Criminales Todos: A Call for Artists
The Safe Communities Project and the Portland Central America Solidarity Committee are looking for artists to submit work reflecting the criminalization of communities of color for a show at Launch Pad Gallery, 534 SE Oak St. For centuries, poor and mostly minority communities have received targeted laws and law enforcement that have created an imbalance in the criminal justice system.
"In times of increased police surveillance, tightened border control and the implementation of anti-immigrant and racist laws across the country, we encourage artists to engage in a conversation about the devastating repercussions of policing and the militarization in our local communities," according to the curators.
Criminales Todos is a traveling community art exhibit that aims to inspire dialogue and examination on issues surrounding policing, criminalization, immigration and human rights.
Guidelines:
All mediums are welcome. Artwork may include, but is not limited to painting, drawing, photography, video, sculpture, performance art, interactive art, design, and other site-specific installations;
$10 submission fee for up to 4 works. (Scholarships available);
Please include with your submissions: Artists' Full Name, Phone #, Title or Artwork, Dimensions of Artwork, Artists' Biography (1 paragraph), Statement of Intent (1-2 paragraphs);
Submit images of artwork electronically to Brenda (at) pcasc.net in Jpeg format: no more than 1200 pixels at the longest dimension and no more than 72DPI in resolution;
Artwork invited to participate in the show must be ready to hang on the gallery walls. Artists are responsible for preparing their work for the exhibit.
Submissions deadline is Dec. 1. If you have any questions contact: Brenda Salas Neves at 503-236-7916.
Visit: http://criminalestodos.tumblr.com/.
Shoes for the Shoeless
Do you have gently worn shoes or boots that you would be willing to part with? The 22nd Annual Shoes for the Shoeless Program is collecting such footwear until Dec. 31 for the Portland Rescue Mission.
Drop-off locations include:
New Shoes Professional Shoe Recrafters and Pedorthic Center, 12255 SW Main St. in Tigard;
Snow Owl Designs, 8166 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy.;
The Jag Shop, 5710 E. Burnside St.
Miss Black USA Seeks Entrants
Do you have what it takes to be Oregon's or the nation's next African American queen? The Miss Black USA Scholarship Foundation is looking for Miss Black Oregon USA 2011. She must have at least a 2.5 grade point average, be talented and must have a desire to represent her community and higher education for Oregonians.
There will be a $3,500 college scholarship awarded, as well as a year-long reign as spokesperson for the foundation, with promotional and endorsement opportunities. The winner will represent Oregon in the national competition for a $10,000 college scholarship and crown.
Applications are being accepted every Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. until Dec. 15 at 10 N. Russell St. (at Williams) in the Urban League building.
For more information, call 971-409-8687 or visit www.missblackoregon.org.
City Launches Android Reporting App
Now residents who use Android phones can report and request service calls to City assets and publicly maintained infrastructure. Using this app, community members can immediately report issues about parks, potholes, street lights, sewer catch basins, and graffiti.
The decision to create an open sourced Android app follows the successful release of a similar iPhone app in February 2010, and is aimed at increasing transparency through open data and improving communications with Portland residents.
"This is a way to instantly connect with your City. If you see a problem in your neighborhood, you don't have to wait to report it. You can make a report instantly. I encourage Portlanders to download the PDX Reporter app and send us information on the issues you see around your community," says Mayor Sam Adams.
People wanting to submit a report can select one of the five report types, take a photo, locate the issue via the map, add comments, and send their report directly to the appropriate bureau for resolution. Once submitted, the person making the report will receive updates directly to their phone regarding the status of their issue(s).
Denver Avenue Unveils Public Art
The N Denver Avenue Streetscape Project has been completed and will be celebrated on November 18 with the unveiling of a significant sculpture by artist Mauricio Saldana as the centerpiece of the district makeover. Local government agencies and their elected officials, neighborhood and business associations will join Saldana at the celebration.
The project added wider sidewalks, new street trees, ornamental street lighting, carved stone benches, stormwater treatment planters and public art. The purpose of the project is to support continued revitalization of the historic Kenton business district.
African American Mural Exhibit Open
The Oregon Historical Society's exhibit of Black public art, "Walls of Heritage, Walls of Pride: African American Murals" is now open and will be available to view until Feb. 13, 2011. The Oregon Historical Society's museum is located at 1200 SW Park Ave. in Downtown Portland.
The exhibit features art from local artists that include the late Charlotte Lewis, and photographs and examples of public art from Black artists across the nation. The exhibit includes the Albina Mural Project, originally painted in 1977 and taken down in 1983.
In coordination with the exhibit, Visual Artist Arvie Smith will discuss his year-long mural project with incarcerated youth inside the Donald E. Long Juvenile Justice Center at 7 p.m. on Dec. 2 at PCC Cascade, Moriarty Arts and Humanities Building, Auditorium, 705 N. Killingsworth St. Smith transforms the history of oppressed and stereotyped segments of the American experience into lyrical two-dimensional master works. His memories of growing up in the South add to his awareness of the legacy that the slavery of African Americans has left with all Americans today.
