Artist Spotlight:

"Evie is a multi-media artist who is inspired by the stories and world around her. She is passionate about art and hopes others feel inspired."

"Born from a need to express myself nonverbally, my artistic journey began with computer-generated works in 2007 before I discovered the transformative power of acrylics through ALSO Art Gallery in 2013. Living with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, I find that the physical texture and vibrant energy of paint offer me a freedom that transcends words. My work, which ranges from fluid abstracts to loose, expressive landscapes, serves as a direct reflection of my bold personality and love for striking color. Today, I continue to push my creative boundaries from my home studio in Troutdale., constantly exploring new methods like pour techniques to further expand my artistic horizon."

"River is a 6-year boy with a love and passion for making art. When he sees something that he loves, he is inspired to draw it. Being creative makes him so happy and he loves to share it with others."

"Wolfie is 8-years old and loves Five Nights at Freddy's, creating character art, drawing, and painting. He is autistic and art is his biggest passion in life."

"My name is Connor. I'm 28 years old. I am deaf and autistic. I observe and take in the world through my eyes and enjoy the freedom of mixing colors and painting as way to express myself. I enjoy creating abstract art and I am proud to submit a painting in the art show. I hope you enjoy my painting, 'Heart Space.'"

"I love to paint. I love watching Anime. I love playing Pokémon GO."

"After receiving an associate’s of fine arts at PCC, Daniel received a scholarship to The Museum Art School where he earned a bachelors of fine arts in painting. Comic books with antidotes are a common thread in Daniel’s art. He was originally inspired by Jack Kirby of marvel comics. As an artist Daniel has mastered independent art. He is always prepared carrying a backpack filled with art and interesting stories he’s typed up on his manual typewriter."

"Evan was born with cerebral palsy due to complications at birth, which affected his speech but never his passion for creativity. In his free time, Evan is an avid reader, a dedicated writer, and artist. Evan has a deep appreciation for abstract art."

"Brian was born and raised in Portland. Brian constructs his miniature collages quickly and with purpose, switching fluidly between disparate tools, techniques, and image sources guided by a combinatory logic akin to a mnemonic matching game–landscapes from National Geographic stand in as mental snapshots of family trips to Mt. Hood and the Oregon Coast, bicycles and musical instruments are selected as tokens of his father; he sees his mother in a flowerbed from Better Homes & Gardens and so builds her a paper bouquet.  

Bunched together on the wall, his eccentric hybrid figures coalesce into busy worlds bursting with the maximalist color and clatter of a Where’s Waldo?  street scene.  

Look closely at any of the individual paper fragments that animate his kitchen-sink arrangements, and more often than not you will find a hastily scrawled dedication naming the person in his life for whom each piece was lovingly constructed.  His work is grounded in these tiny gestures of affection."

"Elmeater gradually developed her practice as an artist at progressive art programs in Portland, cultivating the kind of compositional confidence and gestural integrity possessed by master painters and veteran school teachers wielding red pens. 

In moments of creative expression, Elmeater casually inhabits this creative space with grace, diligence, and composure. She is casually and sometimes smugly productive, generating masterpieces and cohesive bodies of work without breaking a sweat. 

Place, family and relationships are common themes informing Elmeater’s body of abstract work. Her dense paintings are composed of layers of scratchy, repetitive marks that seem to reflect the weight of emotional mileposts as she captures the historic landscapes of her past.  Her recent experiments in fiber and collage playfully expand on her paintings and drawings in their jarring layered juxtapositions, surprising humor, and bold use of uncommon materials."

" Beth's practice is prolific and multi-faceted—spanning comics and zines, collage, video, music, textiles, and crafts–-and infused with her playful worldview and cryptic, deadpan sense-of-humor.  She is an avowed fan of silent comedy, particularly the work Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd, and their particular blend of danger and sweetness, of chaos and understatement, are clear influences on her elusive and hilarious sensibility.   

In her “picture books”, fantastically named characters like President Jimmy McWarmblood and Mr. YumYum are plopped into narratives where nothing much happens.  Her songs—industrial dirges each accompanied by the anxiously shrieked refrain “Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god I’m so comfortable and warm!”---exhibit the same interest in enacting bizarre and singular tensions.  

Her minimalist collages, frequently consisting of a simple and oblique visual pun or a singularly bizarre yet deliberate image surrounded by a crayon frame, are often surprisingly interesting for the sense of intentionality behind their utter inexplicability.  This space, where Andy Kaufman meets arts and crafts, is where the bulk of her work lives.  Her quiet pieces often land like jokes without punchlines, leaving her audience feeling awkward and charmed, wondering where they stand in relation to her inscrutable bits."

"Jorja is an autistic girl. She is nonspeaking and lives in a group home. She enjoys pursuing the arts and adventuring in Portland."

