ACE Murals
Alta Community Enrichment firmly believes that public art and placemaking are essential for shaping a community’s identity. These elements bring vibrancy and intrigue to the area, enhance its character, and foster a strong sense of place. They instill pride in what makes the community unique, united, and welcoming. Public art serves as a powerful way for individuals to form a deep connection with their community and offers visitors to Alta the chance to fully immerse themselves in all that makes Alta exceptional. Best of all, it’s accessible to everyone 24 hours a day. This program is proudly hosted and managed by Alta Community Enrichment.
2024 mural by kristen frailey
Project Summary / Description
This mural is based on a photograph taken by Brent Benson in 1999, which captures the first person to hit Chad's gap, Chad Zurinskas. The new mural will be designed to complement the existing mural of Alf Engen jumping over Highway 210 that is currently on the community center building. This will serve as a tribute to both Alf and the start of the modern era of skiing and photography. Read about the photo and jump here.
Artist Selected - 2024 - Kristen Frailey
Kristen moved to Utah in 2021 to live a life closer to the mountains with a vague notion of getting into landscape painting with watercolors. I never expected to fall in love with Utah as much as I did and I have been obsessed with capturing the magic I have found here ever since. Three years later and I am still just as obsessed as ever, though I have expanded the mediums I use to include oil painting and digital art as well
Artist Statement
Painting has become a way for me to merge my love of the outdoors with my love of art. Each painting I do starts as a photo, some memory of an adventure, whether it be hiking, climbing, or skiing. I take that photo back home where it becomes a painting in my studio. I aim to create art that captures the wonder of these places that we all feel collectively when we visit them, as well as to honor that which is worth protecting in the West.
2021 Mural by Andrew Pollard
Project Summary / Description
In the fall of 2021, ACE & Goldminer’s Daughter Lodge sought to create a site-specific mural art on the east indoor wall of the GMD public cafeteria seating area.
Artist Commissioned -Andrew Pollard
Andrew is a Little Cottonwood Canyon local artist and a professional skier who grew up in the Wasatch. The mountains of LCC and the Alta community developed him into the person he is today. Follow Andrew on Instagram
2019 Mural by Michael Brzozowski - In memory of Thomas Plofchan
2019 Project Summary / Description
The summer of 2018 ACE sought out to create a second site-specific outdoor mural art on the Alta Community Center. This mural would be a part of the ACE Endeavor, “Celebrating the People and Spirit of the LCC community.” In the winter of 2017, ACE had an image created by a local artist, Michael Brzozowski, of the iconic mid 1960’s image by Thomas Plofchan of Alf Engen jumping Highway 210. We had him replace the car in the image with Plofchan’s memorable green suburban. Plofchan was owner & operator of the Photo Haus in Alta and passed away in 2015. This image was used in a successful fundraising campaign, the art was so amazing, that we wanted to have it created into our second mural for the Town of Alta.
Artist Commissioned - Michael Brzozowski
Michael is a local skier and a visual art teacher at a public school in Midvale. Michael’s favorite place is Alta, especially for the deep powder snow!
Artist Statement
My artistic style is influence by the graphic techniques used by print makers. My art is how I emotionally connect to my surroundings. As an artist I try to empathize with the visual aesthetics found in a given place, and respond to it as truthfully as I can. I find the western landscapes of Utah artistically striking.
2017 Mural by Graham Rich
Project Summary / Description
The summer of 2017, ACE sought out Salt Lake County artists to create site-specific outdoor mural art on the Alta Community Center in Alta, Utah. We are hoping this piece of public art provides excitement and interest for the community.
Artist selected -2017
Graham Rich
Graham is a transplant from Ohio and has been skiing the Cottonwoods for 9 years. The mountains are his artistic muse and Little Cottonwood is his playground.
Artist Statement:
My art has always been influenced by the natural world and the colorful beings that inhabit it. My art parallels my activity with environmental nonprofits and my desire to make the world a greener place, while also being influenced by eastern spirituality and some psychedelic aspects as well.
