Mural honoring Caves step closer to reality
From our weekly issue dated July 29, 2009
Wanda Goines poses near Illinois Valley Real Estate with her painting celebrating the founding of Oregon Caves. (Photo by Linda Corey-Woodward, for Illinois Valley News)
Wanda Burch Goines, an accomplished artist, looked around Cave Junction a few years ago, dismayed by the lack of visible signs or displays about Oregon Caves National Monument.
Goines, who has a fine arts degree from the University of Oregon at Eugene, wondered why there was no mural with the Caves on it in town, as Cave Junction is known as the Gateway to the Oregon Caves.
The Burch Family moved to a farm south of the future town of Cave Junction in 1936. Goines watched Cave Junction emerge and grow as she grew up. She said that there is not enough to dramatize the impetus for Cave Junction’s existence, as the monument is only 20 miles east.
Goines lamented, “So many local people have never been to the Caves, and it’s the only national monument in Southern Oregon.”
She envisioned a large public mural of the Caves in Cave Junction. She painted a scene depicting Elijah Davidson and his dog entering the side of a mountain in 1874, pursuing a bear. This vignette is on the left side of her picture. On the right side there are modern visitors exiting what became Oregon Caves National Monument.
In-between, Goines used natural rock formations, moss and plants to show 160 hidden animal shapes. One can spend hours staring at the picture on laminated placemats, seeking all the animals.
Working with Illinois River Valley Arts Council (IRVAC) member Judy Hoyle; and Lynn Johnson, owner of Illinois Valley Real Estate; Goines gained Johnson’s permission to place a 12-by-32-foot printed copy of the painting on the north side of the real estate building.
Said Hoyle as she beamed, “I just secured approval for placing the mural there from the Oregon Dept. of Transportation.”
All that remains is for the community to help raise approximately $6,000 for the print to be made and mounted on the building. Goines, Hoyle and a group of supporters hope it can be done this year, to celebrate the Oregon Caves anniversary, as well as those of the State of Oregon and the Chateau at the Caves.
They want people to look closely at the finely detailed Caves mural facing Taylor’s Country Store patio, and to be moved to visit the Caves and adjacent attractions. Goines wants residents to feel pride in the mural and the town’s connection to Oregon Caves.
An account for the “Oregon Caves Mural Project” is at Evergreen Federal Bank in Cave Junction. Checks for Goines’ laminated placemats ($15 a pair) and donations may be made out in the project name. Placemats will be available at various Cave Junction businesses, including Treehouse Florist & Gifts, and the lodge and gift shop at the monument.
IRVAC and other organizations will hold fund-raisers to help raise the money for the sign this year. They will ask businesses, individuals and foundations for matching grants to get the mural up before year’s end.
For more information or to donate, phone 592-4444, or donate at Evergreen Federal Bank in Cave Junction.
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