After pandemic and earthquake delays, Karen Horne was excited to deliver two of her framed artworks to Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s office at the City County Building this January. She had created these artworks at a live demo at the Mayor’s Inaugural Gala, in January 2020. The theme of the gala, “Night of 1,000 Trees” was a kickoff to a major urban forestry initiative “1,000 Tree Initiative” to plant more trees in the city, especially in the West Side. Horne chose to depict a brilliant fall tree she’d observed in walks in Liberty Park, and selected to render it in the vivid medium of pastel She felt fortunate, despite the dim lighting at the event, to create two successful pieces that evening. The milling guests and dignitaries enjoyed watching the artwork unfold by Karen Horne, as well as murals in progress by Josh Scheureman and Bill Lewis. Janell James also provided an artwork. Many thanks to the Utah Cultural Alliance for the invitation to Karen Horne, who is delighted to now have artworks installed in the venerable City County Building.
“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
