West Seattle's Restored Mural Welcomed Home to New Library

 

 

 
The Jacob Elshin Mural is unveiled again in the West Seattle High School Library. Photo by Beverly Shanahan. Used by permission.
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.