Go see the current exhibit of We Are All Water at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center
We Are All Water
Youth-In-Custody students worked with STEMCAP to think creatively about water as a unifying element.
Students were encouraged to reflect on water as a finite resource that connects all living things. Students considered the various water issues here in Utah and how the impact of individuals on collective waterways affects whole communities.
STEMCAP workshops focusing on drought, climate change, pollution, and the drying of the Great Salt Lake (GSL) informed the artwork, tasking students to reflect on the importance of water as a shared and vital resource.
Project Information
Virtual Gallery
Decker Lake Youth Center: Jordan River, Miles 1-25
Segment 1: Utah Lake to Inlet Park Fork
Crying is Pretty Natural, Water is a key to Life. Inefficient use of water DESTROYS BEAUTY.
Segment 2: Fork of Utah Lake to Inlet Park Fork
Half-shaded duality The river runs right Through Winter’s Vitality
Segment 3: Inlet Park Fork to Saratoga Springs Airplane Park
I Drew this Because my last name* is a Big thing to me and the color is my favorite color and the Salt Lake City is where I was Born. I was born in Glendale, Salt Lake City and the 3 at the end of my name is so people know I [anonymous] the 3rd. And this is a little summary about me. *This portrait was edited to protect the identity of the student.
Segment 4: Saratoga Springs Airplane Park to South Valley Equine
This pictures represents one of my Idols. His name is XXXTentaction and he has inspired me to get out of the system and do better. The stopwatch represents all the time wasted when we could have changed out life or our world. The tree means the tree of life and how we are all connected and we are kelt alive by water.
Segment 5: South Valley Equine to Melissa Teaches Flute
Segment 6: Melissa Teaches Flute to Bel Fiore Rentals
I drew myself like this Because thats who I am, And that’s how I look kinda. I feel like like the Jordan river is dirty it has alot of dirty stuff, especially Because people just through stuff in the river, And one thing that I think about the great salt lake had alot of water not that long ago Now it’s almost unto nothing. It’s almost Gone. The river going thru my face represents how far I came from all the stuff I went through. A reason why the great salt lake is losing water is because people are using to much water.
Segment 7: Bel Fiore Rentals to Jordan Willows Park
My soul is the clouds easy to hone. My body small/ insignificant. My soul free, like the clouds, to change. Always moving. Always flowing somewhere. Like the Jordan river.
Segment 8: Jordan Willows Park to Willow Park
I drew this picture because I did[n’t] have anything in mind, and I did not want to draw myself. So I pick an Image from the milks we get here.
Segment 9: Willow Park to Ada Loop
Why I did this is because I live in Utah. There are beautiful mountains in Utah. The downtown is pretty cool and the guy in Jail is because I am locked up.
Segment 10: Ada Loop to Icon Builders
My thoughts Are like a River Keep em clean
Segment 11: Icon Builders to Olympic Park
I made mine like that because, I had no other idea how to do it, Just something simple for a simple person. I left my portrait plain because I feel that life is sometimes plain, but as you can see the three dots on my face that I have tatted meaning I have had a crazy life. Just how the world is.
Segment 12: Olympic Park to Eat Bakery
I chose the colors for all of my family. And for people that Have Died in my Life (mostly family). I Put the river over my artwork. It stands for all of the struggles that I Have been through and the struggles that I Am over coming in my Life. I put the scars on there for the Pain that I am trying to over come or that I have yet to face in my near future. In my Time of growing up all I wanted to be a good ball player but I was always Told that I am not good enough To be a good basketball player like Lebron James but I did not let that get me down I Pushed myself to become better at ball.
Segment 13: Eat Bakery to Thanksgiving Point Golf Club
This portrait is not me, it is E.D. When I hear about the Salt Lake I make jokes (I’m from South Dakota). But, it is not funny. What does this have to do with E.D.? When I think about S.D. I think about her. Then I think about how fortunate I am to live in a close to unaffected state.
Segment 14: Thanksgiving Point Golf Club to Rose Garden Thanksgiving Point
Looking in the mirror! I chose the Joker because that is what i am a joker a class clown. the money because i do like money. The free Zala because free me The wall saying save us because water is our life source and if we save the water we save us. The diamond because pressure and stress makes a diamond. The balloon just because! The all seeing eye because we need to watch our actions more. The water segment goes through the middle because water is Key. The water segment adds character and strength.
