We Make the Future Mural

Across a vast white wall, the We Make the Future mural proclaims a powerful message. This isn’t just paint on a building. It’s a living testament to a community’s cry for justice and remembrance. The We Make the Future mural, located in Salt Lake City’s Fleet Block District, isn’t just a piece of art. It’s a story etched in vibrant colors, born from the heart of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. Following George Floyd’s tragic death, artists transformed an abandoned building into a canvas of remembrance. Each panel bears the face of a victim of police brutality. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and local victims like Bernardo Palacios-Carbajal and Bobby Ray Duckworth stare out at passersby, demanding recognition. The mural quickly became a focal point for protests and a sacred space for mourning. The SL Mural Makers, a collective of anonymous artists, spearheaded this project. They poured their grief and outrage onto the walls, creating a powerful visual statement. The future of the We Make the Future mural, however, has been uncertain. The city plans to redevelop the Fleet Block, including demolishing the building that houses the mural. Families of the victims, recognizing the mural’s significance, wrote a letter to Mayor Erin Mendenhall in 2022. They requested a replica of the mural at the new site or elsewhere. They envisioned a “police brutality healing space.” They also expressed concerns about the site being used for profit, wanting to ensure the memory of their loved ones wouldn’t be exploited. In 2023, the Salt Lake City Council approved the redevelopment plans. The plan included a three-acre public space and allocated funds for a new art project commemorating the original murals. The city has held community meetings to discuss the future of the site and how best to honor the legacy of the mural. Ironically, the mural’s creators intended it to be temporary. One anonymous artist explained the original idea was to use the soon-to-be-demolished building as a temporary canvas. The artists wanted to show support for the Black community without speaking for them, hence their anonymity. The We Make the Future mural stands as a powerful reminder of the transient nature of street art and its ability to capture a specific moment in time. The mural’s legacy continues to spark conversations about social justice, gentrification, and the role of public art in our communities.