Making it the 'People's Hall', 200 Artists Shown at City Hall '1st Thursday' Celebrations

By Pollyanne Birge

As commissioner of Arts and Culture, Sam initiated the City Hall 1st Thursdays to celebrate Portland's diversity and the amazing talent we have in Portland and encourge more participation in the art scene and local government.

These free, fun and relaxed events encourage community members to visit, City Hall not only to enjoy the art but to learn more about their City government.

2006 1st Thursday Art Shows:

January---El Hispanic News 25th Anniversary

January's event celebrated the 25th Anniversary of El Hispanic News publishing in Portland. Over 300 people attended this lively event and enjoyed works by some of Portland's premier Latino artists.

February-Labor Unions

February highlighted both historical, Union-made city projects as well as contemporary works by union members. Artists from diverse fields and nearly 250 community members joined in celebrating the amazing work of Portland's Labor community. This lively event featured artwork produced by Union members from AFSCME Local 189, Laborers Local 48, IBEW Local 48.

March-African American Community

March's event initiates the first annual City Hall 1st Thursday celebrating the African American Community. Working closely with the United Way Art of Change Gallery, this event featured a generational sampling of works from artists aged 11 to 72!

April-Vision PDX

April saw City Hall alight with artists from Mayor Potter's Vision PDX community project. Over 200 people enjoyed the artistic offerings from the Visioning PDX collaborative community groups.

May-International Community

Artists from across the world converged onto Portland City Hall showing works from silk paintings to steel sculpture. Working in collaboration with IRCO (Immigrant Refugee Community Organization) this event brought over 150 international community members to City Hall.

June-Queer Community

City Hall was proud to celebrate Gay Pride month by featuring works by some of Portland's finest queer artists. More than 200 people came to view the diverse works and celebrate Gay Pride month at city hall. Click for Just Out coverage.

July-Bicycling Community

Portland is known for being THE bicycling city of the U.S., and this event proved it! The July show was a combination of bike inspired art, art produced from recycled bike parts, and frames from some of the world's most renowed custom bike frame builders! Over 500 bike advocates entered City Hall to see all the unique art.

August-Sustainable Fashion Show

August was one of our most attended 1st Thursdays yet! Part fashion show part picnic--over 500 people attended this unique event with a "sustainable" fashion runway poised at the doors of City Hall. Fun and enlivened--this event focused on Portland's premier fashion designers showing their environmentally sustainable designs. Click here for coverage from OPB, the Portland Tribune and Willamette Week.

September-Blues Fest II

September marked the second year City Hall has brought past images and live music from the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival. Sam's office worked with PNCA, Pro Photo Supply, and the Blues fest to bring you an entertaining wrap-up of this premier summer music event.

October-Native American Community

October's event was a unique offering of art and performance from Oregon's Native American Community. Working closely with NAYA (Native American Youth and Family Association) and the Native People's Circle of Hope, this event focused on multiple generations of Native artists working in Portland.

November-MAC "Picturing Here" Youth Art Project

This event focused on the amazing work by our community's youngest artists. Working with the Multnomah Arts Center, we were able to display their "Picturing Here" youth art project which involved dozens of young people.

December-Winter DIY Craft/Bike Fair

This event wrapped up our year of City Hall 1st Thursdays and was a rousing sampling of DIY crafters in Portland. Everything from handbags, glass art, and bicycle postcards were featured at this 'hand crafted' event.