SUPPORTED GROWTH AT THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB in EAST PORTLAND
Portland, Oregon
Supportive Growth, by Daren Todd
Titled Supported Growth, this new mural at Rockwood Boys & Girls Club is a vibrant tribute to the power of community and emotional support. It depicts a young adult uplifted by their peers and adults, illustrating the journey of growing, learning emotional intelligence, and spreading love. Created with input from the youth at the Boys and Girls Club and reflecting Daren’s personal experiences as a queer, trans young adult confronting mental health challenges, this artwork resonates deeply with themes of inclusion and empowerment. The mural is part of a statewide campaign by CareOregon, a non-profit that helps Oregonians access free physical, dental, mental health care and prescription drug coverage.
“The design's bold, colorful and graphic style is meant to inspire both young people and adults, evoking feelings of positivity and communal support. It also honors the memory of my beloved sibling, with a hopeful message for those facing tough times to seek help and connect with others. Through this mural, the message is clear: You are not alone, and together, we can reach new heights. Working on Supported Growth was a wonderful experience of ideation, revision and production that resulted in a final mural I am so proud of. I really enjoyed having so much guidance and input from the youth of Rockwood’s Nightscape Teen Program and the sponsors of the project -- as a mural artist it is so helpful to execute with a clear vision, and this team truly provided quality feedback and guidance that led us to a great final product.” - Daren Todd
Murals have the power to foster greater understanding, compassion, and sense of empathy in our communities. We hope that having this large-scale artwork up at the Boys and Girls Club will serve as a visual reminder that mental health is an essential part of our individual and collective well-being. With help and guidance from Daren, the Boys and Girls Club youth contributed to the design development, helped paint, and really saw the mural come to life before their eyes each time they came back to the club.
UNVEILING CEREMONY
Muralist Daren Todd speaking at the unveiling of Supported Growth at the Rockwood Boys and Girls Club.
In spring of 2024 an unveiling event took place at the Rockwood Boys and Girls Club. The event included a dedication from CEO, Terry Johnson; CareOregon’s Chief of Staff, and speakers Jeremiah Rigsby and Muralist Daren Todd. The teens of the Nightscape youth program also presented Daren with ‘thank you’ art.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Daren Todd identifies as a Black, queer, transgender artist, muralist and arts educator based in Portland, OR. Daren is the founder of Art Larger Than Me, a thriving creative firm focused on community engagement, teaching, and the creation of captivating public art works, installations, and private commissions. Daren's unique artistic style blends abstract expressionism and graphic representation, resulting in cohesive and vibrant pieces, often on a larger scale. His work captures the essence of the communities and identities he resides in, consistently showcasing his inner monologue of experience and emotion.
