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49º | Showers | 84% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:50 a.m. | Sunset 4:40 p.m.

Portland, you’re a work of art

13 murals around Portland

We all know that Portland has a vibrant art scene — and we’re not just talking about The Portland Art Museum or the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. One of our all-time favorite galleries? Portland itself.

Rose City is home to hundreds of meaningful murals and street art pieces. Today, we’re sharing where to find some of the pieces that paint a picture of our city.

Community Cycling Center Mural PDX Portland — Can you spot the tandem bicycle, wheelchair, reclining bicycle, tricycle, and unicycle?
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Photo by Cambrie Juarez, PDXtoday

"The Community Cycling Center Mural,” 1700 NE Alberta St. | By Robin Corbo
A collaborative effort between the lead artist, assistant artists, and dozens of local volunteers led to this mural’s creation in 2006. It showcases a variety of locomotion machines for children of all ages and physical abilities and was inspired by the building’s nonprofit tenant, which provides bikes to those in need.

portland art fills the void mural.jpeg — We can practically feel the potassium boost.
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Photo by Another Believer

"Art Fills the Void,” Southeast 12th Avenue and Division Street | By Gorilla Wallflare
This 30-by-50-ft painting of a bruised banana has a big story to tell. Created in 1982 by one of Portland’s first anonymous “graffiti” art crews, it’s known as the oldest mural in Portland and is a rare surviving example of street art from the decade. It was restored in 2015.

“Attitude of Gratitude,” 959 SE Division St. | By Fin DAC
More than 1,000 plants make up the hair of the five-story woman who towers over the Hosford-Abernethy neighborhood.

pdx portland mural inheritance — The scene depicts an abundance of PNW-related symbols to spot like a western bluebird, Oregon grape, and Mt. Hood.⁠
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Photo by Portland Street Art Alliance

"Inheritance,” Northwest Second Avenue and Salmon Street | By Alex Chiu and Jeremy Nichols
The artists spent about 10 days creating the 11-story-tall mural that represents the passing of knowledge and a sustainable future to younger generations.

Want to make a day out of finding all the murals our city has to offer? Have a peek at this mural map and share photos of your artsy adventure with us on social media by using #PDXtoday.

6 more murals

Asked

How often do you attend local art galleries, museums, or art events?

A. Weekly
B. Monthly
C. 3-4 times per year
D. 1-2 times per year
E. Never

We want to know

Events

Thursday, April 13

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour (Night 1) | Thursday, Apr. 13 | 7 p.m. | Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark St. #110, Portland | $20 | Watch a unique lineup of inspiring action, environmental, and adventure films that explore the world’s mountainous regions.
Gungor with Isa Ma | Thursday, Apr. 13 | 8 p.m. | The Old Church Concert Hall, 1422 SW 11th Ave., Portland | $25-$35 | Enjoy an evening of live music from the baroque pop, folk, and experimental rock-influenced collective led by husband-wife duo, Michael and Lisa Gungor.

Friday, April 14

Portland Disco Ball | Friday, Apr. 14 | 8 p.m. | Show Bar, 1300 SE Stark St. #101, Portland | $10 | Dust off your bell-bottom pants, put on some glitter, and jump back in time to the 1970s for a dance that will have you movin’ and groovin’ all night long.

Saturday, April 15

“Churchill” | Saturday, Apr. 15 + Sunday, Apr. 16 | Times vary | Winningstad Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway, Portland | $64 | Veteran British actor David Payne brings to life one of the greatest historical figures of all time in this “often funny, sometimes touching, and always engaging one-man show.”

Sunday, April 16

NW Portland Makers Market & Bar Hop | Sunday, Apr. 16 | 1-6 p.m. | Boedecker Cellars Winery, 2621 NW 30th Ave., Portland | Free | Shop from 40 artists and makers offering a variety of handmade goods, like jewelry, clothing, woodworking, home decor, paintings, and candles — with a drink in hand.
Natural Burial Info Session | Sunday, Apr. 16 | 4-6 p.m. | 4933 NE 23rd Ave., Portland | Free | Learn how this natural cemetery at White Eagle Memorial Preserve in Goldendale, WA, has revived a once-common practice lauded for its ecological benefits.

