Walla Walla Octopus Mural Court Hearing
WALLA WALLA — The issue of a huge octopus painted on the storefront of the Inland Octopus Toy Store was back in court Tuesday. A judge will decide if Walla Walla is treating the store owner fairly, by fining him for every day the octopus is up. Or if the restrictions it has imposed are unconstitutional.
In the court of public opinion, it's clear the octopus has lots of fans, like mom Erika Jones and her daughter.
“We love the mural and think it really adds to downtown Walla Walla. We hate the fact that he's even had a fight over it. We just hope it stays,” said Jones.
Rachel Greenley says she visits Walla Walla often from Seattle to see family, but she rarely leaves without a stop at the toy store. She and her kids don’t understand why there’s so much controversy.
Her daughter Julia told Action News the octopus is “pretty cool.” Julia added, “I like it and I think it should stay."
That's the word on the street. In court, the question is not whether the octopus is nice to look at, or even if it brings in business, but whether the city's interpretation of the painting is constitutional.
From the bench, Judge Donald Schacht explained: "The mural is there, the question is if the ordinances that imposed restrictions are constitutional."
In court, the man behind this vision and the owner of the toy store, Bob Catsiff stood behind his lawyer as he presented 14 exhibits including pictures of other murals and signs in downtown Walla Walla. They argue these other murals and signs don't follow the same rules that the city has applied to this octopus. Catsiff’s lawyer also explained that a toy shop is more like an art gallery, and that it required some artistic freedom to engage and draw in children.
But the City of Walla Walla has argued the painting amounts to a sign, not a mural, and not art. And since it advertises the toy shop, it says the octopus is too big to be allowed.
And while shoppers may like the octopus, a couple store owners told KEPR they didn’t, and they didn't want to say that on camera, either. They feel it doesn't fit a vision of Downtown Walla Walla.
Now a judge will decide whether the city is right to fine the store or whether the mural can stay.
A boy shopping with his family, Sean Greenley told Action News he thinks the octopus is “cool.” But he has one big question.
“There's just something I don't get. Octopus can only survive in water,” said Greenley
And if the judge allows it, maybe even out of water and on the wall after all the “hot water” boils over.
The store owner was not allowed to give testimony today, but Catsiff's attorney spoke on his behalf. Paraphrased comments from the artist were also admitted. We'll let you know when a decision has been made on the future of the mural.
In the court of public opinion, it's clear the octopus has lots of fans, like mom Erika Jones and her daughter.
“We love the mural and think it really adds to downtown Walla Walla. We hate the fact that he's even had a fight over it. We just hope it stays,” said Jones.
Rachel Greenley says she visits Walla Walla often from Seattle to see family, but she rarely leaves without a stop at the toy store. She and her kids don’t understand why there’s so much controversy.
Her daughter Julia told Action News the octopus is “pretty cool.” Julia added, “I like it and I think it should stay."
That's the word on the street. In court, the question is not whether the octopus is nice to look at, or even if it brings in business, but whether the city's interpretation of the painting is constitutional.
From the bench, Judge Donald Schacht explained: "The mural is there, the question is if the ordinances that imposed restrictions are constitutional."
In court, the man behind this vision and the owner of the toy store, Bob Catsiff stood behind his lawyer as he presented 14 exhibits including pictures of other murals and signs in downtown Walla Walla. They argue these other murals and signs don't follow the same rules that the city has applied to this octopus. Catsiff’s lawyer also explained that a toy shop is more like an art gallery, and that it required some artistic freedom to engage and draw in children.
But the City of Walla Walla has argued the painting amounts to a sign, not a mural, and not art. And since it advertises the toy shop, it says the octopus is too big to be allowed.
And while shoppers may like the octopus, a couple store owners told KEPR they didn’t, and they didn't want to say that on camera, either. They feel it doesn't fit a vision of Downtown Walla Walla.
Now a judge will decide whether the city is right to fine the store or whether the mural can stay.
A boy shopping with his family, Sean Greenley told Action News he thinks the octopus is “cool.” But he has one big question.
“There's just something I don't get. Octopus can only survive in water,” said Greenley
And if the judge allows it, maybe even out of water and on the wall after all the “hot water” boils over.
The store owner was not allowed to give testimony today, but Catsiff's attorney spoke on his behalf. Paraphrased comments from the artist were also admitted. We'll let you know when a decision has been made on the future of the mural.
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