A lasting symbol of Portland’s connection to place and public space, the Elk’s return reflects what’s possible through collaboration, care, and thoughtful stewardship of public art. This April, the City of Portland, Portland Parks Foundation, and the Regional Arts & Culture Council hosted a public event with a dedication ceremony, performance, community booths, giveaways, food trucks and more! After years of careful stewardship, and a community celebration, the beloved Thompson Elk Fountain has returned to its historic home.

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. As a years-long partner for the Library Capital Bond projects, RACC administered and coordinated a public art program for the project, supporting the commissioning and installation of a significant collection of permanent artworks throughout the building and site.

Artworks by Paula Champagne, Ka'ila Farrell-Smith, Michaela Goade, Crystal Schenk and Shelby Davis of CR&SH Studio Art, and Mike Suri and Terresa White represent RACC's 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. 

Meeting travelers just outside the north exit lane of PDX’s new main terminal, artist Kate Newby’s work features more than 1,500 individually hand-made tiles created from found materials collected across Oregon including melted glass, leaves, pine needles, and other traces of the region’s landscape.

Developed over two years, the installation was realized in collaboration with local partners and the community. Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (PICA) and RACC hosted a community glass workshop, including select tiles even incorporating melted glass from windows at the airport’s original site, embedding PDX directly into the work. 

Several new works across the airport are now on view, including installations accessible in pre-security public areas. Learn about all of the artists selected to produce large-scale artworks at PDX here.

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.