About the Mural

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The Bird Party was painted on the wall of the Y&E Market at 677 NW Wade St. in Estacada, OR. It is a joyous and whimsical reflection of the natural environment of the new Wade Creek Park and Library complex, which is centered around a half acre pond with a fine population of Canada geese, great blue herons and a variety of duck species. In addition to creating a sense of celebration of native habitat and fauna, the mural has an educational component in that it depicts native bird species in poses that show the varied markings, forms and colorations.

The Y & E Market burned down in 2007. Artback artist Joe Cotter went to the burning building and convinced the firefighters to continuously wet down the mural, informing them that the acrylic paint was plastic and could survive water but not fire. The mural was saved, and then installed on a free-standing structure at Wade Creek Park paid with Estacada's Percent-for-Art monies. See the burning building and mural below.