Local artist-cyclist begins new downtown mural in honor of Ironman World Championship

ST. GEORGE — A local artist and professional cyclist who has represented the USA in both National and World Championships has started work on a new Ironman-inspired mural in downtown St. George. 

TJ Eisenhart talks about the new downtown mural, March 23, 2022, St. George, Utah | Photo by Jessi Band, St. George News
TJ Eisenhart talks about the new downtown mural, March 23, 2022, St. George, Utah | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

TJ Eisenhart stood on the cobblestone streets of downtown St. George on Tuesday, using the side of a building as a large canvas for his newest piece of art. With the Ironman 70.3 World Championship set to take place in St. George for the first time, Eisenhart is in the process of creating a mural that will represent both the event and the athletes.

“I’m doing this for the Ironman Championship because it’s something I can relate towards,” Eisenhart told St. George News. “The sacrifice and struggle all these athletes have to put in to be at their very best, I’ve been there. I’ve been to the World Championships and done it all, so I can relate.” 

While spraypainting the mural background, Eisenhart discussed the overall concept, stating it will depict a runner, a cyclist and a swimmer, a representation of the full triathlon.

“We have a super beautiful community and the most beautiful area in the world, for sure,” he said. “People ask me in my racing career what some of the most beautiful places are that I’ve been to. Plain and simple, it’s Southern Utah.”

TJ Eisenhart works on a mural next to his truck labeled with his Imaginary Collective logo, March 23, 2022, St. George, Utah | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
TJ Eisenhart works on a mural next to his truck labeled with his Imaginary Collective logo, March 23, 2022, St. George, Utah | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Eisenhart said he predicts the mural will be completed by May 1, the beginning date of Ironman week. He encouraged anyone who is curious about the mural to come watch it being created at any time. 

About the artist

Eisenhart grew up in Lehi. He told St. George News about his childhood and accomplishments, saying that his parents realized his cycling potential and supported his dream at the early age of 8. As a family, they established a plan for him to accomplish those dreams, knowing he would need to live in Europe in order to race.

“I don’t think a lot of parents are like that, where they can see their kid’s potential at 8, if not younger and to believe in them and set a plan as to how to get to that dream the quickest way,” Eisenhart said.

He competed in his first USA National Championship at age 12, bringing home a silver medal in the Time Trial. He began racing in Europe for the USA national team at the age of 16. Eisenhart stated that he graduated high school a year early and moved to Europe, where he signed his first professional contract with BMC Devo Team. He also won the USA TT National Championship and represented the USA in two World Championships.

Although Eisenhart had been creating art his entire life, he said he felt the true artist within him emerge when he started taking beginner art classes at Dixie State. Because these were beginner classes, it allowed him to start fresh in a creative environment with no ego.

“Being able to do a lot with my cycling career in this state that I love and to be able to then take my other passion, which is art and for my city and community to appreciate it, it’s really just exciting to be able to contribute to the community,” Eisenhart said about the mural opportunity.

The new mural is located at 61 N Main Street and is viewable to the public.

Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery. 

 

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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