South Jordan is one of the very few cities with a personalized map painted by artist Eric Dowdle. 

“After we put the offer out to highlight a city with a personalized puzzle painting, South Jordan was one of the first to jump on it,” Dowdle said. South Jordan received the email in 2022 with the offer and decided to promote the idea.  This project gained steam and was eventually approved by the city council.

“A town like this, I mean it’s a good story that takes everybody and what they do,” Dowdle said. “That’s why we like the idea of the wall being a puzzle, because with 5,000 pieces every piece matters.” Dowdle’s staff and South Jordan City’s staff worked together to thoroughly confirm every detail. Dowdle advised city members to be careful in sending photos, because they’re what he goes by to paint them.

The puzzle’s location was also a careful decision. They looked at the splash pad and play park equipment situated together. These adjoining features create a natural group magnet. This helped make the placement decision for the city’s newest accessory become clear. Confirming the addition of the beautiful Dowdle puzzle wall to this cluster was a good location because it is a community gathering place.

“We did put together an internal committee for the Dowdle puzzle project,” South Jordan City Mayor Dawn Ramsey said. “Eric Dowdle worked with the City Manager and council because he really wanted to paint individuals and make sure it was right.” Because of his thoroughness, Ramsey was impressed by the interaction between Dowdle’s staff and her committee.

The puzzle’s unveiling event drew great interest by city residents and many visiting puzzlers. After welcoming the crowd, Ramsey introduced Dowdle. He greeted the crowd and coached them to cheer every time he said South Jordan. After the black drape covering the puzzle was dropped, confetti cannons were shot off and South Jordan’s momentous and significant celebration began. South Jordan’s puzzle is titled on top with the phrase “The Future is Beautiful.”

“I’ve had the good fortune to do this in several cities all around the world and this one is a little more personal and tremendous,” Dowdle said. “I’m working outside of Utah now and it’s weird that the West has patriotism that’s a little different, most people think all the history is in the East, right? We like to make puzzles because each piece is important and we don’t have to add ethnicity to be different.”

The South Jordan puzzle can be purchased at City Hall, Mulligan’s Golf & Games and Fire Station #64 for $20. Dowdle is scheduled into 2025 and will be painting cities in Minnesota and Rhode Island. He can be seen in action on BYU TV’s Painting the Town with Eric Dowdle and in HBO MAX’s Peacemakers Series and on the Magnolia Network. South Jordan is on the famous Dowdle map.  λ