Art as a Vehicle for Change

Portland, Oregon

2008

Art as a Vehicle for Change

This PowerPoint presentation will serve as a brief introduction to the fine arts in Portland, Oregon

The theme, ‘Art as a Vehicle for Change’ is extended through various raw materials such as photos, maps and newspaper articles

“Allow Me”

Sculptural public art is abundant in Portland

This example titled “Allow Me” by J. Seward Johnson is ready for the Portland rain

Find this sculpture in Pioneer Square

“ANGLE of REPOSE: a pavilion”

This sculpture is a functional covered seating area

Jon Gierlich “combined traditional porch designs based on historic Victorian architecture in the area with an urban plaza where people are encouraged to meet and interact.”

“Da Tung & Xi’an Bao Bao”

“Mr. Huo Baozhu, owner of Five Rings Bronze Foundry in Xi’an, China offered the City of Portland a large bronze elephant as a gesture of good will and as evidence of his belief in the importance of cultural exchanges”

This piece is a Shang Dynasty replica

“Little Prince”

Antoine De Saint-Exupery’s book of the same title inspired artist Ilan Averbuch to create this fallen copper crown

“It is about imagination, desires and aspirations, conquests and struggles”

Portland’s Art Galleries

Art galleries are nearly as abundant as displays of Public Art in Portland

Portland’s galleries welcome everyone ranging from pedestrians on an evening stroll to art connoisseurs with a mission to purchase

Think about it: How does Portland’s art community exhibit diversity? Who does it exclude?

First Thursday & Last Thursday

Twice each month—on the first and last Thursdays—galleries have extended business hours hosting art, wine and music free of charge for the public

Pearl District Art Gallery Map

As indicated on the map, the center of Portland is overflowing with art galleries

Portland’s art community has recently become part of the city’s allure for cultural tourists

Alberta Street Art Walk

Complimentary to the First Thursday events held in the Pearl District, Alberta Street holds Last Thursday

Art has brought tremendous transformation into this community

View the accompanying video for interviews with artists on Alberta Sreet

Time-Based Arts (TBA) Festival

This annual showcase “presents moments of movement and imagery under bridges, over rivers, on stages and throughout the city”

“The TBA Festival examines and celebrates every form of contemporary art and is the only festival of its kind in North America”

White Bird Dance Project

White Bird brings international dance companies to Portland and is dedicated to “fostering the growth of dance in the region”

Argentina’s Estampas Porteñas comes to Portland

Oregon Ballet Theatre

OBT is Oregon’s esteemed ballet company Growing rapidly, the Portland-based

company is gaining worldwide recognition Although ballet has been traditionally viewed

as an art form intended for the upper classes, today’s performances are accessible to nearly everyone

Think about it: How do dance companies, non-profit organizations, ensure this?

Oregon Ballet Theatre

OBT’s distinctive dancers

Oregon Ballet Theatre’s principle ballerina Gavin Larsen

The signature descriptions illustrate OBT highlighting her unique personality as an asset to the company and resident of Portland

OBT’s Distinctive Dancers

Alexey is one of Oregon Ballet Theatre’s many dancers from around the world

Arts Education in Portland

Arts education has been a controversial topic throughout the nation

Portland’s city commissioner, Sam Adams, is using this topic as leverage in his campaign for mayor

See article: Sam Adams will use arts as a major theme in the Portland mayor's race

Think about it: Why is arts education important?

Arts Education in Portland

ARTSplash is a source for arts-based curriculum that has been created by teachers, for teachers. Teachers are invited to review the curricular units in this database and use the materials that suits their needs.

Arts Education in Portland

ARTSplash has two primary goals: 1. To help make the arts core curriculum by training

generalist teachers how to integrate arts based teaching methods into all of their classes.

2. To make the arts based curriculum created by ARTSplash participants readily available to all teachers.

ARTSplash Video

Arts Education in Portland

Mission Statement: Pacific Artists Dance Center is dedicated to providing the finest professional quality ballet instruction in an environment that is challenging, disciplined, rigorous, while at the same time safe, healthy, and nurturing.

Arts Education in Portland

Pacific Artists Dance Center’s students have the opportunity to perform with their youth company in preparation for a professional career as a dancer

Other Reading

City looks at how to take arts scene to next level

A Dreamy 'Night‘ The hidden riches of art One giant leap for TBA, and other

daring steps