09.05.2023

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Today’s Forecast

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

A lasting legacy

Northwest Portland’s Lovejoy Columns: one immigrant’s lasting legacy

Cement towers stand in a courtyard covered with photographic reproductions of original art.

“Sometimes, when I’m not finished, the train wait a minute. I paint — then climb down and wave her on,” Tom said in a 1967 interview. | Photo by PDXtoday

Two columns stand in Northwest Portland’s Pearl District, rising to meet a viaduct that no longer exists. Their tops are ragged, cleaved from the cement they once supported — prongs of rebar still jutting forth like rusted tendons. The value of these columns lies not in their bygone strength, but in the art encircling them.

These are the Lovejoy Columns. Their story is tied to the legacy of one man — an immigrant who came to Portland to nurture a dream. His name was Athanasios Efthimiou Stefopoulos, but he went by Tom.

Tom reached the US in 1910, hoping to land a career in the arts and send money back to his family in Greece. Instead, he worked most of his life as a night watchman in the SP&S railyards of Northwest Portland, while taking odd jobs as a sign painter and penmanship teacher.

Four black and white photos of the original artwork on the Lovejoy columns, ranging from trees and animals to Greco-Roman influences. — Tom’s original artwork on the Lovejoy Viaduct columns.
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Photos via City of Portland archives

At the railyards, Tom passed time doing what he loved: painting. He drew Greek mythology and American imagery on the columns supporting the Lovejoy Viaduct, which carried the western approach to the Broadway Bridge over the freight tracks. Tom used chalk and later painted over the lines, creating what’s thought to be one of the earliest — if not the first — recorded examples of graffiti in Portland.

Tom is thought to have painted roughly a dozen murals from 1948-1952.

The viaduct was demolished to make way for the Pearl’s expansion in the late 1990s, but a group of local architects and artists successfully lobbied to save 10 of the painted columns. Most languished in a storage yard long enough for the weather to wash away Tom’s work — but two were preserved in a courtyard on Northwest 10th Avenue between Everett and Flanders streets.

Today, the original paintings on the columns are encased beneath full-size photographic reproductions.

Events

Wednesday, Sept. 6

Craft Mixology Class: Tropical Cocktails | Wednesday, Sept. 6 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Straightaway Cocktails, 901 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland | $85 | Learn how to make four tropical-themed cocktails (and sip the fruits of your labor), then receive a complimentary liqueur tasting with snacks.
Powell’s Presents: Anis Mojgani | Wednesday, Sept. 6 | 7 p.m. | Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland | Free | Oregon’s poet laureate will talk about “The Tigers, They Let Me” — a collection of poems that speak to his quest for true self-love — alongside fellow author Jon Raymond.

Thursday, Sept. 7

First Thursday Street Gallery | Thursday, Sept. 7, Thursday, Oct. 5 | 5-9 p.m. | Pearl District, Northwest 13th Ave. between Irving and Lovejoy streets, Portland | Free | Browse booths and outdoor pop-up displays, meet local artists, listen to live music, and explore the area’s galleries at this long-running celebration of art.

Friday, Sept. 8

Eric Church: The Outsiders Revival Tour | Friday, Sept. 8 | 7 p.m. | RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater, 17200 NE Delfel Rd., Ridgefield | $56-$199 | The “Heart on Fire” singer is performing at outdoor venues for the first time in 13 years.
Cirque Italia Water Circus: “Aquatic Spectacular” | Friday, Sept. 8-Monday, Sept. 11 | Times vary | Clackamas Town Center, 12000 SE 82nd Ave., Happy Valley | $15-$55 | Aerial acts, contortionists, and other talented artists will dazzle audiences as they perform on and above a unique stage that holds 35,000 gallons of water.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Civic

Since it was built in 1917, the Keller Auditorium has been a hub for Portlanders seeking entertainment, but now its future is uncertain. City leaders say the theater needs major work — seismic upgrades, for starters. Officials are in the very early stages of exploring options, from renovating to building a new venue. (KGW)

Cause

SOLVE will host its annual Beach & Riverside Cleanup from Saturday, Sept. 9, to Sunday, Sept. 17. Sign up to help beautify and restore Oregon’s beaches, rivers, habitats, and neighborhoods at more than 60 sites — from the coast to Portland and beyond — with the main events culminating on Saturday, Sept. 16.

Plan Ahead

Soter Vineyards is throwing a 25th anniversary cocktail party on Saturday, Sept. 16, 6:30-9:30 p.m., at Mineral Springs Ranch in Carlton. Tickets to the Harvest Celebration are $175 and include food prepared by chef Bret Uniss of Humble Spirit and Source Farms, live music, and wine.

Concert

Summer may be winding down, but the show goes ever on when it comes to live music. Several big names will make stops at various Portland venues this month, including Kiana Lede, Playboi Carti, Arctic Monkeys, Daniel Caesar, and Owl City. (KOIN)

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Cambrie

From the editor

By now, you’ve likely been made aware (either by personal observation, workplace chatter, or online memes) that pumpkin spice is back. It’s almost like the unofficial herald of fall and looming executioner of summer, transforming daily life through its insidious seasonal presence in our coffees, candles, and even our SPAM.

Despite it all... I really do love pumpkin spice. If you’re also on Team PS, then you might want to visit Salt & Straw Ice Cream. The company launched its Harvest Festival flavor series and it includes Pumpkin Spiced Tiramisu.

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