#ChehalisArt – representing our community through art
Our Design committee is committed to bringing color and vitality into our Downtown through new murals. We are pleased to work with the City of Chehalis and property owners on many of the art installations below. Each piece of art showcases a piece of our community. Our gratitude goes out to our local artists who bring talent, passion and spirit to these projects.
“Nature’s Library” created by Susan Clark, September 2024
“Nature’s Library” beautifully intertwines themes of our Pacific Northwest flora and fauna, depicting a beautiful natural garden landscape. Look closely and identify 27 hidden animals, including Felix, the neighbor cat who frequents the library. The mural has quickly become a fun and vibrant attraction, inviting visitors to explore the beauty of the PNW. Located at the Vernetta Smith Chehalis Timberland Library drive-thru area at 400 N Market Blvd.
“Lewis County’s Legacy in Agriculture” created by Thomas Sutley, October 2022
Agriculture has played a vital role in Lewis County since our community first settled. Each year, trucks loaded with corn and the aroma of peas and carrots in the air, signal the processing season is underway at National Frozen Foods, located in the heart of our historic downtown. This mural features combines working in pea fields, rows of corn, and colorful growing carrots. Grab a photo with our beloved “veggie wall” next time you’re downtown! Located on the West Street facing side of the National Frozen Foods processing plant at 436 NW State.
“Lifting up Chehalis” created by Emily von Flotow, October 2021
We could all use another reason to smile! In that spirit, we present our first selfie wall in downtown Chehalis. These whimsical wings offer a bit of beauty and fun and add to the vitality in our downtown. Stop for a selfie and share a little happiness! Located on the Boistfort Street side of M&K Town Store at 515 N Market Blvd.
“Chehalis Celebrates Aviation” created by Thomas Sutley, August 2021
This large-scale mural features Chehalis’ aviation history. Scenes in the collage-style mural include historic flights in Chehalis, Rosie the Riveters and local aviation record-setter Scott Crossfield. Located at the Chehalis-Centralia Airport on a hanger facing the Scott Crossfield Terminal at 900 NW Airport Rd, Chehalis, WA 98532.
“#15 at Sunset” created by Irisa Kennedy and Thomas Sutley, September 2020
This large scale mural features Chehalis’ historic #15 steam locomotive traveling through the scenic Chehalis River valley at sunset. Fun fact: starlight images in the mural feature actual crystals adhered to the building. Located on the north-facing wall of the historic Chehalis Elks Building at 463 N Market Boulevard in Downtown Chehalis.
“Garden Delight” created by Irisa Kennedy, August 2020
Simple daisies and butterflies offer a fun and whimsical setting on this downtown mural. Grab a group of friends, take a selfie, and become part of this garden scene! Located at the Market Street Bakery at 492 N Market Blvd, viewed on Boistfort Street in Downtown Chehalis.
“We Love Chehalis” created by Irisa Kennedy and Thomas Sutley, September 2019
Reflecting our community pride, this mural features the whimsical script, “We Love Chehalis” surrounded by roses, a flower often referenced as a symbol of our city. Located on the back fence of Chehalis Coworks at 478 N Market Blvd, accessed in the alley behind Market Boulevard in Downtown Chehalis.
“Kenneth Arnold” created by Thomas Sutley and Emily von Flotow, August 2019
Whether or not Kenneth Arnold saw a series of UFOs over Mount Rainier will remain a mystery. However there is no denying the popularity of the speculation, and as the first to coin the term, “unidentified flying object” he will go down in history for his 1947 flying experience. This mural is located in Downtown Chehalis on the public restrooms next to Parking Lot F near the Chehalis Theater at 558 N Market Blvd.
“Chehalis Through Time” created by Thomas Sutley and Emily von Flotow, July 2019
The mural depicts several eras of time throughout our Chehalis history. Eliza Barrett, a pivotal founder of Chehalis, and her first husband Schuyler Saunders are presented overlooking the lush Chehalis River Valley. Green forests represent the area’s natural beauty and Mount St. Helens is seen in the distance, in its post-1980 eruption form. The plane carrying the “Welcome to Chehalis” banner is a replica of Kenneth Arnold’s CallAir A-2 airplane which he was piloting when he made his famous UFO sighting at Mt. Rainier in 1947 after taking off from the Chehalis Airport. Did he see an actual UFO? Just in case, we’ve added a bit of extraterrestrial whimsy to the far left in the mural. The mural is located on the north wall of Ewe and I in Downtown Chehalis at 566 N Market Blvd.
“Beam Me Up” created by Emily von Flotow, July 2019
This alleyway mural brings a touch of fun and imagination of the alleged UFO sighting by Kenneth Arnold after taking off from the Chehalis Airport in 1947. It is located behind Pema Nails at 542 N Market Blvd in Downtown Chehalis.
“Mythological Mayhem” created by Emily von Flotow, July 2019
A unicorn, bigfoot, and yes, that would be a space turtle and a herd of Rainier Beer! Have fun with this delightfully fun piece of artwork. The mural is located behind Twin Cities Trading Post at 548 N Market Blvd.
“Why We Choose Chehalis” created by Emily von Flotow, June 2018
It’s always been the people who have made this community a wonderful place to live and raise a family. This mural depicts the relationships and sense of small town life that makes Chehalis great. This mural is located in Downtown Chehalis on the public restrooms next to Parking Lot F near the Chehalis Theater at 558 N Market Blvd.
“Chehalis in Color” created by Emily von Flotow, October 2017
Showcasing Chehalis’ surrounding natural beauty, along with the history of our local steam train and the St. Helens Hotel in a vibrant and colorful piece of work. This mural is located in Downtown Chehalis on the public restrooms next to Parking Lot F near the Chehalis Theater at 558 N Market Blvd.