| Two years ago (June, 2000) this website carried a
Seattle Public Schools news release about the exciting discovery of
a 1937 three-panel WPA mural by artist Jacob Elshin. The mural was
discovered during the archivist's routine process of making an
inventory of historically valuable material in a school that was
about to be evacuated for a two-year reconstruction project.
At that time the discovery was the news. Now the news is that in
the intervening two years the mural has been restored by local
conservator Chiara Carcano, and reinstalled last month in the newly
remodeled West Seattle High School library.
The unveiling ceremony was performed at a special West Seattle
High School Foundation event on August 29th, 2002. Guest speaker,
Roger Van Oosten (WPA art historian), who had been searching for
the missing mural since 1995, provided an engaging slide show and
talk about WPA art, and specifically, about Jacob Elshin.
Visitors may view the mural, but should observe the school
rules, which include checking in first at the main office. It is
strongly recommended that visitors call the school first, to make
sure the building is open and that there is not a special class or
event taking place in the library.
West Seattle High School is located at 3000 California Ave. SW.
Normal school hours are 7:40-2:15, and usually the building is open
7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. The main office may be reached at (206)
252-8800.
For further information, contact Eleanor Toews, Seattle Public
Schools Archives, MS 21-345, PO Box 34165; Seattle, WA 98124-1165;
telephone (206) 252-0795; e-mail etoews@seattleschools.org. |
