Portland, September 5th, 2015. Art In The Pearl organizers thank the scores of volunteers who believe in the importance of the arts in Portland. The focus of the Labor Day Weekend event is on building a bridge between artist and community. Demonstrations are on-going during the Festival including Blacksmithing and Metals.
The festival takes place in the Northwest Park blocks of Portland between W Davis and NW Flanders at NW 8th Avenue.
Hours are 10am-6pm Saturday and Sunday (September 5th & 6th, 2015)
10am-5pm on Monday (September 7th, 2015)
In 1997 the first Art In The Pearl Fine Arts & Crafts Festival was celebrated in the North Park Blocks of Portland’s Pearl District. The show, organized by fifteen artists who volunteered their time, was created to showcase high-quality, handmade works in a non-intimidating environment.
Arts Education is a passion at Art In The Pearl. Join in the Hands On Art Pavilion for a wide variety of interactive events designed for art lovers of all ages. Get your Hands On Art!
If you go this year, you’ll see:
Over one hundred selected artists showing and selling their work
The Singer/Songwriter Stage presents a variety of original music
An Education Pavillion featuring hands-on art activities for children and adults
Now, as we approach our 20th year, the success of the show is due in large part to the expertise of those founding members. Together they drew upon their experiences in the Oregon Potters Association, Waterstone Gallery and CMAG and their rich history helping to build arts organizations such as Northwest Print Council and shows such as Art and the Vineyard, Local 14, Ceramic Showcase and various other arts events.
In many ways, Art In The Pearl was a response to the demise of ArtQuake, a longtime favorite outdoor arts festival. After 19 years, ArtQuake folded in 1995. The organizers of Art In The Pearl were determined to avoid what they considered the downfall of ArtQuake, namely a heavy reliance on corporate sponsorship money.
In order to keep expenses down, Art In The Pearl was established as a non-profit organization run entirely by a volunteer board of directors. Sponsorship amounts were kept relatively small and were spread over a larger number of donors. The focus would be on promoting the arts and artists and bringing the work directly to the public. There would be no admission fee, quality control standards would be stringent, and only original work would be permitted. Art In The Pearl would be an artist-friendly show organized by artists for artists.
In addition, the board members established the show in the North Park Blocks of the Pearl District rather than a city street. In 1997, the Pearl District was emerging as a hub of artistic activity. Small hardware and car repair shops were slowly giving way to artist studios and galleries. Waterstone Gallery had opened adjacent to the North Park Blocks on 8th and Everett in 1992, and the gallery’s artists recognized the park’s potential for an art event.
When the first Art In The Pearl opened on August 30th, 1997, the show’s mission was “to build an interactive environment between the artists and the community.” In addition to artists’ booths, the show focused on art education, art demonstrations and performance art. An education booth was funded with support from Portland Art Museum, Art Media, Daniel Smith Art Supplies and the Oregon Potter’s Association. Local guilds were invited to give demonstrations, and The Portland Theater Alliance organized an entertainment stage.
The show has undergone many changes since 1997. The art education and demonstration areas have become more prominent, the entertainment stage is now dedicated to the region’s top world music performers, and the quality of art improves with each passing year.
However, Art In The Pearl remains a grass-roots movement. It is still run by scores of volunteers who believe in the importance of the arts in Portland. The show continues to be supported by donors who value the arts more than personal recognition, and the focus is still on building a bridge between artist and community.
Portland, September 3rd, 2015. Tom McCall Waterfront Park was filled with the sound of music for the Oregon Symphony’s annual concert. Closing festivities included the traditional grand finale—Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture with an elaborate fireworks show, complete with military cannons from the Oregon Army National Guard 218th Field Artillery. A host of warm-up performances preceded the concert. Waterfront Concert Leads a Spectacular List of September Concerts as Oregon Symphony Opens the 2015/16 Season The concert signals the opening of the music season in Portland and the 2015/16 Symphony season.
Hillsboro School District Mariachi Una Voz entertained the crowd.
Carlos Kalmar poses by the All Classical Cruiser at the family friendly event.
Mayor Charlie Hales, OSO President Scott Showalter, and Commissioner Amanda Fritz.
