Reported by: Eddie Rybarski
Lifelong Oregon resident Jon Barnhart remembers watching local artist Harry Nurmet paint a mural in 1976 for America's bicentennial celebration. Nurmet's craftmanship left a big impression on Barnhart.
"Harry Nurmet was an incredible artist and I looked up to him," said Barnhart. "His artwork was across the board. There was no subject matter he painted that wasn't appealing."
Barnhart is now an artist himself in addition to serving as Natural Resource Manager for the Oregon Park District. Recently the park district decide to replicate the mural in cooperation with the Oregon School District to honor the now deceased Nurmet. Naturally, it was Barnhart, with the help of Oregon High School students Jeanine Sheir and Eli Murray, who took on the job.
The new mural has a few touches the old one (since faded and obstructed by modern development) didn't have.
"I was thinking as to how I could paint the mural and recreate it in a way that would make Harry proud," said Barnhart. "I've added...some historical data to explain Blackhawk (Monument) being created by Lorado Taft when it was dedicated in 1911. And of course the blue ribbon that represented the Oregon Rock River. We have the bald eagle there which we have here in Oregon quite often when the river freezes over. It's kind of a history lesson as well as a dedication to Harry Nurmet."
In addition to the modifications in the work itself, Barnhart believes a new location - on the south wall of Max Media facing Route 64 - will enhance the viewing experience.
"When people stop here at the stop (light), a lot of times they have nothing to do but wait for the light to change. (Now) they can simply look to the right and see the billboard."
Barnhart says he hopes residents get the same feeling Nurmet had about the Oregon area.
"A love of community. Maybe it will bestow a sense of pride to where people will want to contribute to the community."
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Originally posted on MyStateline.com
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