Lost Post Office WPA Mural Found, Restored, and Installed in San Francisco Bay Museum

Posted on April 9, 2021 by Scott M. Haskins

Just published in the prestigious newsletter for the International Institute for Conservation in London, “Lost WPA Mural: Found, Conserved, and Installed in San Francisco Bay Museum.”

Scroll to page 18 for the article:
https://www.iiconservation.org/…/journal/2021/b2021_2.pdf

Richmond Industrial City, 1941 is a WPA mural by Russian immigrant Victor Arnautoff, who was also the past project director for the 1934 Coit Tower mural project and protégé of international superstar artist, Diego Rivera. 

Juliann Stephenson and Virginia Panizzon work on the mural restoration treatments

Richmond Museum of History and Culture Saves Lost Historic Mural

The mural  hung in a post office from 1941 to 1976. After it was taken off the wall while the building was renovated, it was put in a crate and left in a basement. It took four years to raise $45,000 dollars to restore the canvas. KQED Reporter, Raquel Maria Dillon,

KQED Reporter, Raquel Maria Dillon, is quoted on the station’s website as promoting that the Richmond Museum let languish for 4 years, and was considered lost in a basement, a valuable and historic WPA mural by the renowned Art Director for the installation of the Ribera murals in Coit Tower Victor Arnautoff.

That was not the story at all. And its puzzling too. Because KQED says it is a proud member of NPR and PBS. But how could they be a proud member of these news sources and also be so sloppy about covering the preservation and restoration work done for the mural by a conservation team which is a noted and awarded PBS featured quality company?

Fine Art Conservation Laboratories is honored to have been a part of this worthwhile community effort to save their heritage and retell the stories important to their history.

Call to discuss any questions about your art you may have: Scott M. Haskins and Virginia Panizzon Art Conservators 805 564 3438 FACLOfficeManager@gmail.com

About Scott M. Haskins

Scott Haskins has been in professional art conservation since 1975, specializing in the conservation/restoration of easel paintings, murals and art on paper. FACL, Inc. is known nationally for doing A+ work no matter the size or difficulty of the project. We are happy to do a quick cleaning on a family heirloom. Our client list and resume is also full of very satisfied clients of large, difficult/complicated projects at remote locations. Excellent services are also available as an Expert Witness/Legal Testimony in art related matters. Consultation on art related projects occur regularly including extensive insurance evaluations for insured or insurer. Services are offered worldwide. Scott M. Haskins is also author of the "Save Your Stuff" series, educational information, materials and supplies to help people protect and save their treasured family heirlooms and collectibles at home and office. He can be reached at 805 564 3438. Video and written testimonials at https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/testimonials/
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2 Responses to Lost Post Office WPA Mural Found, Restored, and Installed in San Francisco Bay Museum

  1. Sharra Grow says:
    April 12, 2021 at 11:01 am

    I must give a huge “thank you” for your contributions to the April-May 2021 issue of “News in Conservation.” This magazine is a labor of love, and I can truly feel the love for our shared heritage and community emanating from your generosity–in sharing your amazing projects, personal insights, and of course stellar images and videos. Below are the links for the new issue of the magazine. We hope you will share and post these as you like.

    ISSUU: https://issuu.com/nic_iiconservation/docs/nic-magazine-apr-may-2021_issue-83_issuu

    PDF: https://www.iiconservation.org/system/files/publications/journal/2021/b2021_2_0.pdf

    • Scott M. Haskins says:
      April 15, 2021 at 1:13 pm

      Sharra, Thank you for your nice comment and for giving us, as the newsletter editor, the opportunity to contribute.
      I look forward to working with you again soon.
      Scott

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