Portand, Oregon. Montavilla in Motion: Art, History, and Community

May 2
2 min read

Portland, Oregon. Montavilla in Motion: Art, History, and Community

Since January, I’ve been installing monthly panels on the trolley sculpture in Montavilla, Portland, Oregon. What started as an idea has grown into something much bigger for me— interactive art pieces that are shaped by community, history, and creativity. Portland is so much more than just downtown—it’s a city of neighborhoods, from the suburbs to historic districts, each with its own rich and diverse story to tell.

I’ve been getting a lot of questions about the trolley, so here’s a little behind-the-scenes: this project has been a long (and incredibly fun) collaboration with Montavilla East Tabor Business Association (METBA), Portland city partners, and a talented group of local artists who helped bring it to life. If you are on the newsletter, then you get the updates of each month's theme.

Videos:

The installation is meant to be interactive—a place where people can pause, take a photo, and feel connected to the space around them. And yes… I’ve gotten requests! But time moves fast, and part of the beauty of this project is that it changes. I refresh the panels every month so the story keeps evolving. And next month—new artist! If you are interested in installing panels (creating square art panels) DM me, or METBA. The goal is to highlight Montavilla’s rich history while reflecting the people and everyday life happening right now. This is Portland—layered, creative, and always growing.

For May, during a visit to the Oregon Historical Society, I found inspiration in old newspaper clippings—carefully preserved, meant to be photographed but not touched. That idea stayed with me: how do we honor history while making it accessible?

DIY Process: PLAID Creators

For these panels, I recreate that archival feel in a hands-on way. When handling newspaper clips, we wear white gloves, and I photograph the newspaper clippings, then print them on my laser printer. From there, I brush on Plaid Crafts Mod Podge—specifically the Crystal Clear formula—to achieve a glossy finish. It gives the paper a photo-like look without the weight of traditional photo paper, making it both durable and ideal for an outdoor, ever-evolving installation. And because it rains here in Portland, I add a couple of extra layers—so as you can see, it holds up beautifully all month long!