#muralists

Violet Oakley was born in 1874 in Jersey City, New Jersey. Oakley initially rose to prominence as an illustrator, but ultimately became known for murals and stained glass. She settled in Philadelphia, and became an important figure in the city's artistic life for nearly fifty years, founding organizations such as the Philadelphia Art Alliance and teaching at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. In 1902, Oakley was commissioned to paint 13 murals for the Governor's Reception Room at the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building. She was later commissioned to work on the building's Senate and Supreme Court Chambers when Edwin Abbey, the originally selected artist, died before he could begin work. Oakley created a total of forty-three murals for the Pennsylvania State Capitol.

Violet Oakley died in 1961 at the age of 86.

BLOG 2: Inspiration in Wynwood

Celebration of Life Mural

On April 10, 1996, local artists and members of the press gathered at Sumner Library to learn the names of the 12 young and emerging artists who would paint a landmark, but short-lived, mural on the northside of Minneapolis.

Over the following months, the selected 12 worked under the direction of local lead artists Seitu Jones and TaCoumba Aiken to bring to life the Celebration of Life mural. The design of noted muralist John Biggers, Celebration of Life used African and modern imagery to tell stories of creation and life through 24 uniquely designed panels. (A guide to the meaning of each panel is available in Special Collections.) The mural was painted on a sound barrier wall at the intersection of Lyndale Ave. N and Olson Memorial Highway and marked the first time the Minnesota Department of Transportation allowed a mural on one of its barrier walls.

Despite its celebrated beginning, the mural only stood for five years. Changes after the settlement of the Hollman v. Cisneros case led to the creation Heritage Park and plans to better connect this new housing community with the city street grid. As part of this plan, the sound barrier wall was to be removed, taking the mural with it.

On December 29, 2001, artists and the local community again gathered at Sumner Library to say goodbye to the mural. After a farewell ceremony, supporters and some of the mural's original artists walked to the wall one last time. On New Year's Eve, over the objections of protestors, the mural and the wall were demolished.

Look at this mural. Someone who posted it said she’s going to try to copy it. I can’t wait to see the results.