- City:
- Pacific Grove, CA
- Site Type:
- Art Works, Murals
- New Deal Agencies:
- Works Progress Administration (WPA), Arts Programs, Work Relief Programs, Federal Arts Project (FAP)
- Started:
- 1935
- Completed:
- 1938
- Artists:
- August Gay, Bruce Ariss
- Quality of Information:
- Very Good
- Marked:
- No
- Site Survival:
- No Longer Extant
Description
August (Gus Gay) was hired by the Federal Art Project to paint a mural in the Pacific Grove High School Library in 1935. It was a very ambitious mural that took three years to complete, even with the assistance of young artist Bruce Ariss.
The 10 x 150 foot mural was one of the largest in California, depicting the Monterey coastline from Point Pinos lighthouse to Monterey Custom House, with Cannery Row at the center.
The mural was completely destroyed by a fire at the school in December 1946.
Source notes
Nancy Boas. The Society of Six: California Colorists. University of California Press, 1988: 162.
Thanks to Steve Ibrahim, teacher in the Pacific Grove School District and Eric Beck, San Diego State Library, for their help in finding an image of the lost mural
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Richard Rhoda
Jeff Rothal
Evan Kalish
Steve Hauk
Some sections of the mural can be seen on this website: https://www.mayohayeslibrary.org/
Ariss, not Arliss
Thanks; I’ve corrected the typo!
Now the mural on the former NOAA buulding at 1352 Lighthouse Avenue in Pacific Grove is being threatened. The government sold the property. The mura was created by much honored Alaskan artist Ray Troll. There is a movement to save the building and mural.