ADDRESS: 5745 Post Office Way, Sylvania, Ohio 43560
ARTIST: Melik Finkle
TITLE: Trilobites
MEDIUM: Plaster (relief)
STATUS: The cast resides in an enclosed bulletin board in the lobby of the building.
YEAR: 1940
A new post office, I thought to myself as I pulled up to this one. I was a bit confused because my sources mentioned there would be artwork. So naturally I had in my mind I would be visiting an older square 1930/1940 building. However, that was not the case for the Sylvania Ohio post office.
Needless to say I was really surprised to find the plaster relief artwork inside the new building. Not quite the fascination of a mural but since the new post office moved and installed the plaster relief, its much more accessible. The artwork is protected behind glass and set at a nice easy level for people to really get up close to the work. I really enjoyed observing this up close.
Having it behind glass was a challenge when I was taking pictures but at least I was able to get them. I’m delighted the post office moved the artwork into the new building as opposed to leaving it behind at the old building. Just in case you missed the original building I posted the pictures of this one yesterday.
Thanks,
David W. Gates Jr.
Sources
- Personal visit on 11/25/2012 by David W. Gates Jr.
- United States Postal Service
- (affiliate link) Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal
: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz.
I am Robert Melik Finkle, the son of the sculptor of the trilobite relief. I was 4 when I watched my father make it. I am glad to learn from this article that it has been preserved as it is made of plaster. I have the original drawings which include many different proposals and a small plaster model if anyone is interested in exhibiting them. Please contact me
Robert,
Thanks for the comment, and sharing this bit of history for the Sylvania post office artwork. I’d be extremely interested in viewing the drawings and model you have. I’ll be back in Ohio in November. Maybe we can meet up then. Thanks again
David
David, I just saw your reply by chance. I would love to show you all the drawings and model, but I live in Rochester, Vermont where I have a large collection of my father’s work. It has been my long time hope that the Sylvania historic society (if there is one) would be interested in exhibiting them,
Robert
Hi, Robert,
Darn, I guess I was assuming you were still in Ohio. I’m headed to the area over the Thanksgiving break and was hoping by chance we’d be able to meet. Thanks for the response and offer to share the stuff you have with me. I can’t tell you how excited I was when I read your comment.
I just visited a Postal Museum in Michigan and learned a ton about the postal service. The more involved I get with visiting and photographing them, the more I appreciate them. especially the ones with art. It invites me to learn more about them.
I have no immediate plans to visit Vermont, but most certainly would love too. I’ll keep this in the back of my mind and if I ever come across a venue where you’d be able to showcase your fathers art I’d most certainly keep you mind.
Take care, and thanks for following along
David
Can some one help me find my Dad? His last known address was PO Box 32 Sylvania, Ohio. His name Dwight Lee Rauch. My name is Dwight Lee Rauch Jr.
My email is jrandvikki@icloud.com.
Hi Dwight,
Thanks for the question. I think your best bet would be to submit this question on the USPS official website. This site merely has information regarding the building and art. It is meant for entertainment purposes.
Good luck and Thanks,
David