Local artists turn plywood from downtown storefronts into works of art

(NOVEMBER 28, 2020) Many people celebrate different holidays in December. These holidays often involve gift-giving. Downtown Portland is usually a popular place to shop for holiday gifts.

2020, however, is different. Many storefronts had been covered in plywood because of the many protests, demonstrations, and riots over the past several months. Stores worry that people will think they are still closed even when they are now open for business.

"Shop Small PDX" is a network of local stores. The stores work together to promote more business. They have planned a special event to bring more holiday shoppers to downtown Portland.

Local artist Mike Bennett has teamed with young, local BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) artists to repurpose plywood that had been installed over the windows of downtown businesses. Their goal is to transform it into a menagerie of colorful art winter-themed art pieces.

Each day between December 1 and December 26, the stores will share a clue about the window location of a new Winterland art piece. Residents and visitors to Portland are encouraged to safely explore the central city, searching for Winterland art and supporting small businesses along the way! Later in the day, the answer to the clue will be posted along with more information about the artist and the business.

On December 25, there will be a collaborative Winterland piece featuring all of the artists. On December 26 the final Winterland art piece, created by Mike, will be displayed. All 26 pieces will remain on display throughout December. Then, starting on January 4, the art pieces will be auctioned off with the proceeds split between these nonprofits: Morpheus Youth Project, Brown Hope, Ally PDX/APANO, and Native Arts & Cultures Foundation.

To read the clues about where each work of art is, visit https://shopsmallpdx.com/winterland every day starting December 1.