WestRock Recycling Mural

What whispers do the walls of WestRock hold? The WestRock Recycling Mural isn’t just paint on concrete. It’s a vibrant conversation between past and present, art and industry. The WestRock Recycling Mural stretches over 200 feet, a colossal canvas brought to life by artist Erik Pearson in 2020. This isn’t just a mural; it’s a visual echo of the paper mill’s 100-year history. Pearson, driven by a 13-year dream, transformed a blank wall into a dynamic story. Funded by a Knight Foundation grant and contributions from WestRock, this $50,000 project became a labor of love. Pearson spent 53 consecutive days, from the scorching heat of summer to the first snowfall, painting this tribute. He meticulously documented the inner workings of the plant, capturing the machinery and the recycling process. His vision was to reveal the hidden world within those walls. The mural begins in the 1920s, depicting paper drives with Boy Scouts and neighborhood scenes, capturing the spirit of a bygone era. It celebrates the hard work and community involvement that shaped the plant’s early days. But the mural also tells a story of loss. It honors three St. Paul firefighters who perished in a warehouse fire in 1949. This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the risks and sacrifices made throughout the plant’s history. The WestRock Recycling Mural is more than a work of art. It’s a time capsule, a historical narrative, and a testament to the enduring spirit of industry and community. It stands as a colorful beacon in an industrial landscape, sharing a story of innovation, loss, and the constant cycle of renewal, mirroring the very process of recycling that takes place within the WestRock plant.