The Seaside Civic and Convention Center scored a home run with its July 8 art unveiling. Work adorned not only the walls but the open space overhead and exterior spaces. Imaginative displays added a world of wonder to the convention center.

Curator Drea Frost, a Cannon Beach resident, worked with a team of judges to distribute the $150,000 budgeted for the convention center, which features 30 regional artists old and young in images that capture the magic of the Pacific Northwest.

“Some folks that come to the convention center come from all over the world, and maybe they won’t get a chance to go out and enjoy some of the beautiful spaces, but they will have that here,” Frost said. “It really honors the nature and the beauty of the space that we live in.”

— Historic mural — 

Only a couple of blocks away, another artistic achievement is in the works. A collaborative effort will return the Native American mural on Broadway near Holladay, on the walls of the Ace Hardware Building. Donations from the city, the Oregon Coast Visitors Association and benefactors pushed fundraising for a cultural history mural on Broadway in Seaside over its goal of $20,000.

Funds were raised to repair the 60-foot mural mounted on the Ace Hardware building damaged in November.

The mural, by historical artist and muralist Roger Cooke, brings the culture and heritage of the Clatsop and Nehalem people to downtown Seaside.

— Wright to run — 

Council president Steve Wright is the first to declare for Seaside’s mayoral race. Wright, 68, grew up in Portland. He is married with three children.

He served as chief financial officer of an international grain company, with business, computer and human resources experience. Additional openings are ahead as Seaside two council seats will open. Stay tuned to this and all the election news as it breaks.

For this and more news, features and opinion, read us in print or online. We appreciate your readership and subscription!