Our 2020-21 mural project incorporates a number of different themes like community, music, history, and environmental stewardship. Furthemore, the piece has a fun and captivating color palette. The background is a replica of Newberg’s scenery with the far distant mountains and rolling vineyards toward the middle ground. In the design there is an emphasis on landscape in order to draw attention to the environment and viticulture of our region. You see a diverse group of figures enjoying walks or rides on an imagined brick road, which is a nod to the history of brick-making in the city of Newberg. Buildings in the upper left part of the image are illustrative depictions of the public library, the city hall, and quintessential Newberg houses. A significant focus of the mural is the large tree to the right of the composition, which is a portrait of the Ewing Young Oak, an important historical landscape landmark for Yamhill County. We see both the roots of the tree, representing the history of our region, and the rings, again, referencing the many years this community has existed, which can also communicate rings of sound, or an LP record, paying some homage to the site of the mural on the Lewis Audio building. 

When the community sees this mural, we want them to see themselves in the history and future of our city. The figures in the mural are in an attitude of leisure and joy, embodying hope and care for each other. We believe that this mural represents Newberg: truly a great place to grow, and the Newberg Rotary, with their commitments to education, health, environmental stewardship and civic engagement. 

The 2020-21 mural team: Isabella Dixon, Elizabeth Bucheit', Lang Kanyer, Icey Lyman, Chandler Everett, Gabrielle Brinkman, Emily Pulver

GFU faculty rep. Jillian Sokso, project manager and advisor 

and Portland muralist Allison McClay, advisor and supporting artist