For the past few weeks, a group of young artists has enjoyed a temporary home for their abstract artwork at a local police station.

The colorful array of three-dimensional pieces is currently being featured at the Community Art Gallery inside the Salt Lake City Police Department's Pioneer Precinct, 1040 W. 700 South.

"Our goal is to foster positive relationships with law enforcement and the community, especially with the youth in the community," Salt Lake police spokesman Lara Jones said. "So giving them this opportunity is important for us, and it's important for them to have a place where their art is on display."

The artwork was done by local youths ranging in ages from 12 to 16. These specific pieces were created in a workshop taught by Bad Dog Rediscovers America, a local nonprofit that works with youths through art classes.

The opportunity to have the work of the young artists on display for the public means a lot to the people at Bad Dog Rediscovers America and the kids themselves.

"When the parents and the children come to see their work is taken seriously, it is a huge statement to them," said Michael Moonbird, a local artist and co-founder of Bad Dog Rediscovers America. "It makes them feel that they are included in our community and society, and I think that is very important."

The colorful 3-D display was inspired by the work of Frank Stella, a living American artist. Stella has always worked with abstract art, whether in painting, printmaking or three-dimensional pieces. The workshop challenged the young artists to experiment in abstract art, which for many of them was a new concept.

"For the most part it was a challenge because they are not brought up doing that type of work," Moonbird said. "We try to use that as an education tool. A lot of people look at this type of work and think that anybody could do this. But the fact remains it becomes a huge challenge to make the levels work together in composition and design."

The precinct is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Nancy Baskoff, director of the Salt Lake City Arts Council, said the partnership between the police department and the arts council has been extremely positive and they have gotten great feedback. The Arts Council sets up the gallery at the police precinct every few months with new art.

The work from Bad Dog was scheduled to be removed at the end of November, but Baskoff said they now plan to keep it up until the end of the year.

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