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South Valley Riverton Journal

Collaboration Brings Great Food and Local History Together in New Restaurant

Aug 10, 2015 11:00AM ● By Bryan Scott

Aerosol artist Sril brings the historical Widowmaker, the historic motorcycle hill climb in Draper, to life at Even Stevens.

By Aimee L. Cook

South Valley - Even Stevens sandwich shop and restaurant recently opened a new location in Draper at 541 East 12300 South in July. This forward-thinking restaurant group (three locations) is all about helping the community. Currently, they have donated 115,551 sandwiches to local nonprofit organizations around Utah in an effort to end hunger. In addition, each one of the locations has unique artwork on the walls. For the Draper location, Jamie Coates, one of the creative folks at Even Stevens, enlisted the artistic talents of aerosol painter, Sril. The result is an incredible mural of the historical Draper motorcycle hill climb, The Widowmaker. 

“Thousands were drawn to the annual Widowmaker hill climb event in the early summers between 1968 and 1988,” said Coates. “The goal? Top the hill or fall trying. Some of the most well-respected riders in the nation burned and bruised their egos there. Families, trailers, Coleman coolers, hippies and wannabe riders all gathered to watch as competitors attempted the 45-degree climb, and some were even smacked by falling bikes.”

The staff of Even Stevens found it only fitting to resurrect a bit of Draper history for patrons to gaze upon while dining. 

“If you were riding motorcycles in the 1970s, odds were you were one of millions swept up in the cinematic wave of Bruce Brown’s film, ‘On Any Sunday’,” Coates said. “In its 40-year history, the cult classic has both inspired new riders and reiterated a timeless resolve: motorcycles are sexy. What you probably didn’t know is that ‘On Any Sunday’ brought a Draper, Utah landmark to the Hollywood screen. In one of the film’s most memorable scenes, star Malcolm Smith takes on The Widowmaker. Yep, that scar on the Point of the Mountain just west of the big South Mountain homes was once the meanest hill in the sport of hill climbing.”

Sril, the one-time graffiti artist turned commissioned artist, brought the historical scene to life in just four days. This self-taught, master aerosol artist focuses on realism, and it shows in his work. Using a combination of just two different tips—a skinny cap and a fat cap—Sril creates a masterpiece on a wall. 

“I mainly just use free-hand spray paint, no masking or stencils,” Sril said. “I continue to learn on every piece I paint. I have been drawing since I was a kid and when I was in middle school I had an art teacher that let me do what I wanted. I was never interested in the school projects; I used it as a way to hone my own craft.”

Sril also does web design and development, and designs clothing. Following his map on Instagram lets you know what other murals and street art he has created around the state.