Service to the Arts by an Individual

Maria Garciaz has been the heart and soul of Neighborworks Salt Lake (formerly Salt Lake Neighborhood Housing Services) for 22 years. She instituted many programs that benefit west side neighborhoods and the people who live there. But Garciaz also saw beyond typical housing issues and envisioned an aesthetically beautiful neighborhood. She pushed for roundabouts on the streets and hired artists to beautify them, mentored artists’ mural projects, and conceived of Bridges Over Barriers, an immense mosaic project bringing together professional artists and community members.