Segment 15: Rose Garden Thanksgiving Point to Oak Hollow
This Is my “Fish tank of Life.” In the fish tank there are 6 Living fish, 3 dead fish, and 1 dieing fish. My Life has Heavily Involved sports that’s why I included the sports equipment. There are a basket ball, baseball bat, and Hoop. There is also Locks on the Closets to show that I am in Lock up. The “treasure chest in the corner is supposed to show my hope for success in the future. Hopefully some day I will be wealthy. The Segment of the Jordan river Looked Like a snake to me so I glued it in near the snakes Head. I chose segment 46 because I Have been fishing there frequently. Near the golf course at thanksgiving point during the flower festival in 2021 and 2022.
Segment 16: Oak Hollow to East Jordan Canal
I Drew this Portrait Like this Because I like Desighner
Segment 17 (fork): East Jordan Canal to Bluffdale Gravel Pit
I Drew myself the way I did Because I wanted other to understand that we are 75% water. I Chose abstract Shape to keep it interesting. I chose multiple colors to represent water and how it can Be multiple colors.
Segment 18 (fork): East Jordan Canal to Firefly Equestrian Center
I Drew the Water man in chains to represent that the clean water is trapped from Getting to flow freely. It represent me by Im locked away from this Information that concerns my communitie. The rain dropps is the Different Polutions out water deals with. Free me and Free our water from being clean
Segment 19: Bluffdale Gravel Pit to South Jordan Canal
I chose to represent myself like this to show the conflicting way my personality colides. Water is never the same and neither am I.
Segment 20: South Jordan Canal to Perry Farms Baseball Field
The reason I made myself look this way is because My other half Is evil and I don’t wanna show that side of me. This river flows Into Salt Lake City where we live & breath!
Segment 21: Perry Farms Baseball Field to Adventure Awaits Gifts
I chose to draw my self in Bed with my head in the Pillow. Because it feels right to just chill and Live Life The way you want.
Segment 22: Adventure Awaits Gifts to Lynn Larsen Trail
I did this picture based off of My personality And What I like. I’m a Huge Denver Broncos fan and I love old english for various reasons. I chose A chain because I love my swagger. I chose My Hat because I love the New York Yankees. The color of the Jordan River I did was based on some star wars colors Because I love star wars. For all of the people/kids who want to become an Artist don’t stop untill your future becomes true. [Anonymous] Is my rapper Name so If you ever want advice listen to my raps.
Segment 23: Lynn Larsen Trail to Avery Hot Springs
I’m the fire hydrent cuz why not also I cant draw so yeay
Segment 24: Avery Hot Springs to AMG Equestrian
Keep the river clear. Stop using so much water For no reason. Otherwise we won’t have the Great Salt Lake Start now or you will Never see the lake again......
Segment 25: Avery Hot Springs to AMG Equestrian
I Drew myself this way because I feel like it explains alot about myself without saying to much. The river segment I placed on my picture is about the jordan river and how dirty it is.
Salt Lake Valley Youth Center: Jordan River, Miles 26-61
Segment 26: AMG Equestrian to Riverbend Golf Course
This portrait is filled with things that bring me joy - Family, art, beekeeping, cooking, nature, reading - to name a few. Water is a common unifying element which brings us together and gives us life. -Cathleen (teacher)
Segment 27: Riverbend Golf Course to Jordan River Rotary Park
[My portrait has] a Regular Awesome Dude that Loves Music [I used] Music Notes ‘Cause He Loves Music. [My connection to water is that] I Drink Water [I want people to think about my] Nice Hair Line -Jimmy G.
Segment 28: Jordan River Rotary Park to Riverbottom Butterflies
My Portrait consists of some of my values which are Love, Faith, Courage, and Inner Peace. It also has my head with an afro ‘cause I’m African American. I added a prayer in arabic and lots of colors. The marbled paper segment of the Jordan River symbolizes for me the very long journey of life. I want people to be more considerate of water and preserve it because not everyone has the luxuries that water provides. -Dalmar
Segment 29: Riverbottom Butterflies to Midas Pond
[My portrait has] some of the games I like. Each game has their main color. [My connection to water is that] in order to play games I must be hydrated and we need water to survive. We must conserve to preserve. -Jeff
Segment 30: Midas Pond to Tsunami Restaurant
[My portrait has] Things I like. I used all of the things [I] liked to do. I think [the marbled paper] adds beauty. I would like it if people could think of ways to save water. -Andrew W.
