A series of hangars at Prineville Airport in Oregon have been transformed with a unique blend of art and history. Twenty-two murals of World War II aircraft have been painted on the hangar doors by local artist Glen Ness. The project, which began with a modest plan, has grown significantly, with each mural taking about a week to complete.
Originally, only a couple of doors were expected to be painted, but as the project progressed, it expanded to include an entire bank of doors. So far, 10 murals have been completed, and through this process, Ness has gained a deeper understanding of World War II planes and their development. Ness was commissioned earlier this year by Prineville resident Jeanne Zerbe to paint the murals on her hangars. Zerbe, seeking to give the airport a more distinctive appearance, provided one guideline: the murals should focus on Allied and U.S. planes. After reviewing historical books provided by Zerbe, Ness’s initial drawings were quickly approved, and he was given creative freedom to complete the project.
The backgrounds of the murals have been described as “unbelievable,” giving the impression of being in the air flying. Zerbe, who wanted to make the hangars less ordinary, has expressed her excitement with the results. Ness, who had little prior knowledge of World War II aircraft, conducted online research to guide his work. Challenges were faced when working with the corrugated metal surface of the hangars, and initially, spray cans were used to lay the foundation of each mural. However, concerns about waste and toxicity led Ness to adjust his methods.
The murals are not designed to be overly showy, but they are intended to be appreciated by pilots flying into the airport. Ness, who enjoys working on large-scale projects, found the experience challenging but rewarding. Reflecting on the progress, Zerbe expressed her pride and excitement with the final results.