The Observation Deck

World famous muralist Richard Haas is in town to learn more about Lakewood before starting on his newest mural for the NEW Lakewood Public Library.

As the Lakewood Public Library, staff, board of directors, friends of the Library and Art Committee continues the award winning work to make the Library the best it can be, it has found one of the best in the country to help with covering the bare walls.

Richard Haas has received a commission from the Library Art Committee to paint two 13' x 40' murals at the new Library. After much searching, Haas was selected because, in his four decades of painting spectacular murals he has proven his ability to make connections with the cities he paints, he takes a city's history, essence, and flavor than creates a work that can fill the gap left in the wake of urban renewal.

Richard Haas' Website
http://www.richardhaas.com/biofra.html

While spending time with him yesterday it was heartwarming and amazing to hear about his city as he learned of ours. More in this issue of the Lakewood Observer.


Lakewood Historical Society's Mazie Adams explains the history of Lakewood to world renowned muralist Richard Haas, as a bust of Jared Kirtland seems to be looking on.


Jared Kirtland's bust seems to be wondering, will Richard Haas remember the Kirtland Warbler, the "canyon the color of emeralds," the fruit trees...


As he comes to capture Lakewood, we capture him in this artistic rendering of the world class artist.

If you see Mr. Haas walking around the streets with Ken Warren, stop him and tell him what you love of the city.

To everyone at the Library, thanks again for going the extra distance. To Lakewood's newest friend Richard Haas, don't be a stranger, you will always have a home in Lakewood.

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Will the mural be on the inside or outside? His catalog of work exhibits both.

Just curious. Thanks.

Mr. Anderson:

These are two interior murals - oils on canvas - each 14 feet high by 33 feet long - that will be on affixed to the east and west walls of the Grand Reading Room.

A bequest from Doris Burkley, a a beloved and deceased teacher at Madison School, along with private support from the Lakewood Public Library Foundation have made the commissioning of Mr. Haas possible for Lakewood and our library.


Kenneth Warren
Director
Lakewood Public Library

Hi All,

Yesterday, at the request of Kenneth Warren, Director of the Lakewood Library, I had the honor to meet with Mr. Haas for about an hour and a half regarding Historical Lakewood.

I truly appreciated the honor, and the opportunity to share a few of Lakewood's historical tidbits with Mr. Haas.

Additionally, we hopped into my minivan and drove around the city, stopping at places from Lakewood Park, to the Metroparks Valley.

Mr. Haas learned about our new school projects, including our interest in preserving essential elements of the past- like the facade of the new Garfield Middle School.

We discussed Lakewood's being one of the last stops along the lake, for the Underground Railroad. We also discussed Native American links to the city. Mr. Haas seemed to enjoy the many types of homes that we have, as well.

He fully agreed when I suggested that people comprised the strength of our city. I shared with him that numerous other people over the years had predicted the demise of Lakewood, and that had not happened.

I for one, will be quite excited to see what sort of things will end up on his canvas!

As a personal note Ken, since you indicated that Doris Burkley gave a bequest that is going to support this project, it is gratifying for me to note that she was my second grade teacher at Madison, and the first teacher I had when we came to Lakewood!

She was great then, and her spirit is great now!