A mural from the Westport Public Library was moved across town to Staples on Feb. 21. Hung in the auditorium hallway, the “Pageant of Juvenile Literature” stands tall, two panels across and features different characters from all works of writing. The 1934 mural was relocated to the school as a result of the library’s preparation for its major renovation, which is a part of its larger transformation project.
The mural was painted by the late Robert Lambdin, who died in Westport in 1981. On Dan Woogs blog 06880, Westport arts curator Kathie Motes Bennewitz was quoted and paraphrased saying, “‘Pageant’ was Lambdin’s masterpiece. Its complexity, and the wide variety of characters he painted, ‘touch everyone who sees it.’”
The painting has been in Westport for its whole lifetime, first starting in the old location of Saugatuck Elementary School which closed in 1984. In a New York Times article from the same year, they described the poor conditions the painting was going through, “In the silent and deserted lobby... the mural may crumble if left for another winter of damp and neglect.”
-Photo credit to Dan Woog-
Looking at the painting now, however, the damage that had been done has completely disappeared and the color is restored. Location-wise, it moved from the elementary school to the public library, and finally, Staples.
Even though the painting was installed over winter break, many students are just seeing it now and are reacting well.
“I think it’s really cool and a good move to the auditorium hallway,” Eloise Ahl ’21 said.
The painting had been in the library since 1992 according to Westportnow, however, many think it may have not stood out enough in that location. “I think it’s interesting, I notice it more often now then when it was in the library” Laine Ambrose ’21 said.
A rededication for the painting is planned for March 2, where principal James D’Amico and Westport Library Executive Director Bill Harmer will speak.
