Salt Lake City Hosted 9th and 9th Whale Fest
The local community gathered to celebrate the unveiling of a new mural on the city's iconic whale sculpture.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Cultural
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Approximately 600 people attended the 9th and 9th Whale Fest on October 3. The event featured the debut of a new mural, titled Open Your Eyes, designed by artist Jiyoun Lee-Lodge for the neighborhood landmark.
Why it matters
The festival fosters local culture and provides a dedicated meeting space for residents. The whale sculpture was originally commissioned to symbolize the welcoming nature of the 9th and 9th neighborhood.
The festival drew 600 attendees during an 80-degree afternoon. The whale sculpture itself has stood as a local landmark for four years since its completion in 2022.
The players
Jiyoun Lee-Lodge
She is the artist who designed the Open Your Eyes mural currently displayed on the whale sculpture.
Stephen J. Kessler
He is the sculptor who designed and completed the whale sculpture project in Salt Lake City in 2022.
Michael Murdock
He created the first mural to be featured on the whale sculpture after its initial installation.
The details
The new mural, titled Open Your Eyes, features light pink and blue hues inspired by Utah skies and lakes. Designed to encourage contemplation, the piece features one eye open and one eye closed and is expected to remain on the structure for three to five years.
Timeline
Stephen J. Kessler finished the whale sculpture project in 2022.
The 9th and 9th Whale Fest took place on Oct. 3, 2026.
The new mural will remain on the whale sculpture for the next three to five years.
Industry Dynamics
The mural unveiling reflects a broader trend of neighborhoods utilizing rotating public art to drive community engagement and define local character. This project follows a pattern set by the 9th and 9th neighborhood public art initiative to foster social cohesion in urban spaces.
Residents can visit the 9th and 9th neighborhood to view the new mural at any time over the next three to five years. The public nature of the installation ensures that all community members have ongoing access to the artwork.
The takeaway
Community festivals play a vital role in maintaining the social fabric of local neighborhoods. Residents are encouraged to support ongoing public art projects to help preserve the unique cultural identity of their city.
Further reading
For more information on local arts events, visit the Salt Lake City Cultural section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Utah Chronicle.
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