Artists Transform NEW Library Operations Center IN EAST PORTLAND

Portland, Oregon

In 2023, PSAA was commissioned by Multnomah County Library to help them create artwork for their new Operations Center in East Portland. PSAA worked closely with Hennebery Eddy Architects and Fortis Construction for over a year to make this project happen. A stunningly talented group of Pacific Northwest artists were selected by the library to create a unique collection of murals installed throughout the building. Panels were provided to each artist, and they painted their murals in their studios.

Jesslilyn Brinkerhoff

*Cherish and Respect* by Jessllyn Brinkerhoff

Oregon muralist and musician Jessilyn Brinkerhoff’s mural combines the natural wonders of Oregon forests to share a visually captivating story told through a series of concentric circles and small worlds to get lost in.

“This composition features cherished species from Northwest ecosystems. Depicted are a polyphemus moth, cedars, maples, dogwoods, fir cone, trout, salmon, cedar waxwing, cedar hairstreak butterfly, white oak, Mt. Hood, and views of the landscapes they reside in.” – Jessilyn Brinkerhoff

KYLER MARTZ

Titled Between Pages and Petals, this mural showcases Kyler’s vintage illustration style and ornate line work. He created an intricate composition that looks like it could grace the walls of a palace or the pages of a book.

“Weekly trips to the library as a kid were how I discovered art and built the worlds I still escape into today as an artist. I’m still inspired by the beauty that lies between the covers of books, and the places that house them.” – Kyler Martz

DAVID RICE

Muralist David Rice was commissioned to create two large mural installations for the Operations Center’s 2nd floor, a beautiful open area to greet visitors and for employees to mingle.

David’s masterfully rendered hyper-realistic still life subjects, combined with his warm and vibrant palettes, give the artwork and space an elevated yet welcoming feel. You can certainly get lost in the wonderful details of these pieces. Titled Makers Mark 1 + 2, these companion pieces feature tools used by the artists that make up Portland's creative scene.

“From writers to photographers, to painters and chefs, Portland is saturated with talented and creative individuals. This piece pays homage to our community of artists and the tools of their trade.” – David Rice

BLAINE FONTANA

Veteran Pacific Northwest muralist Blaine Fontana’s piece is titled Anthrohedrondermy, and creates an interconnected visual story weaving together flora, fauna, and our natural surroundings.

“My vision harmonizes ecospheres. Combining bold graphic narrative elements juxtaposed with a revealing painterly process is continually my passion and challenge. This artwork bridges flora and fauna, ancestral stories in stars, our connective linear river flow of time, and NW plants. My inspiration was to invoke an experience of humility and selfless respect inside our natural world.” – Blaine Fontana

NICKY KRIARA

Woodland Passages was PSAA’s first opportunity to commission Portland artist Nicky Kriara. She delivered a wonderfully interwoven piece that highlights her graphic and illustrative line art style.

“Inspired by the biophilia of the Pacific Northwest, Woodland Passages celebrates the synergy of nature while drawing parallels to the world of books and knowledge distribution. I focused on the interplay of pollinators, seeds, and nectar within a forest. Among a backdrop of pine trees, the foreground consists of magnified imagery, including milk thistle seeds, a vibrant hummingbird, a columbine flower, pinecones, maple leaves, a ‘helicopter’ seedling, a microscopic view of plant cells, salmonberries, chanterelle mushrooms, a trillium, a thistle flower, and an intricate close-up of a Monarch butterfly wing. Each element symbolizes the art of observation and the cultivation of wisdom. The white line winding through the painting represents the fructifying wind, serving as a guiding path for alchemical transformations, similar to how libraries nurture an environment where ideas flourish and take shape.” – Nicky Kriara

Christian Tellez

Architect and Muralist Christian Tellez’ piece features close-up illustrations of carefully observed parts of nature in a patchwork pattern. The piece is titled Photo and Thesis, meaning watch and learn. With this mural, Christian is reminding the viewer to observe the natural world around them and to listen to its message.

“As light is converted into energy around us, we should always learn from nature and power society, transforming knowledge and kindness into hope and progress. Listen to nature, listen to the wise, feel the colors, feel the life, and seek the light.” – Christian Tellez

Washington-based Artist & Storyteller Toma Villa painted a mural entitled, Elk and Sturgeon. The mural design is based on a story told by people who come from the Nchí Wána (Columbia) River.

“Elk wanders and wanders the land and keeps on returning to the big river. He looks across it and wonders what’s on the other side. He looks down at the water and sees so many salmon that he thinks he can walk across on their backs, but every time he tries, he slips and falls. Sturgeon is watching and asks what he’s doing. Elk replies that he wants to cross the river. Sturgeon replies, “I can get you across the river, but you have to give me something. You have to give me a piece of yourself.” So Elk gives Sturgeon a piece of his own meat and Sturgeon carries it in his mouth. Elk climbs onto Sturgeon’s back and is able to stand without falling on Sturgeon’s rough skin. As Sturgeon swims across the river, the meat in his mouth becomes his cheeks. With their partnership, Sturgeon carries Elk to the opposite side of the river and the strength of Elk’s meat in his cheeks allows Sturgeon to eat whatever he wants.” - Toma Villa

UNVEILING EVENT

In January 2024, an unveiling event was hosted by the library to provide an opportunity for the project teams and public to see the new Operations Center building and mural artwork.