Injustice and systemic racism is a deadly toxin to community, especially in places like Portland. It is everyone's moral obligation to uphold that truth and treat every race, religion, gender, place of origin and sexual orientation with dignity and respect.

Recognizing the reigniting of the wider Black Lives Matter Movement, we were given the opportunity to have three talented local POC artists work on wood panel murals for our windows. Their work gave us much needed positivity and creative energy while we worked to reopen. Artists 2025th (Ty Givens), Curl One (Amaranta Celena Colindres), and Paola De La Cruz created some beautiful art pieces.

You can find them on Instagram at:

@2025th | @Curlieturtle | @Happynappystudio

All of these pieces were painted on large sheets of wood used to board up windows during to the protests in Portland.

Upper Playground and UPDX Gallery are so honored to have their work here in the gallery now. These men and women are fantastic artists and wonderful people. Check out their work! We wish them nothing but success and hope to work with them in the future.

Thank you.