Rescue Public Murals Launched
The Seminole Peace Mural (1984) by David Fichter
is located in the Little Five Points neighborhood
of Atlanta. The mural's cracking and chipping are
due to the older brick surface on which it is painted
and poor drainage on the building.
On December 18, 2006, Heritage Preservation announced the launch of Rescue Public Murals, a national project that will bring public attention to U.S. murals, document their unique artistic and historic contributions, and secure the expertise and support to save them. The project recently received significant funding from the Getty Foundation, as well as from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Booth Heritage Foundation, and the Wyeth Foundation for American Art.
As one of Rescue Public Mural’s first initiatives, Heritage Preservation has put out a call for information on important outdoor murals that are deteriorating in communities nationwide. Individuals and communities are invited to submit information about public murals, particularly those that appear to be in poor condition, at www.RescuePublicMurals.org. These recommendations will help Rescue Public Murals form local committees that will work with Heritage Preservation and professional conservators to assess the condition of highly endangered murals in the United States and raise awareness and funding for their preservation. Heritage Preservation also has begun planning for a comprehensive database of U.S. murals.
In 2007, Rescue Public Murals will select 10 deteriorating murals for in-depth assessments involving a conservator, the artist who created the mural, and community supporters. The assessments will result in recommendations for conservation, maintenance, and fund-raising.
For more information on Rescue Public Murals, contact project director Kristen Overbeck Laise, Heritage Preservation, 1012 14th Street NW, Suite 1200, Washington DC 20005, 202-233-0800, klaise@heritagepreservation.org, or hwww.rescuepublicmurals.org.