Portland, August 10th. Six large scale mural projects are recently completed or underway in Portland this summer – all recipients of grant funding from the Regional Arts & Culture Council. RACC’s public art mural program, financed by the City of Portland, provides funding for community murals that reflect diversity in style and media and encourages artists from diverse backgrounds and range of experience to apply. In the photo above, Korean-American artist, Una Kim, has been feverishly working on a mural on the east wall of the Keller Auditorium with the assistance of students from Portland State University who enrolled in a class to specifically work on this project. The mural is located on the bottom half of the east facing wall of the Keller Auditorium along SW 2nd Street between SW Clay and SW Columbia. The design is influenced and inspired by such works as Degas’ ballerinas, Mary Cassatt’s At the Opera, and Dufy’s The Yellow Violin. Also included are a modern dancer, two musicians in an orchestra, and a jazz musician along with an acrobat to represent the large scope of the theater. A celebration is scheduled for Friday, August 17th, 6:00 – 8:00 PM (on SW 2nd);
Antwoine Thomas, mural designer, puts finishing touches on the Rosewood Initiative Mural, one of six new murals being created around Portland this summer. The Rosewood Mural will have an opening celebration this Saturday, August 11, 1-4pm at 16150 SE Stark.
Rosewood Initiative – Antwoine Thomas, Artist 16150 SE Stark St (south wall of Union 76 Gas Station); RACC Funding: $3,000
In developing this fantastical design for a mural in the Rosewood Neighborhood, Antwoine Thomas, with the assistance and support of Addie Boswell, began collaborating months ago with local residents through The Rosewood Initiative community meetings and activities like Youth Night to create a design that represents the positive change occurring in the neighborhood. Throughout the energetic mural one can identify recognizable elements from Rosewood including roses, community gardens, diversity, and local businesses. There are also elements that link the neighborhood to the greater Portland metro area, honoring some of the neighborhoods from which many residents have relocated. While the mural contains these true elements, the design is also highly detailed and fantastical, meant to entice the senses and invite the eye to linger and keep discovering.
The People’s History of Hawthorne – Artist, Chris Haberman Fraternal Order of Eagles, SE 50th & Hawthorne; RACC Funding $2,400;
Work continues on this ambitious mural that extends along the north and west walls of the building that serves as the Portland headquarters for the Fraternal Order of Eagles. The mural’s theme, “The History of Hawthorne” – or the “people’s history” — celebrates this SE neighborhood, located between an extinct volcano (Mt. Tabor) and the 100 year old Hawthorne Bridge, both components of his design. Scattered throughout the mural are notable historical figures (such as Dr. Hawthorne), the asylum, pioneers, the street car line and the always changing figures that have been part of Hawthorne for 100 years. It is Haberman’s first mural grant and he is “very proud to have such a piece of art in public view and to have so much support for my crazy looking art in the city.” A celebration was held on July 1st. The west wall will be completed late summer/early fall.
Albina Maintenance Yard Building – Spacecraft Mission to the Arts 3150 N. Mississippi Ave.; RACC Funding: $10,000; 14’H x 177’L
Photo: Courtesy of SpaceCraft Mission to the Arts
Over the last several months, a mural has begun to take shape along the west side of the City’s Albina Yard Maintenance Building. Throughout the design development, community engagement has been the driving force—the Boise Neighborhood Association, community members, and the maintenance workers have all contributed their voices as to how they want themselves and their neighborhood depicted. More than a way to deter graffiti, it is a powerful, collaborative, self-reflective vision of the neighborhood created by those who live in it. The mural embraces a theme of “perpetual collaboration” through time. Community practices and industries that affected the local Portland-Albina neighborhood can be found among the local mountains, bridges, gardens, parks, icons of communities, and city workers behind the scenes that keep the city functioning. Included are symbols of the neighborhoods’ transitions of communities from the Native American, Volga German, Finn, Chinese, and African American communities. You can follow the project on https://www.facebook.com/spacecraft.missiontoarts.
Alberta Street Crossing – Loey Hargrove, Artist 4824 and 4905 NE 42nd Avenue; RACC Funding: $3,000; 11’H x 77’W and 13’H x 50’W
Photo: Courtesy of artist (proposed mural)
Finishing touches are underway on a pair of twin murals at NE 42nd & Alberta. Members of 42MSC began working on the project at the Alberta Court Crossing — one on the north-facing wall of the Morel Ink Building and another on the south-facing wall of Doggy Business. The murals aspire to invoke community through a “Tree of Life’ theme symbolizing process, change, the continuity and connectivity of life. Words submitted by members of the surrounding neighborhoods are being added to the mural and are intended to reinforce the symbiotic relationship between the commercial district and area residents.
