Richmond – Industrial City: Restored and now Unveiled

Calling all mural and history enthusiasts!

The Richmond Museum of History & Culture is inviting you to attend the formal unveiling of the fully-restored “Richmond Industrial City,” a mural painted by Victor Arnautoff in 1941.

This event is taking place on Saturday, September 30, 2023, from 12pm – 2pm at the Richmond Museum of History & Culture at 400 Nevin Avenue in Richmond.

Small finger-foods and refreshments are included in the cost of admission. Alcoholic drinks will be available for purchase. IDs will be checked at the door and wristbands provided.

All funds earned during this event will be earmarked for future mural upkeep and bringing other spectacular exhibits to view.

Background on “Richmond Industrial City”:

In 1941, a well-known painter by the name of Victor Arnautoff completed a mural funded by the Work Progress Administration’s Federal Art Project (WPA/FAP). The painting was commissioned to represent Richmond, California, and hung in Richmond’s Main Post Office located on Nevin Avenue. And there the mural hung into the late 1970s when it was eventually taken down during a building renovation project, stored without record and forgotten.

Fast forward to 2014, a conversation between a museum friend and then-Executive Director Melinda McCrary about the existence and unknown fate of the mural piqued McCrary’s interest. And thus, the start of a new exciting project began. “Richmond Industrial City” was found in the dark depths of the Nevin Post Office basement, rolled and crated. The mural was immediately sent away to be examined by art conservators who could better determine its condition. Though it hung for a bit over 30 years and was then encased in a box for another 30-plus years, we were delighted to hear the worst of the problems included some paint loss, remnants of lead-based adhesive and a moderate amount of warping.

Entrusted in the care of the Richmond Museum of History & Culture by the United States Postal Service, the Museum took on the huge task of raising the funds to restore the mural. Given its size, no part of this project was destined to be cheap, and so fundraise we did, for over five years!

We now invite you to join us in bringing this wonderful piece of once-lost art back into the limelight!