Pateros reflector mural restoration

Allison & Ross was contacted by VeriClaim, Inc. in 2015 for the restoration of a mural destroyed in the 2014 wildfires of central Washington. Artist Richard C. “Dick” Elliott (1945—2008) created this 17,000-reflector mural, “Reflections on the Columbia” in 1981, on two water towers high above the city of Pateros on a steep hillside.

To ensure a faithful reproduction of this mural using the artist’s own techniques, Allison & Ross worked with artist Jane Orleman (Elliott’s widow) and referenced historic photographs and other examples of his work in SeaTac Airport and Sound Transit’s collections. With approval from the client, the City of Pateros, and FEMA, Allison & Ross reconstructed the mural over a two-week period in the summer of 2016.

The restored mural was rededicated by the city 2 years to the date of the wildfires, and received the 2016 Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council Community Impact Award.

This project is featured in the Yakima Herald article Restoring Ellensburg artist’s work a symbol of recovery for Pateros.