In this artwork, how is the History discussed?
The statue was financed by a "group of generous Portlanders", and its commission was managed by RACC with assistance from members of Katz's former staff. It was unveiled on June 2, 2006, on the plaza at the south end of the Esplanade, just north of the Hawthorne Bridge and Main Street marker.Katz attended the statue's surprise unveiling during an event organized by RACC and funded by friends. Also in attendance were Mayor Tom Potter, three city commissioners, Bill Bane, friends, and former staff members. Wearing a lei brought by her son, Katz said the statue looked "far more beautiful than [her]" and encouraged city officials to continue expanding the Eastbank Esplanade south.The statue went missing temporarily in October 2013, leading to a promise to investigate on Twitter by then-Mayor Sam Adams. In reality it had been temporarily removed for repairs by RACC and Portland Parks. On September 21, 2016, the statue was vandalized. The graffiti included a swastika on the chest of the statue, and writing on the wall next to the Katz statue which read "Vera wants affordable housing". It is unclear whether the vandalism on the wall and statue were both done by the same person.In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a face mask was affixed to the statue as well as other local artworks.
Bill Bane vandalism vandalized Eastbank Esplanade lei face mask Sam Adams Tom Potter Hawthorne Bridge COVID-19 pandemic swastika