Story and photos by June Russell-Chamberlin
“Dog Daze of Summer”
Just around the corner from the library in Eugene, Oregon, a larger-than-life boy snoozes in the grass with his trusty rust-colored hound on a summer day, his cowboy hat resting nearby. The mural never fails to make me smile and long for lazy summer afternoons.
The boy and his dog are just one of the more than 22 murals that have been added to Eugene since the 20x21EUG Mural Project aimed to install 20 world-class murals by 2021. The project organizers surpassed their goal and have successfully transformed the downtown area into a free outdoor art gallery.
Where to Find the Murals
Fifteen of the murals are clustered in a seven-block area around Kesey Square, a public plaza at the corner of Broadway and Willamette Streets. The remaining murals are a short drive, all within three miles of downtown. A brochure with a map and descriptions of the murals is available at the Eugene Cascades & Coast: Travel Lane County Visitor Center at 745 Olive Street, or by download here. Plan to spend one to two hours on a self-guided walking tour of the downtown murals — longer if you stop for a bite to eat, a cold microbrew or to browse the unique, locally owned shops and galleries.
The Artists
Funded by the city and donations from community supporters, the project is spearheaded by the City of Eugene Cultural Services Public Art Program, which brings together wall owners and artists. Jessica Watson, the 20x21EUG Mural Project coordinator, said the artists were chosen from around the world, coming from as far away as Afghanistan and as close as Eugene. “We wanted to show the world the best in the world,” Watson said. “We wanted to make our city a stage, really, and also show that we’re more than just sports here.” Also known as Tracktown USA, Eugene often draws international athletes to track and field competitions at historic Hayward Field.
THE MURALS
Mammoth Mural by Alexis Diaz
Each artist or team of artists brings their own unique style of mural art to their paintings. Some murals are inspirational, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. portrayed delivering a speech. Others are political, thought-provoking or even whimsical. Here a few highlights of the 20x21EUG Mural Project, as well as a few of the other must-see murals around downtown.
Commentary on Global Warming by Kari Johnson
Painted in soft glowing tones, Eugene artist Kari Johnson’s mural at 270 W 8th Ave. is a commentary on global warming. The oak tree is a symbol of the Willamette Valley’s history as a home for native people. Both acorns (piled on the left) and camas root (blooming on the right) were native foods.
Brooklyn, New York Artist Beau Stanton
Brooklyn, N.Y., artist Beau Stanton found the perfect canvas for his mural on the west-facing, 161-foot-wide back wall of the historic McDonald Theatre at 1010 Willamette Street. It’s a highly visible spot, above the boarding zones at the Lane Transit District downtown bus station. A better view is from the second-floor windows of the library next door. Stanton draws his imagery from religious iconography, historic ornamentation and classical painting.
“Discussion about the Red” by Franco “JAZ” Fasoli
Adjacent to Stanton’s mural is “Discussion about the Red” by Franco “JAZ” Fasoli of Argentina. It’s also at the bus station, on the south wall of the McDonald Theatre building. According to the 20x21EUG Mural Project website, the mural was inspired by “the dialogs that take place during art festivals.”
Ibis and salmon by Eugene Artist Bayne Gardner
Two blocks south of the bus station, at the corner of Thirteenth Avenue and Willamette Street, local artist Bayne Gardner’s ibis and salmon navigate the current in front of the fire station. Just down the block and across the street, he also painted a not-to-be-missed bonus mural at 1374 Willamette Street.
Martin Luther King, Jr. mural by WK Interact of France
Larger than life and captured mid-speech, Martin Luther King, Jr., dominates the south wall of the First Christian Church at 1166 Oak St. The mural was painted by WK Interact from France, who has lived in New York since the 1990s.
Jesse Owens by United Kingdom artist Matt Small
A portrait of Jesse Owens, the legendary African-American track and field star who won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics, commands attention at the entrance to the alleyway at 749 Willamette St. Created by United Kingdom artist Matt Small, the portrait incorporates found objects, including wood from the historic Hayward Field renovations at the University of Oregon campus.
More Murals to See in Eugene
The 20x21EUG Mural Project showcases only a portion of the murals in Eugene. The Whiteaker neighborhood has several murals that are not part of the project that shouldn’t be missed. Older — and some newer — murals are everywhere, so keep your eyes open, peek down alleys and get ready to enjoy these whimsical and intriguing public art displays.
