Beverly Cleary Mural Debuts at Hollywood Library
PORTLAND, OREGON
A Stroll Down Klickitat at the Hollyowood Library
A whimsical new artwork now welcomes visitors to the recently renovated Hollywood Library, bringing beloved Portland author Beverly Cleary's world to life through the eyes of an artist who grew up loving her books. A Stroll Down Klickitat Street, created by illustrator and artist Kyler Martz, features eight illustrated panels celebrating Cleary's cherished characters, including Ralph S. Mouse, Henry Huggins, Ramona and Beezus Quimby, and faithful companions Ribsy and Socks, interwoven with the Portland places that shaped her stories. The backlit installation transforms the library's entrance into a stained-glass homage, celebrating Cleary's lasting contributions to children's literature.
Martz's personal connection to Cleary's work made him an ideal choice for the commission. His earliest memories include his father reading The Mouse and the Motorcycle aloud at bedtime.
"My brother and I were so fascinated with the world of Ralph S. Mouse that we immediately checked out the sequels from the library, followed by every one of her other books. My desire to build my own worlds, like that of Henry Huggins, was a huge part of why I began drawing around the same time. Inspiration from Cleary's themes of anthropomorphic creatures and mischievous household pets is still clearly visible in my work today." - Kyler Martz, Muralist
The mural reimagines scenes from some of Martz's favorite Cleary novels, including Henry and the Clubhouse and Ramona and Beezus, while incorporating landmarks from Cleary's childhood, including her childhood home, Fernwood Elementary (now Beverly Cleary School), Grant Park, and the Hollywood Theatre.
To ensure historical accuracy, Martz participated in an interpretive walking tour of the Irvington neighborhood led by Portland State University Cultural Geography Professor and PSAA board member Dr. Hunter Shobe. The tour included visits to the Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden, Beverly Cleary School's archive of Cleary artifacts, and the two homes where the author lived as a child. “Learning about Beverly Cleary's real childhood in Portland and what life was like in that era deeply informed how I approached bringing these characters and settings to life,” says Martz.
Working digitally, Martz drew inspiration from decades of Beverly Cleary book illustrations, Ramona paper dolls, and other archival materials, blending them with his nostalgic illustrative style to create original artwork that brings Cleary's most cherished characters to life in a fresh, contemporary way. Once the design was complete, the images were printed on film and installed on the windows in the Hollywood Library entryway. Lighting was installed behind the mural, creating a stained-glass effect, pairing with some of the original library architecture.
A Stroll Down Klickitat Street was commissioned by Multnomah County Library and managed by the Portland Street Art Alliance (PSAA), which facilitated the artist selection, research, and design process. The project came together with invaluable support from Malcolm Cleary (Beverly Cleary's son and estate manager) and HarperCollins Publishers. Graphic Print Solutions printed and installed the artwork.
“Hollywood Library is such a busy and beloved location, and we can’t wait to see our patrons come through the doors and experience all the new features as part of the library’s Refresh work,” said Annie Lewis, Director of Libraries. “And this work wouldn’t be complete without Kyler’s whimsical, engaging mural that pays tribute to Beverly Cleary’s characters and Hollywood Library’s central role in her world.” – Annie Lewis, Director of Libraries, Multnomah County Library
“This project represents everything we believe public art in civic spaces should be: deeply researched, authentically connected to place, and created with genuine reverence for the subject matter. We were fortunate to have guidance from individuals with intimate knowledge of Beverly Cleary's legacy, which ensured the artwork honors both the author's vision and the artistic legacy of the illustrators who brought her characters to life for generations of readers. When libraries invest in custom, thoughtfully researched artwork like this, they create spaces that don't just house books; they celebrate the stories, storytellers, and artists that shaped our community.” – Tiffany Conklin, Co-Founder and Executive Director, PSAA
