Community remains steadfast on keeping historic post office mural accessible under new ownership
For several decades a mural depicting the early history of Venice with the image of community founder Abbot Kinney at the center graced the foyer of a Works Project Administration-era post office. Now that the former federal building has sold to a private owner, community members are working to ensure that the public’s ability to continue viewing the historic artwork is not threatened. Created by renowned artist Edward Biberman, “The Story of Venice” mural was commissioned by the Section of Fine Arts of the United States and installed inside the post office in August 1941. Along with the preservation of the building’s historic characteristics, the protection of the Biberman art piece has been the central focus of residents since the U.S. Postal Service announced plans to relocate the postal retail operations to a carrier annex across the street. They argue that the mural has been a part of the community for more than 70 years and the public should not be inhibited from seeing it despite the sale of the building. “All historic post offices, including the ones done during the WPA period, as ours was, all share a single intent… promoting public appreciation and access to art and architecture equivalent to access that (the public) gets to mail,” said Jed Pauker, member of the Venice Neighborhood Council and the Coalition to Save the Venice Post Office. “These post...
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