Events - ArtBack Mural Project

The ArtBack Artists' Cooperative was formed in 1992 by nine professional artists who joined together for a local exhibition.

The ArtBack story: We were overwhelmed by the tremendous support for this first show and realized we had the opportunity to play a major role in shaping the future of visual arts in our community while increasing civic pride. We are dedicated to bringing art into the local arena to benefit and educate the largest and most diverse population possible. We have instituted a popular mural tradition that has successfully brought together individuals, businesses and organizations, while creating lasting imagery that reflects and strengthens the proud achievements of our community. We are now recognized throughout the community as a vital force in the cultural and economic direction of the town.  Am Griswold is the lead artist for this year's mural to be painted on the side of the old Lent's Auto Parts store.

The current members of the ArtBack are:   

Kolieha Bush, Joe Cotter, Jenny Joyce, Norma Piper, John Freese, Am Griswold, Eileen Belanger, Robert Brown, Reeva Wortel, Emily Hyde, Sarah Harbin, Suzanne Dinsdale, Sarah Griswold, and Nolene Triska

The ArtBack Cooperative's Mural Projects
2009 - An Evening on the Barlow Road Designed By: Am Griswold Located: Napa Auto/Iron Kettle Building (Corner of Zobrist and SW 4th Ave.)
2008 - Tales of the Trail Designed By: Joe Cotter Located: Trails Inn, 397 N Broadway
2007 - Bird Party Designed By: Kolieha Bush Located: Y&E Market, 677 NW Wade The mural is inspired by the Geese on the library grounds daintly stepping along, looking as if they were going to a party. Great Blue Herons and Ducks join the Geese on a checkerboard dance floor.
2006 - Happy Trails Designed By: Eileen Belanger Located: 398 S. Broadway The mural depicts a summer's day along the many trails and campgrounds dotted along the Clackamas River.
2005 - The Heart of the Clackamas Designed By: Jenny Joyce Located: Les Schwab Tire Co., 140 SW Frontage The mural celebrates the 100th anniversary of Estacada, incorporated in 1905. It is a colorful and sweeping overview of the beautiful Clackamas River Valley.
2004 - The Quilt Club Designed By: Am Griswold Located: Back Wall, 325 S Broadway Street This delightfully colorful Quilt Club mural is a visual snapshot of the history of the Skip-A-Week Quilters.
2003 - All the World is a Stage Designed By: Joseph Cotter Located: Hi-School Pharmacy, SW 2nd Ave. This mural postrays actual Estacadans who are involved in the arts. We have painters, potters, sculptors, re-enactors, dancers, singers, actors, musicians, papermakers, playwrights, authors, poets & jugglers; encouraged and supported by an active arts commission.
2002 - The Tree of Life Designed By: Kolieha Bush, Reeva Wortel, and Emily Hyde Located: 4th Ave. towards Main St. The Tree of Life represents the interdependence of all life on the planet. We all need each other.
2001 - The Longhouse Mural Designed By: John Freese Located: Thriftway Market, 280 S. Broadway The rich traditions of the Northwest Native People are pictured in this mural.
2000 - Kinzy Faire Gardens Designed By: Am Griswold Located: North Wall, 262 S. Broadway This garden would be a well-kept secret if it hadn't been featured in Fine Gardening magazine.
1999 - The Ginseng Story Designed By: Jennifer Joyce Located: Wong's King Restaurant, 310 S. Broadway Ginseng was such an important plant for the local economy before World War I. This mural is in honor of our history and the huge Chinese ethnic strand to the development of the West.
1998 - Celebration '98 Designed By: Kolieha Bush Located: Harmony Baking Co., 221 SW Wade St. This mural potrays a sense of joy and happiness. The richness of spring in northwest Oregon is depicted with ferns, bleeding hearts, trilliums and violets, plants native to the area. The people are dancing through the foliage. They are celebrating life.
1997 - A Day on the Clackamas Designed By: Karyn Drum-Pivirotto Located: Les Scwab Tire Co., 140 SW Frontage This mural was located on Les Schwab Tire Co., 140 S.W. Frontage, but deterioriated and was replaced in 2005 by "The Heart of the Clackamas".
1996 - The Cycle of Wood Designed By: Joseph Cotter Located: East Wall, 213 SE Main St. The growth of the town of Estacada has a strong relationship with the timber industry. This mural illustrates the many products obtained from wood which together with logging, milling, slash burning and tree planting, complete the cycle of wood.
1995 - Early Trains of Estacada Designed By: John Freese Located: South Wall, 367 SE Main Street The history of Estacada can't be told without remembering the trains that brought the workers and equipment to build the Three Lynx Power Station in 1905. The trolley brought people out to Cazadero Station to spend the day in the country.
1994 - Fishing the Clackamas Designed By: Jennifer Joyce Located: SW 4th St. The pristine beauty of the Clackamas River is the pride and joy of Estacada. It is home to Spring Chinook and Coho Salmon, Steelhead and Rainbow Trout. Come on out and try your luck.