GPYC FEATURE
Capitalizing
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An Unexpected Peek into the Past When initial demolition of the Spinnaker walls began, contractors discovered hand painted murals of sailboats, Chris Crafts, and even a giant Muskie fish painted directly onto the plaster. These murals are believed to have been painted by local artists
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Russell Lange and Gerard VanderHeyden in 1939, when the Spinnaker was referred to as the Grille Room. The artists set out to depict the full range of activities that the GPYC offered its members. Because the murals were painted on the plaster, it was impossible for the contractors to extract them for historical purposes. It was decided by the
Project Team that the murals would remain safe and undisturbed behind the new walls. Luckily, we grabbed a few photos of them before they were sealed off. To view photos of the murals in their heyday, refer to page 64 of the GPYC Centennial Book.
