SEE THE MURALS SALEM Downtown Salem hosts a handful of captivating murals, such as artist Damien Gilley’s “Mirror Maze,” which contemplates how people engage with urban environments. Nearby, the “Waldo Stewards” mural painted by Blaine Fontana honors Salem’s Waldo Park, and James Mattingly’s “Theatrical Heartscape” mural honors the historic Elsinore Theatre. SILVERTON Over 30 murals exploring local heritage, industry, natural beauty and more are scattered about this small town’s downtown area, and each is worth a gander. For example, one mural celebrates the pioneers of the Oregon Trail and another honors the Silver Falls Timber Company, which was among the largest sawmills in Oregon in the early 20th century. WOODBURN A trio of murals celebrates this town located in the heart of Willamette Valley farm country. One is a 200-foot-long painting that pays tribute to Woodburn’s old Pix Theatre; the colorful mural at Dahlia Plaza livens up the park; and the mural featuring images of the Fiesta Mexicana and a Russian Orthodox church celebrates Woodburn’s immigrant populations. MONMOUTH The city of Monmouth is home to a colorful mural that displays the city’s history both before and after European settlement. The 23-foot-long painting depicts a religious school founded in Monmouth more than 150 years ago, the Kalapuya people who have called the region home for millennia and other symbols of Monmouth’s history. DALLAS Stroll around downtown Dallas and soak up the color and inspiration of the area’s new murals. The community “Wings” art-mural project — inspired by Oregon’s motto, “She flies with her own wings” — includes a dozen murals designed and painted by community members of all ages. by local Silverton artists, Lunaria Gallery is an artist cooperative with monthly art shows and First Friday events. You can easily spend an afternoon in the airy gallery perusing the locally made mosaics, sculptures, paintings and jewelry. For a live musical, theatrical or dance performance, check out one of the Salem area’s nearly two dozen entertainment venues. Since 1954 the Pentacle Theatre has rallied the community together onstage, producing plays and musicals by local and nationally known artists. Whether you’re into ballet, Broadway shows, rock concerts or films, there’s always something to see at the Elsinore Theatre, a fully restored, former 1926 vaudeville venue. Willamette University’s Theatre 33 is a new play-development company that helps Pacific Northwest playwrights develop their scripts from the initial workshopping stages to the onstage performance. Keeping with the local vibe, Keizer Homegrown Theatre features an impressive lineup of live theater directed by and starring local talent and is located inside a historic schoolhouse. If you’re into Brazilian jazz or West African dance, the Smith Fine Arts Series at Western Oregon University in Monmouth showcases a striking mix of music and dance performances from around the globe. Classical music lovers can take their pick from the lineups of the Oregon Symphony in Salem, the Salem Orchestra and the Salem Philharmonia Orchestra. Check websites for current concert, performance and event information. Ron Cooper Joey Hamilton / Willamette Valley Visitors Association Elsinore Theatre Woodburn mural 17 TravelSalem.com
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