Sandy Arts Commission announces celebration

“Peaceful Vistas” mural and local artist Roger Cooke will be honored August 8.

The Sandy Arts Commission will host a small celebration of the restoration of Roger Cooke’s mural “Peaceful Vistas” on Saturday, August 8, at 10:00 a.m.

The event will be held in the parking lot across the street from the mural, at the corner of 17450 SE Meinig Avenue and Pioneer Blvd. Plenty of space will be provided for distancing, both in the lot and on Meinig Avenue.

“We will be unveiling a commemorative plaque honoring the artist and last summer’s restoration,” said Arts Commission Chair Becky Hawley. “Much of the original paint had been lost. The entire mural was repainted, except for the artist’s signature, which was left untouched.”

The lead artists, Pamela Smithsted and Becky Hawley, chose to create a community project by including other local artists in the painting process. Arts Commissioner and Wy’east Artisans Guild President Marcia Morrow was joined by Micaiah Meyer, Vern Groff, Lori Putman, and Taylor West to total 280 hours of volunteer labor.

Smithsted and Hawley put in over 220 volunteer hours; the process took over three weeks to complete. “Countless passersby shouted and honked encouragement and thanks. A number of people stopped to visit and talk about the artist and the mural’s history,” Hawley said.

The mural was painted in 1993 for the sesquicentennial celebration of Oregon’s statehood on February 14, 1859, by local artist Roger Cooke (1941-2012). His work is best known for its historical depictions of local Native American tribes. He has painted over 60 murals across the country, particularly in small towns along the Oregon Trail.

The restoration project finished under budget, due in large part to Ernie Brache, from AEC, who loaned the use of a scissor-lift for the duration of the project. John and Allison

Milward, Ace Hardware, fulfilled their commitment to furnish Ace supplies and accommodate the volunteers, Hawley said.