Fans said, “What a fantastic concert, a tour de force, a triumph!”
There were food options for everyone, Salt and Straw was a favorite.
From the Oregon Symphony: Since the was established more than 100 years ago, it has been recognized for its internationally acclaimed music directors, skilled performers, diverse programs and outstanding community services in education and regional touring. The Oregon Symphony now ranks among the largest orchestras in the nation and as one of the largest arts organizations in the Northwest, with an attendance of more than 225,000 people annually and 76 full-time musicians.
Hermiston, September 4th, 2015. Farmers Ending Hunger Founder Fred Ziari & Executive Director John Burt took Portland’s First Lady, Nancy Hales, on a tour of River Point Farms in Hermiston so she could see first hand what farmers are doing across our state to help end hunger. The mission of Farmers Ending Hunger is to eliminate hunger in Oregon by increasing the amount of high quality food available to hungry local communities through a partnership of farmers, food processors, Oregon Food Bank and the public.
Craig Reeder & Sean Curren of River Point Farms led the tour of the farm and explain onion production.
In 2004, Farmers Ending Hunger founder Fred Ziari attended a meeting to address the state’s hunger problem. He was surprised to see Oregon listed as the hungriest state in America, with 25% of the population eating less than one meal a day.
First Lady of Portland Nancy Hales, FEH Exec. Dir. John Burt, Murmur Creative’s Mary Nichols and FEH Founder Fred Ziari.
After the meeting, Ziari discussed this problem with his colleagues and farmers in eastern Oregon. In the months that followed, he met with numerous farmers in the region–one of the most productive in the nation–to enlist their help in feeding the hungry. “No one had ever asked them, the farmers, to help solve hunger problems in the state. They said of course they would,” says Ziari.
Several years before, Jim Youde founded Extended Harvest, a non-profit organized around a similar concept for distributing food donations from the agricultural industry through food banks. Extended Harvest included an Adopt-an-Acre program. When Ziari and Youde compared notes and decided to combine efforts, they changed the name to Farmers Ending Hunger and kept the original Adopt-an-Acre program.
River Point Farms is not only America’s largest grower, packer, shipper & processor of onions, but also one of the top contributors to the nonprofit.
From Farmers Ending Hunger:
Our fight against hunger begins with the farmers and ranchers who donate a portion of their harvest. Services donated by food processors and cash donations from individuals round out the mission. The additional costs of product sorting, processing, packaging materials, storage and trucking to get that food to the hungry are covered by your donations.
Donations are tax deductible and turn the generous donations of farmers, ranchers, growers and other Farmers Ending Hunger partners into high-quality, ready-to use food products that will help reduce hunger in Oregon.
Feeds 1000 families of four fresh vegetables for one day
One Acre
$250
Feeds one serving of pancakes to 2,300 families of four
One-Half Acre
$100
Feeds one family of four the daily recommended allowance of vegetables for 250 days
One-Quarter Acre
$50
Feeds one serving of corn, peas or green beans to 625 families of four
One Row
$25
Feeds 190 families of four whole grains for one day
Farmers Ending Hunger is proud to partner with and support Oregon Food Bank. Our relationship with them allows us to extend our support to a larger network of hunger-relief agencies. The products distributed by Oregon Food Bank can be obtained at any food box pantry it supplies throughout the Oregon hunger-relief network. In 2011 Farmers Ending Hunger was among the top six food donors
Portland, July 29th, 2015. The Portland Art Museum’s Patron Society members celebrated summer and the current Gods and Heroes exhibition under clear, warm skies. The courtyard of the museum was filled with good cheer and the sounds of Portland band, Boy and Bean. Members of the Patron Society, like David Lokting and Alysia Duckler, are the Museum’s most generous annual donors. Their donations help more than 300,000 visitors expand their minds through the power of art.
Portland Art Museum Patron Society Member, Jim Mark
Luke Short of Boy and Bean
John Goodwin and Keith Martin
Portland Art Museum Executive Director, Brian Ferriso.
Did you know….
The oldest art museum in the Pacific Northwest, the Portland Art Museum was founded in late 1892 when seven leaders from Portland’s business and cultural institutions created the Portland Art Association. The goal of the Association was to create a first-class art museum that would be accessible to all citizens.
