Apricot Sculpture

Beneath the western slope of the Utah State Capitol, in Salt Lake City’s Marmalade District, sits a giant, bronze Apricot. It’s not a peach, though many mistake it for one. This 18-foot sculpture, a creation of artist Day Christensen, anchors the Marmalade Plaza at the corner of 500 North and 300 West. The Apricot’s story began seven years before its installation, a commission from the Salt Lake City Arts Council. Christensen’s task was to create a piece reflecting the neighborhood’s history. His research revealed the area’s first residents cultivated fruit trees on the hillsides, crafting marmalade to sell along the highway. This seemingly simple fruit became a symbol of the district’s past. Christensen meticulously sculpted the Apricot, starting with a small model and gradually scaling it up to its impressive size. The process involved molding, wax casting, bronze pouring, welding, and finally, applying the patina, the coloring that gives the sculpture its unique sheen. This Apricot isn’t just a piece of art; it’s a conversation starter, a symbol of the Marmalade District’s growth and transformation. The plaza it calls home is a new greenspace, a vibrant hub amidst the changing neighborhood landscape. Officially inaugurated in the spring, with seating areas amidst the greenery, the Apricot, funded by the Redevelopment Agency and the Salt Lake Art Design Board, offers a sweet reminder of the area’s fruitful past.