Lutz Building – Mike Lawrence, Artist 4625-4639 SE Woodstock Blvd; RACC Funding: $6,000; 15’H x 60’L
Photo: Courtesy of artist (proposed mural)
This proposed mural is situated centrally in the Woodstock Neighborhood and is highly visible from the street. The mural aims to highlight the best of the neighborhood and instill a sense of community pride. Local artist Mike Lawrence designed a mural for the building’s west wall that celebrates commerce, education and the outdoors. The Lutz tavern wall that will host the mural is divided into three sections, as is the mural. A strong central figure grounds each section. Each figure is adorned with symbols of Greek Gods that represent the theme of each section. The project is still fundraising and hopes to begin the project next Spring.
For more information and a copy of the mural program guidelines, visit www.racc.org/public-art.
Story Submitted by Mary Bauer, Communications Associate, Regional Arts & Culture Council
London, August 8th. In this, the second and final week of the 2012 Games in London, official Olympic photographers are occasionally turning their cameras away from the athletes and toward notable spectators like Microsoft chairman Bill Gates who watched Roger Federer take on Juan Martin Del Potro.
At this international event where 83-million dollar aircraft are flying overhead and Paul Allen’s yacht, The Octopus, is docked city-side, people watching is popular.
Twenty athletes from Oregon and Southwest Washington are representing the USA. The presence of VIPs and royalty add to the prestige, but also ratchet up the glare of the international spotlight at the events.
Here’s a collection of some of the “who’s who” on the Olympic sidelines.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge enjoy the Track Cycling action on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Velodrome.
Former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice attends a Basketball game between Brazil and Spain on Day 10 of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Sir Paul McCartney, Stella McCartney and Alasdhair Willis at the women’s Team Pursuit Track Cycling finals on Day 8 at the Velodrome.
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York with her daughters Princess Eugenie (L) and Princess Beatrice enjoy the atmosphere as they watch the Track Cycling on Day 11 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Velodrome.
Queen Margrethe of Denmark watches the men’s doubles Badminton gold medal match between Yun Cai and Haifeng Fu of China and Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen of Denmark on Day 9 of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Prince Daniel of Sweden (R) and Prince Carl Philip of Sweden look on during the men’s Double Trap Shooting final on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at The Royal Artillery Barracks
Prince Harry, Princess Eugenie, and Princess Beatrice watch the Eventing Cross Country Equestrian on Day 3 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Greenwich Park
Prince Harry holds a Kangaroo given to him by Australian athletes as he walks with Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, MP Tessa Jowell (L) and Mayor of the Olympic Village Sir Charles Allen (R) during a visit to the Team GB accommodation in the Athletes Village on Day 4 of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Prince Alexander of the Netherlands looks on during the Judo on Day 3 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at ExCeL.
Footballer David Beckham watches with his son Brooklyn during the men’s Football first round group A match between Great Britain and United Arab Emirates on Day 2 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium.
Greg Norman, Australian golfer, and his wife Kirsten Kutner (L) watch the men’s singles Tennis match between Andy Murray of Great Britain and Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland on Day 2 of the London 2012 Olympic Games in Wimbledon.
The US First Lady, Michelle Obama, is following in the steps of her predecessors Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush, who headed the American delegations to the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, and the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy, respectively.
Prince Albert II of Monaco presents medals on the podium during the Victory Ceremony following the women’s 400m Freestyle final on Day 2 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre.
HRH Prince Charles, Prince of Wales watches Badminton on Day 1 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Wembley Arena.
Here’s a story from Today Tonight, an Australian current affairs show, about London’s rich and famous where no expense is spared.
Tualatin, July 28th. There were 359 runners and walkers at a popular fundraiser for the Cat Adoption Team. The race raised more than $24,000. The Cat Adoption Team is the largest feline adoption guarantee nonprofit shelter in the Pacific Northwest. It has found homes for more than 28,400 cats since opening in 1998. The CATnip 5k & Mouse Miler is the organization’s largest public fundraising event.
The CATnip 5k steps off with runners and walkers taking part in this USATF twilight event.
The CATnip team of volunteers from Tualatin Petco included Aisha Beck, Noralyn Danielle, Kelly Reese and Karen Duncan.
Here’s a video of some race action:
The event is one of a few twilight run/walks offered; it’s also USATF certified for serious runners. The 5k was completed in 16 minutes this year and the Mouse Miler sprint was pounded out in 5:06 minutes. The CATnip is known for having great participant swag bags, including more than $45 in coupons and gift certificates. Organizers also encourage dogs to participate for the benefit of the homeless kitties.
CAT staffers help out – Pamela and Liz offer participants one of our awesome swag bags.
The CATnip is put on by CAT staff and a small volunteer committee including: Kathy Covey the race director, Jeff Huber the course director and Heather Christensen the donations coordinator.
