About the art
The Spirit of Vanport, 2021
Mural and exhibit
A permanent tribute to the spirit of Vanport at the building's entry led by the Vanport Mosaic, a community-based memory activism organization; featuring an interpretive mural by Alex Chiu and an exhibit component created by Bryan Potter Design. The project was directed and curated by Story Midwife Laura Lo Forti, with community weaver Chisao Hata and artist/Vanport descendant Shalanda Sims.
About the artist and Vanport Mosaic
Alex Chiu believes that art has the power to speak to the heart, challenge the mind, and depict the soul. His dream is to unite, inspire, and bring hope to people through his artwork. Chiu holds a BFA in Visual Arts from University of California San Diego. His work has been shown in exhibitions across the West Coast. Alex Chiu is based in Portland Oregon. See more of Alex's work on his Instagram page.
The Vanport Mosaic is a memory-activism platform. They amplify, honor, present, and preserve the silenced histories that surround us in order to understand our present and create a future where we all belong. Since 2015 this grassroots collective of historians, Vanport families, artists, media makers, activists, and educators, have created Lost City, Living Memories: Vanport Through the Voices of Its Residents - the largest living archive of oral history recordings. Their annual festival and ongoing community-centered work have received the Spirit of Portland Award, the Columbia Slough Watershed Council’s Achievement Award, and the Oregon Heritage Excellence Award. Learn more about Vanport Mosaic on their website.
Banner image: Photo by Maddy Miller.