Tonight marked the July edition of Art Spark, a bi-monthly event in Portland held on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Initially born out of the Creative Capacity initiative for the region, Art Spark hosts events that invite individuals to participate in the buzz surrounding Portland’s art scene. On the lively Mississippi Avenue at Amnesia Brewery, artists, administrators, arts appreciators and advocates came to discuss, network and mingle.
Tonisha Toler, Art Spark & Outreach Specialist at RACC
The night kicked off with a short performance by the talented Get a Life Marching Band (as seen on episodes of Portlandia) and a warm introduction by the lovely Tonisha Toler, Outreach Specialist & Art Spark Coordinator at the Regional Arts and Culture Council. Keith Daly, Field Director of the Schools and Arts Together Campaign, discussed the ballot referral and the impact that this specific measure will have on restoring Arts Education & Access to the arts in Portland. Represented at Art Spark was the incredibly innovative work of the Junk to Funk Trashion Collective, showcasing three art pieces including a stunning metal-scrap bronze dress, a soda-pop dress and a whimsical plastic-bag dress.
Destination DIY's Julie Sabatier & Jaymee Cuti
A table filled with an array of scissors and ribbons, paint chip colors and colored cardboard, glue and buttons (and much, much more) was dedicated to engaging with the work of the organization called SCRAP (friends of M.E.C.C.A. in Eugene). This space was hosted by Alyssa Kail, Program Development Manager at SCRAP. At another table, we were able to throw on a pair of gold and pink head-phones and listen to a radio podcast by Destination DYI, an independent, public radio show featuring stories about creativity and hosted by the inspiring creator Julie Sabatier, and producer, Jaymee Cuti.
Rebecca Burrell & Roya Amirsoleymani
The night ended with a fantastic collaboration between former UO ELAN leadership team members, Tomas Alfredo Valladares, Whitebox Coordinator & Roya Amirsoleyani, Membership Manager at PICA; current ELAN leadership team member, Katrina Ketchum; and Rebecca Burrell, a representative from the newly formed Portland Emerging Arts Leaders (PEAL) network & Outreach Specialist at the Right Brain Initiative. Art Spark is an incredibly inspiring initative that resembles much of what ELAN’s Creative Conversations is designed to accomplish – mixing, sharing ideas & inspirations, igniting thought provoking discussions & planting artistic seeds in the community.
Junk to Funk's Metal Scrap Bronze Dress