A digital line drawing of the mississippi neighborhood including signage from the local stores

Art and Community Projects in PDX

Poprox Community Projects

Welcome to my 2024 portfolio of community projects in Portland, OR, where arts and culture thrive through collaboration and creativity. At the heart of my work is a commitment to engaging the public and fostering connections between local artists, small businesses, and various organizations.

Connecting People

I get involved with the public in Portland through my volunteer efforts with p:ear, grassroots art-based projects, and exploring what being a neighbor means in Old Town Chinatown. With funding through a grant from the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) I was able to purchase shared equipment and sponsor/host community-based endeavors,

My projects not only celebrate the vibrant arts scene in Portland but also strengthen the bonds within our community, creating a lasting legacy of interconnectedness and cultural enrichment.

RACC Arts 3C Grant 2024

  • A cart loaded with supplies and equipment parked on a sidewalk with green outdoor carpeting, adjacent to planters with bushes, under trees in an urban area with tall buildings and traffic lights in the distance.

    Shared Equipment

    The grant funding I received facilitated the acquisition of shared equipment that significantly enhanced my artistic contributions in various projects. This equipment played a pivotal role in the installation of diverse art installations for multiple artists, showcasing their unique visions and creativity.

    See the slideshow below for a recap.
  • The glass door of Erickson Gallery displaying the name and contact information. Inside the gallery, a person is seen walking past transferred artworks and posters on the wall. Outside, parked cars are reflected in the glass.

    Erickson Gallery - Young Artists

    My shared equipment has been instrumental in fostering creativity and community engagement. Recently, I collaborated with a youth artist in juvenile detention to create various works of art, which were proudly showcased at the Erickson Gallery. This initiative not only provided a creative outlet for the youth but also highlighted their unique perspectives and talents.

  • A memorial display with a pencil sketch of a woman, surrounded by pink roses, yellow daisies, white daisies, red roses, and purple flowers, set on a wooden table with a graffiti background.

    Sol Sun

    Additionally, I used the equipment from the RACC grant to support a youth from p:ear in hosting a sun catcher workshop. This workshop was a heartfelt tribute, centered around memorializing those we have lost in our community. It was a beautiful way to bring people together and honor their memories through art

  • A black food truck under a bridge with a large red sign spelling 'COFFEE' on top. There is a white sign on the side advertising 'COFFEE & BREAKFAST' with a pointing hand graphic and a smaller logo below. Yellow chairs are in front of the truck.

    Cafe United

    Cafe United, a small business in Old Town Chinatown owned by BIPOC partners, asked if I could help enhance their space with a vibrant coffee cart mural and update their hand-painted sign. This project reflects the rich cultural tapestry of the area and underscores Cafe United's commitment to celebrating diversity and creativity. The cafe not only serves delicious coffee but also hosts local artists and provides a stage for musical performances, making it a hub for artistic expression and community connection. It was a pleasure to contribute to their mission of fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment.

  • Colorful mural of a cat dressed like a rider, combined with a unicorn, in front of a cityscape sign that reads "Old Town Chinatown." The cat is holding a can of beer, wearing a jacket, and has a red scarf, with a background of clouds.

    Painting - A Shared Story Series

    Painting - Unicone inspired by the Pabst Blue Ribbon festival that takes place on the river front each year. This was bought by True West to become a part of the popup bar each year.

    Additionally I made various paintings and art cards to be given out to the public during chance encounters. You can see some of those pieces below.

  • Glass door with a bright yellow logo featuring a dog and the text 'Currently in Residence:' written in yellow. The reflection of a person wearing a bike helmet, jacket, and pants, holding a camera, is visible on the glass, along with a bicycle behind them.

    I AM - ILY2TOO

    

Brandt Maina | RIOA wa ROE (they/he/Her/Our) is a Portland-based queer artist, writer, director and performer from Nairobi, Kenya who documents and abstracts his autobiography into pastel drawings, surreal poetry, absurdist plays, particular photography, genre-fluid music, and soulful performances which shape sacred spaces that reify to audiences this sense of the Present Future as it passes. You can learn more about them here.

    At the Lloyd Center Mall in the ILY2TOO gallery @ily2.too Suite G113 (1st Floor, East Side) Brandt Maina | RIOA wa ROE hosted a multi-part play reading with an opening and closing ceremony. I was able to use my equipment to help with the installation of their work as well as refreshments and snacks. I was also able to film the performance for the artist’s archive.

  • People gathered at an indoor poetry event, with a woman reciting poetry to an audience. The text overlay reads: 'Made it to hear @brandmaina recite poetry at @pdxcontemporaryart.'

    Moon Bloom

    As part of my commitment to supporting the arts and fostering community engagement, I provided funding for food at the opening reception and poetry reading hosted at PDX Contemporary Art. This event “Moon Bloom”, featuring Brandt Maina and the Creative Futures Collective Portland 2024 cohort, at the Shaking the Tree Theatre featured an art installation, staged play reading, solo performances, and unique group activities, highlighting the vibrant and diverse creative talents within our community.

    My contribution ensured that attendees enjoyed a warm, welcoming atmosphere with refreshments, enhancing the overall experience and encouraging meaningful connections among artists and the community.