The Museum purchased its first collection, approximately one hundred plaster casts of Greek and Roman sculptures, with a gift of $10,000 from prominent local citizen Henry Corbett. Two other local citizens, Winslow B. Ayer and his wife, selected the casts during a trip to Europe after receiving advice from professionals at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
The mission of the Portland Art Museum is to engage diverse communities through art and film of enduring quality, and to collect, preserve, and educate for the enrichment of present and future generations.
The Portland Art Museum believes that the experience of original works of art enriches and changes people’s lives. Art inspires new ways of understanding the present and our place in the world. By providing a welcoming environment for the public to look, talk, and reflect on works of visual and media art, the Museum deepens our collective understanding of humanity, builds community, and contributes to a thriving civic life. The following core values guide the Portland Art Museum:
Creativity
The arts are at the core of our humanity, representing a timeless human impulse.
Connection
The arts touch us and connect us across time, geography, and cultural differences, shedding light on how humans interact with their world.
Learning
The arts open us to diverse ideas and ways of knowing ourselves, our community, and our world.
Accessibility
The arts must be economically, intellectually, and physically accessible to everyone.
Accountability
Transparency and careful stewardship of resources—including collections, staff, facilities, and investments – are essential for mission fulfillment now and in the future.
The Portland Art Museum is the leading cultural institution in the state and region. Its hallmarks are innovation, excellence, and engaged community partnerships. The Museum presents a relevant and dynamic program originating from its collections and Film Center. With historically preserved and newly designed architectural space of the highest quality, the Museum invites, inspires, and fosters contemplation and discussion. As a beacon for culture and education for our growing and evolving community, the Museum is known for its exceptional trustees, staff, programs, collections, and visitor amenities.
Portland, August 11th, 2015. SEMpdx‘s seventh annual Rooftop Networking Party drew over 550 professionals. Members of the local nonprofit search engine marketing group kicked up their heels, including Founder and former CEO of Moz, Rand Fishkin, SEMpdx advisory board member, Anne Kennedy, and Geraldine DeRuiter.
Members gathered on the rooftop of the Embassy Suites downtown to enjoy the city view, music, food and giveaways (including a chance to win free tickets to SearchFest 2016).
Ten percent of the proceeds from the sellout event will benefit SEMpdx’s new charity of choice, the Brody Borlaug Foundation, which aims to help establish a world-class Pediatric Immunology Program at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. Moreover, SEMpdx will provide in-kind digital marketing expertise, such as advice on social media campaigns and SEO strategy, along with ten percent of its proceeds made throughout the year, to the Brody Borlaug Foundation.
Jeff and Tracy Borlaug, founders of the Brody Borlaug Foundation, pose with Alan George, SEMpdx President, and Cassidy Quinn, entertainment reporter at KGW.
SEMpdx President, Alan George, and Events Chair, Robert Frost, announce the winner of one of the many drawings guests were able to enter at the Rooftop Networking Party including a chance to win free tickets to SearchFest 2016. (photo credit, Nina Johnson)
John Alden, Lindsey Stier, Hannah Vincent and Eric Scriven from sponsor Logical Position hang out during the SEMpdx rooftop party.
John McPhee and Kevin Bekker from event sponsor, Oregonian Media Group, enjoyed some great brews provided by the Growler Guys during the SEMpdx Rooftop Party.
The event was sponsored by Moz, The Oregonian, the Growler Guys and Logical Position.
From SEMpdx:
SEMpdx was founded in 2006, because we felt that there was a lot of veteran talent here in PDX, but we weren’t really recognized for it because we were all so busy working that we weren’t self-promoting.
We also knew that the business community in Portland was coming around to SEM, but didn’t really know about the level of talent here in PDX. This led to our rather simple mission “put search on the map in Portland, and Portland on the map in search”. In other words – to get PDX recognized in the national SEM community, and raise awareness for search marketing in PDX.
We’re glad you’re here and we welcome you to become a member. If you’d like to learn more about becoming a member, check out our benefits and sign up information for Portland Oregon’s premier Search Engine Marketing Organization.”
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