A 20-foot-long steel sculpture named “Kosmo” hopes to find its permanent home in Salt Lake City’s Granary District.
This impressive piece represents a Kosmoceratops, a herbivorous dinosaur native to Utah, and is the work of local artist and woodworker Garth Franklin.
Franklin envisions Kosmo as a central figure in the Granary District, akin to how the whale in 9th and 9th has become an iconic landmark in the east side of the city.
The creation of Kosmo is part of the annual open streets initiative, organized by the city, the Downtown Alliance, and The Blocks Arts District, aimed at promoting pedestrian-friendly streets and improving walkability in the area.
Last September, the initiative produced a temporary pedestrian promenade along 500 West, between 700 South and 800 South, on Fridays and Saturdays to assess walkability patterns.
With a budget of $15,000 earmarked for a small art display in conjunction with the initiative, Franklin was selected as the ideal artist for the project.
His previous work in the Granary District included the installation of a large sculpture named Hoodah, often referred to as a “trail troll,” resting on a section of abandoned train tracks near 400 West and 700 South.
Funds for Hoodah were raised by neighborhood businesses, and Franklin created the sculpture using recycled materials salvaged from a redwood deck in Park City.
Inspired by Hoodah, Franklin conceptualized Kosmo, striving to create a piece that was intensely local.
He reflected on the iconic 9th and 9th whale, officially titled “Out of the Blue,” but soon felt that it didn’t resonate with the essence of Utah as a landlocked state.
Seeking to draw from local history, Franklin explored the Natural History Museum of Utah and found displays featuring triceratops-like dinosaurs, leading him to the Kosmoceratops, which has only been found in Utah.
Through collaboration with paleontologist Mark Loewen, who participated in the discovery and naming of Kosmoceratops, Franklin gained invaluable insights about the dinosaur.
He had the opportunity to view actual specimens and the original skull, cementing Kosmo as the ideal choice for his artwork.
Unlike Hoodah, which is designed to weather and change over time, Kosmo is constructed with steel, providing durability for what Franklin hopes will be a more permanent installation.
Franklin partnered with Alec Gonos from Iron Mesa Studio to weld the dinosaur’s frame.
To preserve the Granary District’s character, Franklin also utilized salvaged materials from a building purchased by local developer Blazer Industries.
This allowed him to adorn Kosmo with rusted tools, machinery, and various shapes, reflecting both the “maker lineage” and gritty aesthetic of the Granary District as it evolves.
Franklin expressed views on the importance of accessible art, noting that both Kosmo and Hoodah belong to the community, fostering an identity within the neighborhood.
In the past two years, the Granary District has hosted events such as “Hoodah Fest,” which features food trucks, live music, and highlights local businesses and murals, all focused around Franklin’s beloved trail troll, Hoodah.
Franklin remarked, “He [Hoodah] lives outdoors, and he gets to see day in and day out what’s happening with our climate and the natural space.
So he’s a protector for all things.”
Tim Dwyer, co-owner of Fisher Brewing, serves as chair of the Granary District Alliance—an assembly of businesses striving for sustainable neighborhood growth.
Dwyer emphasized the group’s goal to relocate Kosmo to a permanent location on a traffic circle by the next Hoodah Fest, scheduled for September 27.
He stated, “We would like Kosmo to be placed in that circle and kind of make it like the whale of the west.”
Dwyer believes Kosmo would serve not only as a stunning piece of art but also help manage traffic flow around the area, while showcasing the district’s industrial nature.
Currently, Kosmo stands tall at the southeast corner of 500 West and 700 South, overlooking the very spot where he may eventually be situated.
However, relocating Kosmo will require constructing an elevated platform along with curb and gutter improvements on what is presently a painted roundabout.
Dwyer appealed for city assistance in solidifying a permanent home for Kosmo, adding that securing his final placement is crucial for enhancing the overall identity of the neighborhood.
Kosmo represents not only an artistic endeavor but also an embodiment of local heritage and community spirit in the evolving Granary District.
image source from：https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/04/19/9th-9th-whale-west-meet-kosmo/
