unsplash)

By Erin Dixon | [email protected]

In the next year, expect three new pieces of art around the city. Midvale is funding three outdoor murals and aims to complete them before summer 2022.

The city originally approved the project to start last year, but pulled the plug in March 2020 with the quarantine mandate. 

Officials set aside $4,500 to pay for the murals. In August this year, the city began its search for artists and businesses. 

Kate Andrus, community development executive assistant, presented the plan to the Midvale City Council in late July. 

“Applications will be reviewed by the committee, [including a] council member, redevelopment agency rep., city planner, city communications and community development director,” Andrus said. 

If an owner accepts a mural on their façade, they must agree to maintain it for five years. 

Artists must provide a design sketch with the application so the committee can approve content. 

“It can’t reflect partisan politics, it can’t contain sexual or religious content or express a commercial aspect through logos, slogans or other advertising messages,” Andrus said.

Councilmember Heidi Robinson was concerned about loose definitions of religion and politics. “That kind of seems broad, because you see...those angel wings, those are a really big thing. But I think that also is a broad religious spectrum as well,” Robinson said.

Committee members will decide what specific details are included in the art.

Councilmember Dustin Gettel is excited for the project to begin. 

“If we can spend $4,500 to get three murals, I think that’s money well spent,” Gettel said. “It’s like when you do the small projects around the house that actually add the most value to your house than putting in a pool.”