April showers? Fill your free hours

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News Notes

Announced

Big local brands will land at Portland International Airport’s new main terminal when it debuts in 2024. You’ll be able to shop sweaters at Pendleton, grab a slice at Sizzle Pie, or sip a pint at Loyal Legion. All 20 concessions will open by late 2025. Which are you most excited about?

Legacy

Celebrate the life and legacy of Walter Cole, better known by his iconic drag queen persona Darcelle XV, at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall’s free public memorial on Tuesday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. A link to tickets will be available soon.

Closing

Today is the last day of business for Coava Coffee’s 1171 SW Jefferson St. location. Coava’s management said they “cannot ensure the safety of our team and customers” at the downtown cafe, which opened nearly six years ago. Two other locations remain open in Southeast Portland; a third is temporarily closed.

Opening

Great Notion Brewing’s second annual Get on the Bus Week kicks off Wednesday, April 19. Customers at its various locations can try special-release beers like a tart “POG Frog” ale made with passionfruit, orange, and guava. Great Notion’s pop-up beer garden at 2015 SE Division St. also reopens Thursday, April 20.

Eat

Pizza lovers, you knead to try this. Portland Mercury’s Pizza Week begins next Monday, April 17 and runs until Sunday, April 23. Thirty-six participating pizzerias including The Blind Onion, Atlas Pizza, and Cicoria will offer special slices and whole pies that won’t cost you too much dough — $3 and $20, respectively. (Portland Mercury)

Family

Portlander Lindsey Murphy — aka “Crazy Aunt Lindsey” — partnered with OMSI to create a four-part video series that explores astronomy, zoology, chemistry, and biology with fun experiments viewers can easily try at home. Episode 1 of “The Fab Lab at OMSI” debuts today.

Outdoors

Want to revel in the cherry blossom bonanza a bit longer? Portland Japanese Garden is at a higher elevation than the waterfront, so its trees are just now blooming. Get a clear view of the show from the pavilion’s western veranda, Cherry Tree Hill, the Strolling Pond Garden, and Umami Cafe. (KOIN)

Ranked

Portland knows a thing or two about the high life. A new study named our town “the best weed city in 2023,” unseating Denver for the canna-boss crown. Portlanders have access to the most affordable prices in the country, with high-quality ounces costing $210 — $106 less than the national average. (Real Estate Witch)

Travel

What trip would be worth leaving Portland? For City Editor Cambrie, it’s New Zealand — to visit everywhere “The Lord of the Rings” was filmed. Sign up for Going to get notified when flight prices drop so you can book your dream trip and feel great about it. Join for free.

Tech

Above the treetops

Google rolls out new tree canopy map to help Portland stay cool

Google’s tree canopy tool estimates Portland’s tree canopy is 36%. | Graphic via Google

Google has released new data and tools to help people in Portland weather extreme heat waves and pinpoint so-called “heat islands.”

With the help of AI and aerial imagery, Google now provides a look at the state of the tree canopy around the city (as well as in Beaverton and Milwaukie). An online interactive map shows users the places where the tree cover is less dense and therefore more vulnerable during heat waves.

The tree canopy tool is part of Google’s Environmental Insights Explorer, which also provides local data on emissions and ways to mitigate them through solar technology.

Google is also updating its search function to help people stay safe if and when sizzling temperatures return. When people search for information on extreme heat, they’ll see emergency alerts and important information — like heat stroke symptoms, tips to keep your home cool, and where to find cooling shelters — when the weather turns extreme.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Cambrie

From the editor

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival needs our help. The annual celebration of theater in Ashland (founded in 1935) has launched an emergency fundraising campaign — “Save Our Season, Save OSF” — to raise $2.5 million for the 2023 season to continue. This year’s festival is set to begin Tuesday, April 18, but planning for 2024 has been suspended.

OSF is a treasured part of my Oregon upbringing. I attended a showing of “The Tempest” at the open-air Allen Elizabethan Theatre last year and was once again blown away by the experience and the general charm and friendliness of the town. I hope the show goes on for us all to enjoy. In the great playwright’s words: “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.”

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