Closing ceremonies included raffle prizes and awards for fastest finishers – all done in front of the big cat (in orange – Kathy Covey, Race Director; in blue – Aaron Asmus, CAT Executive Director)
The 5k course heads north paralleling the Tualatin river, over the river, enters Durham City Park, does a loop in the Durham neighborhood, returns to Durham City Park, and finally returns to Tualatin Community Park.
We are is the Pacific Northwest’s largest nonprofit, limited admission/adoption guarantee cat shelter (we are able to take in cats as we find homes for the cats in the shelter). CAT has its own full-service veterinary Hospital on-site.
A leader in the shelter community with its extensive shelter medicine, adoption, and foster care programs, CAT cares for 400 to 600 cats and kittens on a daily basis with the help of a dedicated team of staff and volunteers at CAT’s shelter in Sherwood, foster homes, and various off-site adoption locations throughout the Portland metro area.
As a nonprofit organization, CAT receives no government funding and relies on the generous support of the public and volunteers.
Portland, August 4th. Volunteers from Advantis Credit Union rolled up their sleeves to help paint an elderly woman’s house in North Portland. They were among 250 community volunteers providing critical plumbing, electrical and carpentry repairs, as well as painting of exterior of homes for senior and disabled individuals. This is the sixth year Advantis employees have participated in the REACH Paint & Repair-a-Thon, pictured are: Caitlin Kellogg, Stephanie Woody, Maria Thorpe, Alisha Friedrich, Sheri Cameron-Mendes, and David San Pedro. The Paint & Repair-a-Thon revitalized 20 homes for REACH Community Development.
REACH – Siemens Workday 2012
“REACH is committed to helping Portland’s seniors be able to live safely in their homes,” says Dee Walsh, REACH Executive Director. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with the local business community, who are dedicating a very generous amount of their time, resources, and employees to help our senior citizens stay safe in their homes.”
Support for this year’s Paint & Repair-a-thon event comes from local business and civic partners, including major underwriting provided by: Almar Contracting, Miller Paint, Walsh Construction, Lifetime Windows, Bank of America, Bank of the West, LMC Construction, NW Natural, Advantis Credit Union, Affordable Home Remodeling, Interstate Flooring Company, NW Painting Specialist, Portland Housing Bureau, Milgard Windows, IBEW and the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus, Portland Chapter.
In 1982, REACH began revitalizing neighborhoods in southeast Portland. Today, REACH owns 1,400 units of affordable, safe housing and has changed thousands of lives. We couldn’t do this work without you. Your support and dedication has helped REACH in our efforts to provide quality, affordable housing and opportunities for individuals, families and communities to thrive.
Portland, August 6th. The Friends of Tryon Creek have just received a $150,000 three-year grant from Meyer Memorial Trust to support their efforts towards future sustainability.
The nonprofit is reporting: The funds are part of a $370,000 capacity building project that will improve the organization’s fundraising ability, education program infrastructure and overall marketing program, and will directly support the addition of a Development Director position over that time span.
“This kind of support is the result of years of organizational success through the commitment of a core group of people who have made environmental education and restoration a priority”, says David Cohen, Executive Director for the Friends. “It is nice to be recognized for that and for the huge efforts of so many who brought us to where we are today.” The Trust’s award recognizes the recent efforts by the Friends’ Board, staff and volunteers to develop a clear vision for the future and a forward-thinking strategic plan to achieve those goals. It also affirms that the Friends’ work in public land conservation and environmental education has ever-growing value to the broader community. The Friends’ capacity building effort has also received support from the Community Grants Program of the Oregon Community Foundation and the Gray Family Friends of Tryon Creek Education Fund.
For over 40 years, the Friends of Tryon Creek have been offering a range of educational programs for all ages. Most significant is the School Field Trip Program serving 5,000 students annually with the goal of using this strategically located natural area as an outdoor classroom to connect children directly to nature and instill an ethic of stewardship in each child. In addition, the Friends’ popular Nature Day Camp Program, which provides a safe and nurturing environment for 900 children each summer, is a program where they make meaningful connections with others as well as with the natural world. The Friends also offer adult programs, teacher workshops, a Backyard Habitat Program and Landscaping for Conservation series, additional children’s camps and workshops, and special events with strong educational components throughout the year.
About the Friends of Tryon Creek
The Friends of Tryon Creek are a catalyst for cultivating a lifelong relationship with nature using Tryon Creek State Natural Area, Oregon’s only urban state park, as our classroom. We are known throughout the region for our exceptional environmental education programs and stewardship opportunities.
Tryon Creek State Natural Area is located at 11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd in southwest Portland. The 670-acre park currently welcomes over 385,000 visitors each year and is home to over 200 species of birds, mammals and amphibians. Visitors enjoy miles of hiking trails, a paved bicycle path and equestrian trails.
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