On May 17th at approximately 9 pm, a new art installation entitled Light Capsules #40 lit up and magically transformed the side of the historic Waldron Brothers’ Drugstore building in The Dalles. A rotating set of brilliantly colored digital images of historically accurate “ghost murals” were projected onto the side of the building as the large community crowd cheered as darkness fell. This is a permanent installation so anyone passing by from sunset to sunrise will get to experience one aspect of the beloved landmark’s history.
Restore Oregon supported this art intervention that literally illuminates the value of the oldest commercial building in The Dalles and serves as a beacon of heritage and pride for the entire community. We have been working with the Friends of the Waldron Drug for many years since the Waldron Brothers Drug store was added to our Oregon’s Most Endangered Places program back in 2019 when it was threatened with demolition. Today, the City is now on a much preferred path of preservation and reuse.
Light Capsule #40 is the artistic vision of Craig and Jessica Winslow, the artists whose project is activating the building with this restorative and educational project. They worked in collaboration with the City of The Dalles and the Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Agency, who funded the project.
Restore Oregon was invited by Ann Moorehead, Special Projects Coordinator for the City, to say a few words along with Darcy Long, City Council member and chair of the Urban Renewal Agency; Eric Gleason, Friends of the Waldron Brothers’ Drugstore;David Benko, National Neon Sign Museum and the artist Craig Winslow.
Along with Eric Gleason and Jacqueline Chung and many of the Friends of Waldron Brothers’ Drugstore, Restore Oregon Executive Director Nicole Possert and board member Dawn Marie Hert were among the many guests and community members who came together at Lewis & Clark Festival Park on May 17, 2024.
If you’re traveling around this summer, be sure to check out The Dalles – Light Capsules #40, the National Neon Sign Museum (future home of the Jantzen Beach Carousel) and all the awesome murals located throughout their historic district that were completed in 2022.