Artwork copyright Jim Kraft. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Colleen Chartier.

Artwork copyright Jim Kraft. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Colleen Chartier.

Lewis & Clark Trail, 1990

Jim Kraft
American (born 1949)

Location: Lewis and Clark Elementary, Wenatchee

About the Artwork

Lewis & Clark Trail is a three-part mural created by artist Jim Kraft for Lewis and Clark Elementary School in Wenatchee, Central Washington. Located in each wing of the school, the murals tell the story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804-1806. Captain Meriwether Lewis, Second Lieutenant William Clark, and their expedition group explored the western United States and studied the geography, plants, and animals. In this artwork, Kraft used footprints and animal tracks to show the movement of their journey. He notes, "I hoped that by not using human imagery that the students can put themselves in the journey and that the path can act as a metaphor."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Wenatchee School District.

About the Artist

Seattle-based artist Jim Kraft creates ceramic murals, vessels, and sculptures. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in ceramics from Northern Michigan University in Marquette. He continued his study of ceramics at the Factory of Visual Arts in Seattle, and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in ceramics from the University of Washington in 1979.