Segment 31: Tsunami Restaurant to Mabey's Pumpkin Patch
[My portrait has] Things I like. [I used] my favorite colors. I’m made of water 🙂 We need water to survive so don’t waste it 🙂 -Stevo
Segment 32: Mabey's Pumpkin Patch to River Oaks Golf Course
I express myself by drawing where I was born and where I’m from. Salt Lake City, Glendale. -Brady
Segment 33: River Oaks Golf Course to Big Bend Restoration Area
My portrait is things that are important to me. I used the U for Utah and then Loyalty, family, friends, and my last name. Water gives us all life. I want people to see the things that mean something to me and that they are supposed to look like tattoos. -A. Haro
Segment 34: Big Bend Restoration Area to Bingham Creek
(An introduction to your portrait) I was bored and could think of nothing else to write. (How the different elements express part of your identity) I didn’t have any of that in my portrait (How the marbled paper added to your portrait (or not)) I don’t think it added much to my piece. Take care of the water we have. -Nathan A.
Segment 35: Bingham Creek to Intermountain Home Delivery
This is a portrait of what goes in my head. and of what I like. The only color I used was black. I used words to describe what I like and a symbol to show God. I don’t have any connection with Jordan River. Really just want [people] to see and tell them not to give up. -Izaak
Segment 36:Intermountain Home Delivery to Winchester Park
This Drawing is Dedicated to Day of the Dead, my Loved ones. I used colors like red, Yellow, Purple, Green, and Black. I used these colors for my people to see light. Other symbols and drawings are Dedicated to my people and my flag. We all need [water] to survive, we Depend on it. [I want people to think about] Culture, Water, Love, Style -Kevin
Segment 37: Winchester Park to Cottonwood Grove
Hold your head high. I used my home state as A symbol. [The river represents] A long journey. [I want people to think about] How life will always flow on. -Daniel
Segment 38: Cottonwood Grove to Germania Park
Smile through it all. I am always smiling on the inside. The button[s] mean that I don’t really have my eyes. The river doesn’t represent anything. I just want people to see [my portrait]. -Rowdy
Segment 39: Germania Park to Little Confluence Trailhead
This is me. I used pipes for my name. I used as many colors as I can. -Zach
Segment 40: Little Confluence Trailhead to Clinical Innovations
In my portrait I put words that I think represent me, I put flowers because they are my favorite thing to draw, and last but not least I put mountains and trees because they are so beautiful to look at. I used the color blue a lot because blue is my favorite color, I drew leaves because fall is one of the seasons I love, And I put a quote on my paper to give me hope and to whoever reads it 🖤. I think the Jordan River adds a little - water maybe that connects to the mountains in my drawing and maybe the water is like the “dreams” [like my quote] showing that they will always be there for me to catch. I want people to think about how water - is very Important to our environment and that it is most Important to always try and help to clean up trash you see outside/near the river. -Yesenia
Segment 41: Clinical Innovations to Meadowbrook Village Mobile Home Park
This portrait is called life It has thing[s] that mean a lot to me ‘n represent[s] who I am as a person and in life. -Christian
Segment 42: Meadowbrook Village Mobile Home Park to Salt Lake Valley Detention Center
[My portrait] shows who I am in many ways. The symbols I used are showing I love music. The flag of Mexico is on there because I’m proud of my Mexican side. The flow and cycle of life. Being apart of the river is like a connection to the rest. Treat our rivers and water better and people as well. -Angel
Segment 43: Salt Lake Valley Detention Center to Salt Lake County Oxbow Jail
This is a portrait of what I Love. I put a baseball and things I Love to do like bmx. The water is going through the heart because I like it that way. Think about family and things you love to do. -Tyson
Segment 44: Salt Lake County Oxbow Jail to Eaton's Intermountain RC Raceway
This is a portrait with things that I need or love. I used all different kinds of colors [to represent me]. It just shows that we all need water and are all connected through it as well. I just want people to see who I am and what I live. -Joseph
Segment 45: Eaton's Intermountain RC Raceway to Redwood Urgent Care
[My portrait has] things I like. I used blue for my glasses because I have blue glasses. I put the Raiders symbol because I like the raiders even though we aren’t doing too good at the moment. I put the symbol of one of my favorite clothing brands. These things on here are things I like. We need water in order to function properly. -A. R.
