PORT ANGELES — Jackson Smart will finish the mural that his friend, late artist Tim Quinn, left about half complete at the time of his death.
The Nor’wester Rotary Club, the mural’s sponsor, chose the Port Angeles artist over two other contenders Friday.
Smart said he was thrilled to hear the news.
“It’s great. I’m ready for it. I’m ready to do it,” he said.
“This is in his honor,” he added.
“Tim Quinn, wherever you are looking down, this is for you.”
Quinn was found dead in his Sequim apartment in December of complications related to cancer. He was 62.
The mural, known as “Olympic Visions,” is located behind the Conrad Dyar Memorial Fountain at First and Laurel streets.
It blends scenes of Rialto Beach, Sol Duc Falls and Seven Lakes Basin.
Quinn, who also helped paint the mural of the Norman train on Railroad Avenue and “Sluicing the Hogback,” both in Port Angeles, as well as two murals at the Railroad Bridge Park near Sequim, was painting Olympic Visions for the second time.
He originally completed the mural in 1999, but had to start all over again last summer after it began to peel due to sealant not being properly applied by volunteers.
Smart said he expects to finish it by the end of summer. The work will begin near the end of May, once supplies are ordered and scaffolding is in place, he said.
Nor’Wester President Doc Reiss said Smart was picked for the job because he knows Quinn’s style more than anyone else because of the work they’ve done together.
Smart also worked on the mural of the Norman train and Sluicing the Hogback with Quinn. The two artists both painted the Zaks restaurant sign downtown.
“There’s an emotional link there as well,” Reiss said, referring to their friendship.
“Jackson has an emotional link to make sure Tim’s work is finish as Tim would want.”
About 10 artists sought the job.
The other two finalists were artists from Seattle and Freshwater Bay, Reiss said.
Reiss said the Rotary Club will pay Smart $11,000 to finish the mural.
Quinn was doing the job for $16,000, and the club had paid him $10,000 at the time of his death, he said.
Reiss said that Quinn charged well below the market rate, and added that the club is still getting it done at a bargain with Smart.
Smart estimated the mural would cost about $48,000 to paint the mural from start to finish at full price.
He said he will make a plaque explaining Quinn’s work on the mural and place it in front of the artwork.
Smart said he will also continue one of Quinn’s traditions, putting names of people he meets while working on the mural into the painting.
________
Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
