JASMINE GRACE

Granite High served the South Salt Lake community for 92 years. Three years before this historical site was demolished, a group called The Dream Press gained special permission to give the school a facelift. They rallied over 150 volunteer artists to transform everything-classrooms, hallways, lockers, desks, etc- into an installation exhibit featuring the power and process of achieving one's dreams. 

This was an extremely fun project. Each artist chose their spot and submitted a proposal while the materials were provided to bring each plan to life. Once all the artists unveiled their finished masterpieces, area schools provided field trips to the Dreamathon. For weeks the interactive exhibits were filled with participants of all ages.

I chose a double staircase to transform into a rainbow bridge connecting guests from one level of exhibits to the next. I painted skies on the walls filled with white clouds.

Working late nights made me think of all the history the building must have held as it curiously watched this group of artists at work. It was surreal to paint up a place where kids were likely once told not to run in the halls. 

The results were breathtaking. Despite efforts of the Utah Arts Alliance to preserve the building, the school was eventually torn down in 2017. Granite High and The Dreamathon were reduced to a memory. May the messages and inspiration created here live on that way.

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