"I've always loved art. It was one of my focuses while in recovery from my TBI. My mom had a creative kids company, so it was always a big part of my childhood and life."

My name is Carrie M. Throughout my life I’ve lived with Epilepsy, which has put many strains on my life presenting itself in different ways. Despite the many challenges I have faced through my disability, it did not put strain on my artistic ability. Most recently I underwent brain surgery, in addition to other surgeries prior to this to help me with my Epilepsy. I am now mostly free from having seizures. I have done many different types of art that I taught myself how to do. Some of the art that I’ve made, I sold at Saturday Market for several years. After that I continued learning, and teaching myself new styles of art, progressing more and more with ongoing inspiration. It brings me great joy to share my love for art with the world, and to inspire others as I do this. My message to you is that no matter what challenges you have faced, having disabilities or not, anything is possible.

"My name is Annette. I am very friendly, and I have good friends!"

"I like art!"

"Hi, my name is Dylan and I am a kind and hardworking person who enjoys helping others and bringing positivity to the people around me. I experience the world in a way that feels deeply connected to energy, emotion, and creativity, and art has become one of the best ways for me to express those feelings. One thing that is especially meaningful to me is my ability to see the aura in people. I believe every person carries their own unique light, and that inspires the way I create and connect with the world around me.

I enjoy staying active and taking care of my physical health, and in my free time I love gaming and making art. Some of my favorite moments are creating alongside my favorite staff member who became my friend who encourages and inspires me every day. His support has helped me believe in myself, step outside my comfort zone, and accomplish things I once thought were impossible.

My biggest artistic inspiration comes from my mom, who is an incredibly talented artist. Watching her creativity and passion throughout my life showed me how powerful art can be as a form of expression and connection. She continues to inspire me to create from the heart and share my own perspective with others.

Through my artwork, I hope people can see the beauty, emotion, and energy that I see in everyday life. My goal is to create art that feels genuine, uplifting, and full of heart, while sharing a different way of seeing the world."

"Magnifique, beautiful, excellent."

"I am passionate about art and take inspiration from nature. I want my art to connect with others. I have been an artist all my life. I enjoy drawing and painting best."

"Longtime artist, second time putting it on display. I love using colored pencils while listening to music."

"I’ve been making artwork since I was a kid. In the fifth grade, I was given an award for my artwork, and I’ve been creating artwork ever since. I enjoy using paint and mixed media to create my artwork. My goal is to continue growing as an artist and developing new techniques in my creative process."

"I'm Cherish. I'm nice. I'm nice to my friends."

" I make art because it's enjoyable. Making art is calming. I like to make art for people. I send my art to police departments, fire departments, and children's charities across the country."

"I am a creative and skilled knitter, passionate about crafting high-quality pieces such as hats, blankets, shawls, and scarves of different sizes and colors. I am always willing to help others who are in need or help and share my knowledge."

"Greetings, my name is Kathy. I like doing art because it is calming. I was born in Eugene. I live in Portland. My favorite hobbys are art and writing. I like music and reading books."

"I have lived in Arizona and California and like to draw things and places I have been to. I like coloring and painting and Disney."

"I'm Nishia. I like music and doing art."

" I do art for mental therapy because it helps me out and keeps me busy. I love diamond art and fashion design."

"I was born in Chicago and moved to Portland 30 years ago. I love to draw and am getting back from a long a injury ."

"I'm Rebecca a self taught loom knitter from Troutdale who makes cozy, comfort and play each piece is handmade with care for everyday wear. I create small batch loom knit hat that mix bright and soft texture made for comfort and fun."

"J. is a Portland-based photographer specializing in nature and landscape photography, with a talent for light painting and visual poetry. Their penetrating eye for detail and keen understanding of animal behavior enables them to capture intimate moments with the wild beings and forces with whom we share this planet, from tiny creatures watching us that are too small to see with the naked eye to those observing us while hidden in plain sight. Each photo invites viewers into a world hidden within our own and a deeper appreciation of our interconnectedness with all living beings, including our planet.

J. began teaching themselves photography in 2020 as a way of practicing mindfulness. They have found it to also have demonstrably therapeutic effects for them and have been honing their craft while connecting with nature ever since.

Their work has appeared on The Oregonian website and can be found in small businesses in Portland, OR and Spokane, WA. For inquiries, please email: grotesquewren@proton.me."

"Sam has served as a Co-Director for the Multnomah County I/DD Art Show Committee for several years. Over this time, she has amassed an impressive collection of the event's artwork, which she proudly displays at home and in the office, and gifts to friends and family. Sam studied Psychology and Fine Arts, and she is passionate about integrating this background into her work for the Multnomah County I/DD Program.

Sam loves any opportunity for creative expression and learning new skills. She enjoys painting and drawing and has honed her knitting and crochet skills over the last six years. She couldn't be more proud of the participating artists and performers this year."