Pioneer Park, Salt Lake City’s oldest green space, will soon welcome its first permanent public art installation. Set to debut in 2026, Common Roots by artists James Shen of People’s Architecture Office and Jennifer Tran was selected through a national call administered by the Salt Lake City Arts Council’s Public Art Program.

Chosen from more than 130 applicants, Shen and Tran proposed a series of colorful archways that will serve as a gateway into the park. Drawing inspiration from tree roots and migration routes, the design also reflects the linguistic and cultural diversity of the neighborhood. The sculptural “roots” will spell out “Pioneer Park” in flowing cursive letterforms influenced by scripts historically and currently spoken in the area—including Chinese, Japanese, Greek, Arabic, and more.

“We are excited to create a landmark for such an important park in Salt Lake City, one with a rich history of immigration,” said Shen. “As children of immigrants ourselves, we’re inspired by the communities that have shaped Pioneer Park and hope to celebrate their stories.”

Felicia Baca, Executive Director of the Salt Lake City Arts Council, noted: “Public artworks like Common Roots help communities see themselves reflected in the spaces they share. By weaving together cultural stories, languages, and symbols, it turns a park into a place of connection, memory, and pride.”

The installation is part of a larger redevelopment of Pioneer Park guided by the 2021 Pioneer Park Vision Plan. Final design coordination will conclude by summer 2025, with fabrication and installation to follow. The revitalized park is scheduled to reopen in 2026 with enhanced amenities and this landmark public artwork.

The project is managed by the Salt Lake City Arts Council’s Public Art Program in partnership with Salt Lake City Public Lands, the Salt Lake Art Design Board, and community stakeholders. The Utah Historical Society participated as a key advisor in the artist selection process.

The Public Art Program is a service of the Salt Lake City Arts Council, a division of Salt Lake City’s Department of Economic Development.

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