The year-end spring 2011 reviews for Portland’s Department of Architecture were held at the YU, a space slated to become Portland’s next contemporary art center. Located at 800 SE 10th Avenue in a grand exposed brick Italian Renaissance revival built in 1908, the YU graciously hosted all of Portland’s 2011 School of Architecture and Allied Arts graduates in Architecture and Product Design providing space for their reviews and subsequent temporary exhibition of work.
The YU was also the event site for this year’s 2011 Commencement Celebration on June 4 held in recognition of graduates in Product Design, Digital Arts, and Architecture. YU’s Director Sandra Percival, herself an UO alumna, commented: “I was pleased to have the UO Architecture and Allied Arts’ studio projects, professional open house, and graduation ceremony at YU. As YU embarks on its vision to bring challenging national and international contemporary art to Portland to empower the artistic imagination and cultural life of the Northwest and repurpose its historical landmark building, hosting UO was synergistic with our vision and the spirit the great space on the second floor beckons.”
Awash with natural light that flooded in from the arching windows and halo-like clerestory bathing the hall with mid-afternoon glow, the students’ work remained on display up through the final hour of commencement (held downstairs in the YU). Early in the morning of June 2, students had begun arriving for set-up and preparation filling the second story nave-like 50′ by 188′ space with a bustle of activity as intricately crafted models and pin-ups went on display. What follows is only a small peek into a mere fraction of all the hard work, detailed effort, dedication, quiet reflection, and camardarie that goes into this process….Reviews 2011…
So long, architecture grads 2011 Portland Program, it’s been good to know you…..
photos | post sabina samiee