Segment 46: Redwood Urgent Care to Jordan River Peace Labriynth
My portrait is the Boy in the tank with fish. The Boy is the part of the colors connection with a part of colors that is intense. What I think is that the colors in my drawing are the part of my life and the river is a part of the drawing. I want people to think that is a good, happy drawing I did. -Kashawn
Segment 47: Jordan River Peace Labriynth to International Peace Gardens
-Destiny
Segment 48: International Peace Gardens to Neighborhood House
This is my self Portrait. I used my favorite colors and colors of the earth, on the other side of the portrait is the things in my life that I care about and people that I love and things I like to do. The marbled-paper represents a part of the Jordan River. I chose the colors blue and purple because the river is colorful and unique just like the river even though the river can be nasty. I want to let people know that we should not be littering at all! And that we shouldn’t take advantage of water. -Taylor
Segment 49: Neighborhood House to Salt Lake Garfield and Western
I am a dreamer. I used my face & colors to represent my emotions. I wrote around me my values. The space represents my mind & how I use my imagination & my brain to dream & hope. & the water on top is a representation of it in my lives. I swim so water means a lot to me. Use water wisely, it is our life line. -Arianna
Segment 50: Salt Lake Garfield and Western to Cottonwood Dog Park
I chose to draw myself like this because I think that people really don’t care about how they are polluting the earth. Well guess what? Now is the time to start caring. SAVE THE WATER! I used these different colors because it describes how the earth and the water on the earth is being polluted. The green is for how nice the earth and water looked before the trash and dirty things that were dumped into the water which represents the brown. The Jordan river is added to my picture because it just shows that we need to save our water. -Mckenzie
Segment 51: Cottonwood Dog Park to Roots Disc Golf Course
I used blue and green cuz they my favorite color. -Mia
Segment 52: Roots Disc Golf Course to Rose Park Golf Course
-Khloe
Segment 53: Rose Park Golf Course to Regional Athletic Complex
This is me and the river. Why I choose black, red, and orange is because it shows my day how I was when or while I made it, Black meant to me when I’m depressed. -Makaila
Segment 54: Regional Athletic Complex to SandBar SLC
[My portrait has] things that I’m good at. The colors represent good and evil. The Great Salt Lake is drying up. Save our Ozone Layer. -Shylo
Segment 55: SandBar SLC to Club V Sports
I did my portrait like this to show things about myself. I picked that color for my river because I liked it, it has a very cool and interesting pattern. -Amy
Segment 56: Club V Sports to Wasatch Resource Recovery
-Sobrizna
Segment 57: Wasatch Resource Recovery to Gilmore Livestock
This is my portrait and I chose this because I went with the flow like water. I think we as a community should worry and help the water conservation. To be able to go into the future and live happy. -Daniel M.
Segment 58: Gilmore Livestock to Double Star Photography
We are all water. Each of the colors in my cutout of an area of the jordan river represents the different types of pollution that takes place in the river that we should each notice. The self-portrait is a representation of my identity and how I am not only a person but a person within the community. The earth on the face taking place of where the eye should be is metaphorical imagery for how we should see the world in its entirety, and not take it for granted, and realize the effects we have on our planet The fish and plants represent the ecosystems that suffer if we do not make changes, and try to come up with ways to minimize the damage or fix things to prevent more harm. Each of us is responsible for the damage and pollution of each of our communities rivers and lakes. We can’t reverse the damage, but we can make change so we don’t cause more. Hopefully, this gives you something to think about on the individual changes you can make. We can each make a difference. -Rylee
Segment 59: Double Star Photography to Great Salt Lake Wetlands
We should save the water. We are running out. Without water we die our pets. If we lose more water there is going to be less rain. -Ruben
Segment 60: Great Salt Lake Wetlands to New State Duck Club
-Zyian
Segment 61: New State Duck Club to Great Salt Lake
This Portrait is about The Jordan River and water. I hope people should be aware [of] the water and all the loss of water and all the ppl that work with water will lose their Job and we will lose all the food they make that we need and all the water we need to Drink, Shower, Cook, Swim in and all the fish that will be in danger and if you're like me I love fish and love fishing so plz think of all the water. -Xaviar
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