A description of Gene Knaebel’s show: Several years ago, Gene Knabel visited Coit Tower in San Francisco. It seemed like a good site to take photos of the central city. Much to his surprise, he found that the interior walls were covered with murals depicting various aspects of life in California during the 1930s. He couldn’t resist the temptation to photograph these, along with the scenes of the city itself. Gene recently decided to print these images and share them with his friends here in Redding.
The murals were created as part of the Works in Art Program to provide employment for artists during the Depression of the 1930s. The artists were mainly faculty and students of the California School of Fine Arts. Most of the murals have been restored with the exception of a few that were painted over with a clear epoxy surfacing.
There are many more murals in the tower in addition to these. Most are available for viewing by the public without charge during the hours that it is open. Those in the spiral staircase, normally closed to the public, are available on Saturday mornings as part of a city guided tour.
Someday Gene hopes to return to the tower to find some additional material.
See Gene’s work through July at Vintage Wine Bar & Restaurant, 1790 Market Street, Redding. Meet Gene at a reception for the artist on Saturday (July 9), 6 to 9 p.m. Click here for ArtHop maps and details, available exclusively at aNewsCafe.com.
Adam Mankoski enjoys experiencing and writing about the people, places and things that embody the free spirit of the State of Jefferson. He and his partner own HawkMan Studios and are the creators of Redding’s 2nd Saturday ArtHop. Email your North State weekend events to adamm.anewscafe@gmail.com.
A News Cafe, founded in Shasta County by Redding, CA journalist Doni Greenberg, is the place for people craving local Northern California news, commentary, food, arts and entertainment. Views and opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of anewscafe.com.
