With each brushstroke, young muralists from Woodrow Wilson Elementary in South Salt Lake (2567 S. Main St.) created a powerful message of kindness, connection and community. In partnership with One Kind Act a Day and South Salt Lake, local muralist Connor Weight helped students involved in Promise SSL’s after-school program paint a mural as a reminder to create a more caring world. 

Weight worked with students before the event, identifying what they considered to be symbols of kindness. The kids wanted to include smiley faces, hearts, stars, suns, flowers and birds. Weight incorporated their ideas into the mural design, then prepared the mural and let the kids paint those symbols onto the wall. As a finishing touch, each child also added their handprint to the mural. 

“I just want them to have fun,” Weight said. “I want them to come and feel like this is a cool experience to have. I’d love for them to pull something away from it and gain some experience and get some art experience.”

The collaboration was part of the buildup to SSL’s Mural Fest, intending to infuse young energy into the event and foster a new generation of artists in the community. The kindness theme was a nod to Mayor Cherie Wood proclaiming SSL a “City of Kindness” in March. 

Actively working with One Kind Act a Day, city officials hope to promote kindness and inclusion to residents and want the mural to reflect that goal. 

“At One Kind Act a Day, we believe there is no better initiative than one that brings together school children, vibrant paint, a professional muralist and the full support of an entire city,” said Curtis Bennett, executive director of One Kind Act a Day. 

Students were excited to contribute to one of the city’s murals and many have aspirations about becoming artists themselves. They enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with their friends, learning more about mural painting.

“My mom does art, too,” said 11-year-old Leah. “She does her own type of art, like pictures of a marshmallow head and she paints trees. I like to do art, too. I like to draw people and do sketches.”

The mural is located south of SSL City Hall (220 E. Morris Ave.) on the wall separating the parking lot and Whitlock Park. For more information about the artist, visit ConnorWeight.com. 

“South Salt Lake recognizes the importance of investing in its youth, understanding that they will soon become the leaders of tomorrow,” Bennett said. “By helping our children embrace kindness today, we empower them to carry it forward into adulthood. The mural they create will stand as a lasting tribute, a daily reminder of the beautiful example our children set for all to follow.” λ