SLC Wildlife Walls Mural Trail

Space Trout &
Utopia Mural Project

South Salt Lake City

The Utopia Mural Project, located in South Salt Lake, was created in 2019-2020 in partnership with Chris Peterson Studio, Full Collective Media and artist Lars Call. The project was designed and painted over two years, in three phases encompassing five facets of the building and stretches +200 linear feet.

This mural is included in the Wildlife Walls Mural Trail to raise wildlife awareness.

This mural project was installed in 2018/2019 by Chris Peterson Studio in partnership with Full Collective Media and artist Lars Call. A QR code will be installed on each mural to educate visitors about the species and provide recommendations for nearby firsthand wildlife encounters.

Space Trout & Utopia Mural Project

Designed and installed by Chris Peterson Studio

From the Artist

This project began in early 2019 with the installation of "Welcome to Utopia": the murals painted across the south and easternmost walls at 156 West Utopia Avenue in South Salt Lake. The "anamorphic" Super 8 camera stretching across the corner of this old photography studio, and the bollards/pipes out front, is distorted unless the viewer stands at the right spot. (Look for the "Dig Here" red curb in front of the Shades Brewery building.) The camera reads, "Welcome to Utopia; Don't miss it". This references the changing quality of life we enjoy in Utah- particularly with regard to nature and wildlife- and our urge to "capture" it with a camera. Stenciled fish scales across the constellation-adorned space is broken up by rays of light emanating from the camera.

As the mural wraps away from the camera into the alcove at the west, the rays disappear into trouter space, with a giant neon brown trout on the cusp of swallowing an astronaut tethered to the Apollo Moon Rover. This playful image is evocative of the human plight to control nature as the fish (nature) closes in. A grizzly bear head I call "Deathstar Griz" is chasing behind the trout in this bear eat fish eat human drama. This wall was completed coincidentally around the same time as the 2019 South Salt Lake Muralfest, although it was a private commission.

In November 2020, the western-most wall (65'x25') was painted with an even bigger Space Trout chasing a comet. The rays and constellations from the other walls tie the whole thing together. While this wall stands on its' own, the orientation and composition was designed so that folks standing on the Trax platform a block away would get a glimpse of a big fish chasing a smaller fish across the two parallel walls.

This project is one of my all-time favorites because of the latitude I was given to propose playful design elements that inspired me and enlisted visual illusions. The collaboration that happened with the property owners and their participation in shaping the designs made these walls even better." -chris peterson

Gallery of Process Shots and Finished Photos

Celebrate Utah's wildlife with monumental murals and wildlife encounters across the state on the Wildlife Walls Mural Trail.

Wildlife Walls Mural Trail Map

under construction

Nearby Wildlife Viewing Opportunities

Peacocks @ Allen Park: Nestled in the Sugar House neighborhood, Allen Park is a quiet, artsy area where remnants of free-roaming peafowl still draw visitors.
Raptors @ Jordan River Parkway (Arrowhead Park): This stretch of the Jordan River offers great opportunities to spot Swainson’s hawks, red-tailed hawks, and kestrels soaring above the cottonwoods or perched along the river corridor.
Moose @ Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon): Just a short, accessible walk around Silver Lake often results in sightings of moose grazing in the wetlands, especially early in the morning or at dusk.
Bison and burrowing owls @ Antelope Island: Less than an hour from Salt Lake, Antelope Island State Park is home to one of the largest free-roaming bison herds in the country, along with burrowing owls, pronghorn, coyotes, and shorebirds.
Wild horses @ Dugway Mountains (Onaqui Herd): West of the Salt Lake Valley, the Onaqui Mountains are home to one of Utah’s most iconic wild horse herds. Access is remote, high-clearance vehicles are recommended. They are best viewed in spring and fall.
Bonneville cutthroat trout @ Millcreek Canyon: This canyon offers accessible roadside pull-offs and shaded streams where Bonneville cutthroat trout can often be spotted swimming in clear pools.
Mountain goats @ Mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon: Keep an eye on the cliffs above the canyon entrance, especially in spring and early summer, when mountain goats descend to feed on new vegetation.
Rattlesnakes @ Rattlesnake Gulch, Millcreek Canyon: True to its name, Rattlesnake Gulch is prime habitat for rattlesnakes. Stay alert and observe from a safe distance if you encounter one on a trail.
Red fox @ Big Cottonwood Regional Park: This urban green space in Holladay is occasionally home to red foxes. Early morning walks offer your best chance at a glimpse.
Pelicans and waterbirds @ Decker Lake: Located just west of downtown, Decker Lake attracts American white pelicans, Canada geese, and various migratory waterfowl. Viewing is best in spring and fall.
Migratory shorebirds @ Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge: Though a bit of a drive, this world-renowned bird refuge is well worth the trip. Visit during spring and fall migrations for peak shorebird activity, including avocets, stilts, and phalaropes.

Wildlife Etiquette: Always observe from a distance, stay on marked trails, and never feed wild animals.

Wildlife Institutions in Salt Lake City:

Hogle Zoo: Located near the mouth of Emigration Canyon, Hogle Zoo is your chance to see a wide range native species upclose, including cougars, bighorn sheep, bobcats, and yellow-bellied marmots.
Tracy Aviary (Liberty Park): One of the oldest aviaries in the U.S., Tracy Aviary houses over 130 bird species including golden eagles, bald eagles, American white pelicans, and barred owls.
Tracy Aviary’s Jordan River Nature Center (Pia Okwaiwai): Situated along the Jordan River in South Salt Lake, this nature center offers bird blinds and walking trails with chances to view wild raptors and shorebirds in restored wetland habitat.
Eccles Great Salt Lake Audubon Wildlife Center (Lee Kay Center): Just west of downtown, this new center sits along the southern shoreline of the Great Salt Lake and provides opportunities to see great blue herons, shorebirds, and other waterfowl. The surrounding wetlands are critical stopovers for migratory birds.
Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter (Park City): Though technically just outside the Salt Lake Valley, Swaner Preserve is well worth the short drive. The 1,200-acre preserve is home to moose, sandhill cranes, and a variety of wetland species. Guided tours and boardwalk trails provide easy viewing access.
Red Butte Garden: Adjacent to the University of Utah, Red Butte Garden is a great place to spot local wildlife. Birds, butterflies, and even rattlesnakes can be seen along the garden’s trails, particularly in spring and summer.

Don't miss these Local Attractions

Wheeler Historic Farm: A working farm with historic barns, animals on display, and seasonal wagon rides.
Big Cottonwood Park: An urban park with picnic areas, nature trails, and playgrounds. Keep an eye out for red foxes and a variety of birds during early mornings and evenings.
Jordan River Parkway Trail: A scenic 40-mile trail system running through the valley, offering biking, walking, and wildlife spotting. Arrowhead Park is a top spot along the trail for seeing Swainson’s hawks and other raptors.
Gardner Village: A historic mill complex transformed into a charming village with boutique stores, restaurants, and seasonal events like witch festivals and holiday lights.