Artwork to pay homage to Beverly Cleary, Hollywood Library’s role in her works
Contact: Liz Sauer, Multnomah County Library Capital Building Projects Communications Manager, elizabeths@multco.us
Contact: Tiffany Conklin, Executive Director of Portland Street Art Alliance, 503-841-7171, tiffany@pdxstreetart.org
PORTLAND, OR. — October 30, 2025
Multnomah County Library (MCL) and the Portland Street Art Alliance (PSAA) are expanding their efforts to bring community-centered artwork to libraries throughout Multnomah County. This work is part of the voter-approved 2020 Library building bond which will build, rebuild or expand eight library buildings. Smaller upgrades to 11 libraries are almost complete as part of the Refresh projects, which includes the beloved and active Hollywood Library.
The work at Hollywood Library provides smaller but still important upgrades on a shorter schedule than some other projects. Hollywood is expected to reopen in winter 2025/2026.
Exciting new features at Hollywood Library include:
- Improved shelf height to increase natural light and create more space for people and better sight lines
- An inviting children’s area with new, movable furniture
- New reading room chairs (both with and without arms)
- A Tech Bar which provides an area for patrons to use the copy machine, scanner and computers
- New meeting room tables and chairs that are easily movable to allow for a flexible space
- Automated materials handling to increase the efficiency of checking in and sorting holds, freeing up staff time for other work and getting materials to patrons faster
- Fresh paint and new carpet for an updated, inviting experience
- New artwork
- Refreshed restrooms
- New LED lighting throughout the building
Public art for the Hollywood community
Hollywood Library’s Refresh includes some physical space changes to make room for a new Automated Materials Handling area near the library entrance. This technology is much needed, since Hollywood Library processes the highest number of holds in the system. The automation will get books and other materials to patrons much more efficiently.
As a result of the physical change to the space, the library is removing a wall displaying a map of the streets referenced in Beverly Cleary’s beloved children’s books. This wall, which is not a mural or artwork, was created by the architects when Hollywood was last updated in 2002.
The wall will be replaced by a vinyl transfer mural on the vestibule glass. The project team, along with Portland Street Art Alliance (PSAA), is excited to announce an artist to reimagine the theme of the street map and create new artwork that will be an homage to Beverly Cleary and the library’s place in her world. The library and Portland Street Art Alliance are also working directly with Beverly Cleary’s estate and HarperCollins to envision this new artwork.
Announcing muralist Kyler Martz
Photo by Portland Street Art Alliance
Kyler Martz is a muralist, sculptor, and tattooer living and working between Portland, OR, and Port Townsend, WA. His prolific career has been internationally recognized through commercial work, large-scale public installations, galleries, and tattooed skin, and remains strongly rooted in the history and lore of the Pacific Northwest.
Though most recognized for his work with several Fortune 100 companies, his interest lies foremost in accessible work, through public art, printmaking, and tattoos.
Kyler’s Cleary connection
Beverly Cleary's work was introduced to Kyler at an important time in his early life. Having fond memories of it when he was a child, his dad began reading The Mouse and the Motorcycle to him at bedtime.
“My brother and I were so fascinated with the world of Ralph S. Mouse that we immediately checked out the sequels from the library, followed by every one of her other books,” said Kyler. “My desire to build my own worlds like that of Henry Huggins was a huge part of why I began drawing around the same time, and inspiration from Cleary's themes of anthropomorphic creatures and mischievous household pets is still clearly visible in my work today.”
When Kyler moved to Northeast Portland, one of his first stops with his dad was the Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden in Grant Park, followed by the self-guided Beverly Cleary walking tour at Hollywood Library.
As part of a deep dive into everything Beverly Cleary, Kyler took an interpretive walking tour of the Irvington neighborhood with Portland State University Cultural Geography Professor Dr. Hunter Shobe. Many adventures for Cleary’s characters took place in this historic Portland neighborhood.
The tour began at the Beverly Cleary Sculpture Garden in Grant Park, where Dr. Shobe gave a brief history of Cleary’s childhood in Portland. Next was a stop at Beverly Cleary School, which Cleary attended as a child, to view their display of Cleary artifacts, including their Henry Huggins neighborhood map and copies of some of Cleary’s most cherished works. Along the way, the group, which included Kyler’s family, learned about Beverly Cleary’s childhood in Portland and what life would have been like in that era. The tour also stopped at the two homes in the neighborhood where Cleary lived as a child.
In addition, as part of the research and design process, PSAA has obtained original paper doll illustrations and numerous physical copies of Beverly Cleary’s books to provide visual inspiration for Kyler’s original mural design that will include many of these beloved characters and places.
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About Multnomah County Library
A treasured community institution since 1864, Multnomah County Library is one of the nation’s busiest public library systems, providing social, educational and cultural programs, resources and services, online and through its 19 public locations. With an eye toward the future of community-centered spaces, the library is working to build, rebuild or expand eight libraries through a voter approved capital bond. In addition to being Oregon’s largest provider of free internet access, the library offers millions of print and digital resources, in multiple languages for people of all ages. From early learning to job training, computer-assisted design and 3D printing, the library supports all people in their pursuits to connect, learn and create. Learn more at multcolib.org
About Portland Street Art Alliance
Portland Street Art Alliance (PSAA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides access to resources, networking, and professional development opportunities for street artists. PSAA has facilitated commissioned work resulting in over $2 million paid to working artists and managed over 600 major private and publicly funded art projects, collaborating with hundreds of artists in the region. PSAA serves hundreds of community members each year through educational programming, tours, and community events. PSAA is actively transforming the public art landscape by developing more inclusive place-based programs that aim to increase access to art for everyone in the city and across the Pacific Northwest.