It’s OK to stair

Newport’s Nye Beach gets stairwell makeover from team of local artists

As the leaves begin to turn brilliant colors on the Oregon Coast, s, too are the walls in Newport’s Nye Beach, with the town’s newest public mural, “All Things Newport,” being unveiled this Saturday, Oct. 11.

The event takes place indoors and out and will include kids’ art activities, face painting by Rebecca Sinnhuber of Americana Mayhem, light refreshments provided by The Tastee Tiki and live music by Chayag and Your Song My Song.

The multi-artist mural is located at the large cement staircase adjacent to the Newport Visual Arts Center, which connects the Nye Beach turnaround area to the streets above. Formerly more functional and less fun, the staircase now plays host to the colorful work of talented local mural artists Crystal Akins, Kim Bush, Gary Herd, Khara LeDonne, Miguel Martinez, Casey McEneny, Ram Papish, Carol Shenk and Ken Spencer and a panel designed and painted by local Latinx youth, guided by artist Emy Daniels.

A project of the Public Arts Advisory Committee for the City of Newport, managed by Oregon Coast Council for the Arts, the multi-artist mural was conceived by Newport Visual Arts Center Director Chasse Davidson as a way to make the formerly drab staircase more visually appealing. Each panel represents a unique take on what Newport means to the artists with one common element — the inclusion of one of Newport’s native hummingbird species.

Saturday’s event runs from noon to 4 pm at the Newport Visual Arts Center, located at 777 NW Beach Drive. For more information, go to coastarts.com or call 541-265-2787.