LePage: Tear down that wall!

The Maine Department of Labor Mural
In the summer of 2007, I responded to a Call to Artists sponsored by the Maine Arts Commission. The call was to
create an artwork depicting the " History of Labor in the State of Maine". After a reviewing process, I was selected to do
the commission. Along the way, I met some wonderful, and dedicated people. I also got an excellent education in
Maine History.

Below, is the 11 panel mural that was painted on 4 x 8 sheets of specially prepared MDO board. The panels were
applied to adjoining walls in the Dept. of Labor reception area. In total, the mural measures 36 feet in length, and is
nearly 8 feet tall.

The Apprentice : Here, a Cobbler trains his young Apprentice. In the background, are scenes from that era.
Lost Childhood : Child labor was common in Maine. They frequently performed dangerous tasks for long hours.
The Textile Workers : Young women were often sent to the mills by their families, who could not, or would not
support them.

 The Secret Ballot  :For the first time, workers were allowed to vote anonymously in 1891.First Labor's Day : In 1884, Maine celebrated it's first  "Labor's Day", a day for the workers to celebrate.
The Woods Workers :A member of the IWW or "Wobblies" tries to organize the Maine woodsmen.

The 1937 Strike  :  Scenes from an unsuccessful strike attempt to create better conditions for women workers.
Francis Perkins  :  FDR's  Labor Secretary, and untiring labor activist, a Maine Labor icon.
Rosie the Riveter : Maine's version of WWII women workers participated as ship-builders.

The Strike of 1986 :  The   International Paper strike in Jay, Maine. One that still divides the town.
The Future of Labor in Maine :  A figure from the past offers a hammer to workers of the present, who are unsure
of it's value in a changing world.

By Tricia McKinney

 - 

Wed Mar 23, 2011 12:44 PM EDT

Maine's Republican Governor Paul LePage is at it again. First he told the NAACP to kiss his butt, then he said the worst thing the chemical compound BPA could do is give some women "little beards." Now, he's censoring art to appease anti-labor groups who are offended by the idea of workers' rights.
Today Maine newspapers are reporting that Gov. LePage wants this mural removed from the lobby of Maine's Department of Labor.
The Lewiston Sun Journal reports that LePage spokesman Dan Demeritt said some business owners thought the mural was hostile to business. A different spokesperson gave the Portland Press Herald a complaining fax from "A Secret Admirer":

In this mural I observed a figure which closely resembles the former commissioner of labor," the person wrote. "In studying the mural I also observed that this mural is nothing but propaganda to further the agenda of the Union movement. I felt for a moment that I was in communist North Korea where they use these murals to brainwash the masses.

For what it's worth, the artist says her piece is meant to depict Maine's labor history. It's not hard to see why businesses wouldn't want to be reminded of events like a 1937 shoe mill strike or a 1986 paper mill workers' strike.  Especially as right now Maine union workers are protesting a Republican bill that would make it harder for unions to collect dues.
Gov. LePage also reportedly wants to rename conference rooms like the "Cesar Chavez" room or the "Frances Perkins" room so as not to offend businesses. So he's planning a renaming contest!
I bet you guys could come up with some great suggestions!

 

 

By Kent Jones

 - 

Thu Mar 24, 2011 7:58 PM EDT

Last night we briefly mentioned that Maine’s Republican Governor Paul LePage wants a mural currently adorning the lobby of the state Department of Labor’s building in Augusta, to be painted over.  Apparently the vaguely pro-labor mural disturbs the delicate sensibilities of Maine’s business leaders, who would rather not be reminded of labor at all, even in paint. Said Gov. LaPage in a radio interview yesterday,  “I’m trying to send a message to everyone in the state that the state of Maine looks at employees and employers equally, neutrally and on balance. The mural sends a message that we’re one-sided, and I don’t want to send that message.”  Message received, governor. Message received.

Since Republicans are exquisitely sensitive to the messages conveyed by the nuances of public art, it comes as no surprise that this fake (fake, completely and utterly fake) memo has been circulated amongst Republicans nationwide: