Sunday, November 6, 2011

Downtown Post Office Murals


In the main lobby of the Post Office, just above the doorways and the mailboxes reside two powerful murals.  You’ve got to look up to see them but its well worth it spend a little time to take in these wonderful works of art that celebrate agriculture and timber harvesting.   



The murals were painted by Portland artist Carl Morris, commissioned by the Work Projects Administration (WPA) funded and completed in 1942. The post office itself is a historic building that was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.  Morris’s paintings remind me of the work of the Mexican muralist Diego Rivera in the way they honor working folks.  



The post office is located at the corner of Willamette St and 5th Avenue.  Right across the street from the wonderful Smith Family Bookstore.