Matt Monsoon
North Temple Murals: Last Train to Saltair,
2026
Paint
The Inspiration
Last Train to Saltair explores the evolving relationship between Utahns and the Great Salt Lake, the namesake of Salt Lake City and a vital part of the region’s natural environment. Once celebrated, later overlooked, and now the focus of renewed conservation efforts, the lake serves as both the subject and inspiration for the mural. The artwork reflects on the importance of finding balance with the Great Salt Lake and honoring the beauty, fragility, and significance of the high desert landscape that defines the region.
Community Connection
For Matt Monsoon, participation in the North Temple Mural Program was an opportunity to create a meaningful work of art for his own neighborhood on Salt Lake City’s West Side. Located just a few blocks from his home, the mural is deeply connected to the community where he lives. Beyond the artwork itself, the project fostered new relationships and memorable interactions with neighbors, local community members, and nearby businesses, making the experience as rewarding as the finished mural.
The Mural Program
During the summer and fall of 2026, North Temple was transformed into a vibrant outdoor gallery through the creation of six new murals. Each mural resulted from a unique partnership between a local business and a local artist selected from the Public Art Program’s Pre-Qualified Artist Pool. Business owners generously provided their walls as canvases, while artists created site-specific works inspired by the neighborhood’s people, history, culture, and distinct identity.
Funding and Impact
Funded by the Salt Lake City Community Reinvestment Agency (CRA) and administered by the Salt Lake City Arts Council, this initiative brought new color, energy, and creativity to the corridor while celebrating the rich cultural identity already thriving within the community. By supporting small businesses and elevating local artists, the project strengthened neighborhood connections and fostered a deeper sense of place. Together, the six murals form a dynamic collection of public artworks that contribute to a more vibrant streetscape while honoring the stories, people, and perspectives that shape North Temple
About the Artist
After spending his early years growing up around the world, Matt Monsoon (@mattmonsoon.art) returned to his birthplace in downtown Salt Lake City and put down roots on the west side. An avid cyclist, he’s long been drawn to the area’s hidden-gem restaurants, vibrant culture, and the Jordan River Trail. “Today, I proudly call the Fairpark neighborhood home,” he says, “it is truly one of my favorite places in the city.”
Photo credit: Salt Lake City Media
Location
Promontory Place Apartments
1025 West North Temple
District 2
Artwork featured in header: Sun, Moon, & All Things In-Between by Michael Moonbird and Victoria Lyons