  • Colorful cartoon drawing of two monsters, one blue and one orange, with large eyes and open mouths, connected to a large electronic device with various cables. The device has labels including 'Wired Wednesday Pear' and 'Output Undefined' and an input port. The background features binary code and a pink heart.

    p:ear Wired Wednesday

    Furthermore, the RACC grant helped me fund materials to extend my volunteer efforts at p:ear. I’m working with other volunteers to expand our “Wired Wednesday” program, which mentors the youth in design and technology.

    We will produce an arts & culture magazine and a website. The grant allows me to deliver early proof of concepts and pay for help preparing for future grants.

Additional Creations

Thanks to the RACC grant I was able to purchase equipment and materials that allowed me and others to create so many wonderful creations.

Colorful mural depicting flowers, fruits, butterflies, bees, and various figures, including a woman with flowers in her hair, a person in a red dress, and a person with blonde hair and makeup. The mural features words like 'CARE.NO', 'LUNCH', 'SEQUEN

Colorful mural depicting flowers, fruits, butterflies, bees, and various figures, including a woman with flowers in her hair, a person in a red dress, and a person with blonde hair and makeup. The mural features words like 'CARE.NO', 'LUNCH', 'SEQUENCE', and 'INTEGRATE.' The background includes trees and small human figures.

Colorful mural on a wall inside a room, featuring diverse portraits, vibrant flowers, fruits, and cultural symbols with the phrases "CARE.NO" and "CHOCES".

Colorful mural on a wall inside a room, featuring diverse portraits, vibrant flowers, fruits, and cultural symbols with the phrases "CARE.NO" and "CHOCES".

A small black coffee stand with a red and white 'COFFEE' sign at the top, an open window, and some yellow and black drawings on the front panel, situated under a concrete overpass.

A small black coffee stand with a red and white 'COFFEE' sign at the top, an open window, and some yellow and black drawings on the front panel, situated under a concrete overpass.

A chalk drawing on a blackboard with yellow chalk, featuring a cartoon girl with long hair holding an umbrella, a fish, a smiley face, and various doodles including stars, hearts, a ladder, and text that reads 'Sir Rudenick,' 'Just in Time,' and 'RIP

A chalk drawing on a blackboard with yellow chalk, featuring a cartoon girl with long hair holding an umbrella, a fish, a smiley face, and various doodles including stars, hearts, a ladder, and text that reads 'Sir Rudenick,' 'Just in Time,' and 'RIP Seng'.

A chalk drawing on a blackboard featuring various elements of Santa Cruz, California, including the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a lighthouse, rocket, spider, donut, a scared cat, a smiling cat, a character with four eyes, and a flower. Text includes

A chalk drawing on a blackboard featuring various elements of Santa Cruz, California, including the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a lighthouse, rocket, spider, donut, a scared cat, a smiling cat, a character with four eyes, and a flower. Text includes names like 'Oyster Bar,' 'Santa Cruz,' 'Surf,' and 'Standing Live'.

Stamp created using local manufacturer "Stamp Connection".

Stamp created using local manufacturer "Stamp Connection".

One notable project involved collaborating with a local ceramic artist to construct a special display for their annual music video. This display served as an essential platform for them to present their collection, merging the worlds of ceramic art a

One notable project involved collaborating with a local ceramic artist to construct a special display for their annual music video. This display served as an essential platform for them to present their collection, merging the worlds of ceramic art and music seamlessly.

Moreover, the use of this equipment enriched my role as an art coordinator for a TV show production filming in Cabo San Lucas. During this project, I created gifts for the local community, drawing inspiration from the Indigenous stories they shared t

Moreover, the use of this equipment enriched my role as an art coordinator for a TV show production filming in Cabo San Lucas. During this project, I created gifts for the local community, drawing inspiration from the Indigenous stories they shared that celebrated our heritage. This collaboration culminated in creating the Tlacuache painting, which embodied these narratives.

This was a thank you gift for the grip department. We wanted to show our appreciation for their hard work and dedication. Their support was invaluable in making our project a success.

This was a thank you gift for the grip department. We wanted to show our appreciation for their hard work and dedication. Their support was invaluable in making our project a success.

Overall, the grant funding has not only expanded my artistic practice but has also strengthened connections within the local artistry community.

Overall, the grant funding has not only expanded my artistic practice but has also strengthened connections within the local artistry community.

This is another crew gift for the local hotel staff that helped us during the show

This is another crew gift for the local hotel staff that helped us during the show

I created various art cards of little fawns doing all the types of things I find joy in. I handed them out to people I met who had shared interests.

I created various art cards of little fawns doing all the types of things I find joy in. I handed them out to people I met who had shared interests.

Additionally, the grant allowed me to participate in the Project Pabst set design, where I created a beer tent designed to evoke the ambiance of a classic dive bar. This experience broadened my skills in environmental design and deepened my understa

Additionally, the grant allowed me to participate in the Project Pabst set design, where I created a beer tent designed to evoke the ambiance of a classic dive bar. This experience broadened my skills in environmental design and deepened my understanding of how to create immersive experiences.

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