Project Hope
2007-2009
Project Hope showcases the artwork by more than 100 of the teenagers detained at The Donald E. Long Juvenile Center located in Portland for committing Measure 11 crimes from 2007-2009. The art collective was created by Arvie Smith and was funded by Multnomah County’s 2 percent for art program, set aside in the mid-90’s when the Juvenile Justice Center was built. A primary objective of the project was to provide kids a chance to learn about their creativity and how to channel it once outside of confinement as well as to give them a bit of hope during a very dark time in their lives. “Hope is at the heart of the compositions”, Arvie Smith.
Still We Rise, MLK & Alberta, Portland, Oregon 2018
Starting with the Vanport Flood of 1948, this work tells the story of the upward struggle of the Albina neighborhood residents. Despite the systematic dismantling of the neighborhood by the local government and housing market, the community forged ahead to maintain unity with resilience, determination and hope. The historic events, landmarks, and resolve depicted in the mural include the legendary jazz scene, property red lining, police brutality, human struggle and the ravaging of Black spaces through “urban renewal.”
Inspired by the words of Maya Angelou in her poem, Still I Rise, “the nobleness of the human spirit” and the resolve to move beyond a “past rooted in pain”, the artist created the central figure pointing to the Still We Rise flag to encourage strength, pride and hope for future generations. Let this work be held as a landmark at the core of this historic neighborhood that is so rapidly changing structurally, socially, and economically. Let this work capture the rich culture and history of Albina and inspire identity, pride and unity.
