Springfield, Oregon Celebrates ‘The Simpsons’ With A Mural
Springfield, Oregon is welcoming the arrival of The Simpsons family. In an interview with Smithsonian in 2012, creator of The Simpsons Matt Groening revealed that the location of Springfield in the show was taken from Springfield, Oregon.
“Springfield was one of the most common names for a city in the US. In anticipation of the success of the show, I thought, ‘This will be cool; everyone will think it’s their Springfield,'” Groening said.
On Friday, the city of Springfield, Oregon announced that they will be creating a mural of The Simpsons featuring the entire family, Register Guard reported. Matt Groening, along with the producers of the show, will be having an input on the mural, which will be placed on Emerald Art Center at Fifth and Main.
Both 20th Century Fox and The Emerald Art Center has signed off on the project.
The city and the producers of the show have been talking about the mural for several years. They were thinking of a way to commemorate the link between Springfield in The Simpsons and Springfield, Oregon. Al Jean, lead writer of the show said, “The Simpsons connection to Oregon is something we’re very proud of, and we’re glad this is commemorating it.”
According to ABC News, a print artist who works for 20th Century Fox Television is working on the base artwork for the mural. It will show Homer lounging in a Hammock, Marge painting, Bart climbing a tree, and Maggie and Lisa riding a bicycle.
Springfield, Oregon will be looking for a muralist to paint The Simpsons soon. In a statement, Groening said that he is planning to place his stamp of approval on the mural once it has been completed. “I plan to sneak up in the middle of the night and sign the mural, I hope I don’t get arrested,” he said.
A statement released by The Simpsons publicist said that the mural won’t be revealed to the public until it has been completed.
In 2007, Springfield, Oregon lost to Springfield, Vermont in a contest where 14 US Springfield cities entered to see which city would win the price of holding the premiere of The Simpsons Movie. Groening was rooting for Oregon, and when they lost, he sent the officials with a plaque containing the message “Yo to Springfield, Oregon – The Real Springfield!”
The Simpsons mural is scheduled for completion in mid-September. Springfield, Oregon will be using tax revenue from hotel rooms to fund the $10,000 mural.
[Image via LardLad]
