East County Library’s central living room with comfortable seating, collections and artwork; rendering courtesy of Holst Architecture

On May 16, Multnomah County Library will inaugurate its new East County Library, a 95,000-square-foot "dynamic destination" that redefines the civic role of a contemporary library. In partnership, RACC has commissioned a suite of permanent public works that integrate art directly into the architecture of the space.

Paula Champagne created artworks that frame the building’s four high-traffic elevator bays. After leading an all-ages workshop where Gresham residents were asked to illustrate their favorite types of flowers, Paula was moved by the playful and joyful spirit of the participants and their various floral submissions. Ka'ila Farrell-Smith has installed 12 large-scale, site-specific, wall-mounted 2-dimensional artworks. Also inspired by community engagement and by petroglyphic imagery found along the Columbia River, Ka’ila fuses these local glyphs with abstraction and the symbolism of mountain contours and ibex forms emerging from shimmering colorful backdrops.

Children's book author and illustrator, Michaela Goade created the art installed on the exterior play area walls influenced by her Caldecott Honor-winning story, Berry Song.  Crystal Schenk and Shelby Davis of CR&SH Studio Art create a rhythmic presence in the exterior north/south spine and the rooftop terrace, where patrons can enjoy a series of folly sculptures peppered throughout. These artworks pay tribute to the local community, the importance of land and water resources, and well-known icons in and around the Portland metro region. As part of the exterior artworks, three bronze and steel sculptures along Eastman Parkway are a collaboration between local artists Mike Suri and Terresa White. Inspired by the tundra swans' annual migration to the Willamette Valley, Terresa’s bronze swans symbolize the global movement of people who have made homes in this region. Mike’s stainless steel elements highlight a fusion of heritage and innovation, with ornamental shapes reflecting his South Asian roots.

Collectively, these works represent RACC commitment to the idea that public art is a vital component of our community’s infrastructure. We invite our community to join us during the public celebration on May 16th and 17th.

Artists, community reviewers, arts supporters and RACC team members gather for a First Thursday grantee celebration. 

On March 5, RACC gathered with our community for a First Thursday Grantee Celebration. The evening was a tribute to the 274 artists and organizations recently awarded a combined $1.2 million in funding through the Portland Arts Project Grants in partnership with the City of Portland’s Office of Arts & Culture. With 107 first-time recipients in this cycle, the event hummed with the energy of new connections and a shared commitment to Portland’s cultural future.

The highlight of the evening was a toast led by our grants team honoring the 179 individual artists and 95 arts organizations whose work—spanning film, music, literature, and visual arts—serves as an important public resource. We also recognized the 38 community reviewers who powered our peer-led selection process, and got to hear from our partners at the Office of Arts & Culture. Keep an eye on our Instagram and event calendar as these projects begin to unfold in neighborhoods across the city.

As the Port of Portland nears the completion of its ambitious $2 billion main terminal expansion, our local airport is being transformed into a world-class gallery. While the architectural marvel of the timber roof has already captured attention, the final phase of construction—scheduled for a grand unveiling this Spring—features a series of significant public art commissions. 

Among these works is a monumental 55-foot glass and stone mosaic by artist Dyani White Hawk. Installed piece by piece, this intricate composition draws deep inspiration from Indigenous beadwork and weaving traditions. The mosaic offers an abstracted view of Mount Hood, serving as a profound visual meditation on the enduring connection between land, sky, and community. 

Learn about all of the artists selected to produce large-scale artworks at PDX here.

Rendering of the exterior west-facing entrance. (Image provided by Scott Edwards Architecture)

The Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC), in partnership with Multnomah County, invites artists or artist teams to submit qualifications for a site-specific interior mural at the Rockwood Community Health Center (RCHC) located at 2020 SE 182nd Ave., Portland, OR. The budget available for the artwork comes from Multnomah County’s Percent for Art Program and is approximately from $10,000. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

This project invites artists or artist teams to submit a digital artwork that will be scaled and adapted into a site-specific mural for the interior stairwell at RCHC, connecting the public areas of the clinic. The stairwell is a transitional space used by patients, staff, and visitors moving between the main lobby on the first floor to the Pharmacy and Dental Clinic on the lower level. As a result, the stairwell is an active, highly visible space, accessible to clinic visitors and viewable from the front lobby and common areas.

Artists or artist teams living in Multnomah County with a strong connection to the Rockwood/East County area are strongly encouraged to apply. If applying as a team, at least one member must meet the residence eligibility requirement. RACC is committed to engaging new communities of artists and expanding the range of artistic and cultural expression represented in the County’s public art collection.

For more information about this opportunity and to apply, please visit this link. 

Arts and culture are the heartbeat of our region, helping us reflect who we are and what we stand for. For decades, RACC has believed in the power of art as a resource for community well-being and economic vitality, providing tailored services, growing a nationally acclaimed public art program, and facilitating career-changing opportunities. 

Created by community, for community, RACC remains dedicated to protecting, celebrating, and sustaining arts and culture in our region. We invite you to join us in creating space for arts and culture in every neighborhood. The time to evolve is now, and we want you to be a part of our future.