Urban Art Association

$2M mural from 1956 found hidden behind wall, by kuni on Mar 25, 2018 3:58:12 GMT 1,

So I'm staying at the Statler Hotel in Dallas, a really well restored hotel from the 1950's that oozes mid century style and design.  No expense was spared in the rehabbing of this hotel, it's really stunning. 

Anyway, immediately upon checking in I noticed this 25' mural in the lobby.  It's a stunning piece, so I asked someone on the hotel staff what the story with it is.  Found out that the mural was discovered hidden behind a wall, covered up for at least 30 years as the hotel passed through multiple owners and then sat vacant for nearly 20 years.  Apparently they were doing demo on one of the ballrooms when they tore down a wall and found this beauty behind it.  The new owner had the mural restored, and made it the showpiece of the newly opened hotel.  The piece was done by NY artist Jack Lubin, who has art in the Smithsonian, and the hotel had the mural appraised at $2M. 

Here's a piece from the Dallas News about the mural, with some additional pics: www.dallasnews.com/news/news/2012/03/15/as-statler-hotel-is-prepared-for-new-life-a-historic-mural-is-found

I love hearing stories like this and thought this might be of interest to folks on this board.  Have you heard any good stories about lost and found artwork?  

So I'm staying at the Statler Hotel in Dallas, a really well restored hotel from the 1950's that oozes mid century style and design.  No expense was spared in the rehabbing of this hotel, it's really stunning. 

Anyway, immediately upon checking in I noticed this 25' mural in the lobby.  It's a stunning piece, so I asked someone on the hotel staff what the story with it is.  Found out that the mural was discovered hidden behind a wall, covered up for at least 30 years as the hotel passed through multiple owners and then sat vacant for nearly 20 years.  Apparently they were doing demo on one of the ballrooms when they tore down a wall and found this beauty behind it.  The new owner had the mural restored, and made it the showpiece of the newly opened hotel.  The piece was done by NY artist Jack Lubin, who has art in the Smithsonian, and the hotel had the mural appraised at $2M. 

Here's a piece from the Dallas News about the mural, with some additional pics: www.dallasnews.com/news/news/2012/03/15/as-statler-hotel-is-prepared-for-new-life-a-historic-mural-is-found

I love hearing stories like this and thought this might be of interest to folks on this board.  Have you heard any good stories about lost and found artwork?