Artwork copyright Kay Slusarenko. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017 (detail).

Artwork copyright Kay Slusarenko. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017 (detail).

Artwork copyright Kay Slusarenko. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017 (detail).

Artwork copyright Kay Slusarenko. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017 (detail).

Artwork copyright Kay Slusarenko. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

A Tribute to Franklin, 1976

Kay Slusarenko
(Nationality unknown)

Location: Franklin Elementary, Port Angeles

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

A Tribute to Franklin is a stylized mural created by artist Kay Slusarenko for Franklin Elementary School, named after Benjamin Franklin. The mural presents many themes and symbols related to Franklin's life. She notes, "The circles in the mural are symbolic of life never ending but of continuous growth. The triangular shape in the center of the mural is a symbol for wisdom and the shape itself is representative of the mountains. The tower (with the symbol for lighten­ing) is next to the mountain. These are but a few of the meanings of my artwork. The most important thing is that the mural is located in the library where a world of knowledge is available to each child."

Take a look at the PDF pamphlet linked below under "Lesson Plans and Documents". It features a min-biography of Benjamin Franklin, as well as suggested reading.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Port Angeles School District.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Kay Slusarenko is an Oregon-based artist. She served as Art Department Chair at Marylhurst University in Oregon from 1978 to 1998. In 1980 she co-founded the Art Gym, an exhibition space at the unviersity dedicated to exhibiting the work of contemporary Pacific Northwest artists.

Slusarenko's birthdate and further biographical details are not known to us. If you can add to this information, please contact us at collections@arts.wa.gov.