Spokane artist paints hotel mural

DAYTON–Spokane artist Daniel Lopez paints a mural of four characters from the movie Stand by Me, on the opposing wall of the Weinhard Hotel parking area.

New owner of the property previously known as the Weinhard Hotel, Padraic Slattery, commissioned Spokane artist Daniel Lopez to paint a mural on the opposing wall of the parking lot. For the last few weeks, the wall was painted over to become a blank dark canvas awaiting what would be the four main characters from the 1986 movie Stand by Me portrayed by Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell, River Phoenix, and Wil Wheaton.

The hotel will now be called Hotel Hardware and will be managed by Slattery. He shared his inspiration for the commissioning of the work in that the movie was filmed in a similar community to Dayton of Brownsville, Ore., where a train runs through. He particularly relates to the character of Chris Chambers, played by the late River Phoenix, who had a rough start but defied the odds to become a successful lawyer. The story ends with the heroic act of putting himself in danger to save others only to lose his own life. Slattery's own son is named for the character.

Lopez shares a similar story of finding success as a nationally acclaimed artist after fighting his way out of addiction. Slattery said of him, "He has single handily created an impactful art scene throughout Eastern Washington that carries a national presence. I'm incredibly grateful to collaborate with him." Slattery also commissioned an oil painting of a movie scene that will be displayed in the hotel's natural wine shop.

Plans are in the works for the new hotel to host an annual Stand by Me movie event. Slattery hopes that one of the surviving actors may attend. He believes "people from all over the country will travel to Dayton to experience this mural."