First LGBTQ+ Community Mural in Portland
NORTH PARK BLOCKS, PEARL DISTRICT
“Never Look Away celebrates the beauty and struggle of queer people, declaring that queer people are here to stay, because we have always been here. Creation and resistance have been sisters throughout history. We must create what we want in the world alongside resisting that which others people and leaves them vulnerable to anger and violence.” – Mural Production Team
The first of its kind, the new 120ft Never Look Away mural in Portland celebrates eight pioneers of the LBGTQ+ community. Marsha P Johnson, Kathleen Saadat, Rupert Kinnard, Lynn Nakamoto, David Martinez, Angelica Ross, Asa Wright, and Aydien Dowling. The mural is located at 720 NW Davis St in downtown Portland.
It was brought to life by artists Cassandra Swan (design lead), Kyra Watkins (portraits) and mural assistants Rachel Oleson, Tommie Mack-Davis, (aka, Nafsi), and Naomi Likayi.
Artist Kyra Watkins, painting the portrait section of the wall. Watkins painted all eight portraits.
This mural took 5 years to pull together, thanks to a team of three producers:
ZOE PILIAFAS
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER / SHE/HER
Zoe Piliafas has produced two iconic murals in Portland: The Fiercest Athletes by Jeremy Okai Davis and the Black United Fund Mural by Eatcho and Jeremy Nichols. For the past two years she has worked to produce the Historical Black Heritage Markers, five permanent 7ft massive art markers on Alberta Street. She believes that every person who walks around Portland should be represented and welcomed through narrative experiences that reflect their own existence.
RUBAN LAWRENCE
PRODUCER / HE/HIM
Ruban Lawrence has worked in software consulting for 12+ years, and has extensive experience in project management. As a brown queer man, there is great meaning for him in being able to use his professional skills to contribute to the queer rights movement by co-creating the Never Look Away mural.
CASSANDRA SWAN
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER / ARTIST / SHE/HER
Cassandra Swan is an illustrator and designer who strives to create positivity and human connection through art and design. She specializes in crafting compelling visual narratives and building community through art-based play. She loves to explore how our differences strengthen us when we work together and believes the future can only be built on diversity. Her work centers around creative play, expression, education and collaboration. Never Look Away has been an opportunity to couple creation with resistance, and to work across communities to create a future that welcomes and serves all Portlanders.
With a chance meeting years ago between Zoe Piliafas and LGBTQ+ activist, Kathleen Saadat , the concept sprang to life. “I’m going to be putting a mural up that’s going to have you on it along with some other significant community members from the LGBTQ community.” With that spark, Portland’s first LBGTQ+ community mural was born.
After five years, and with the help of a many different organizations, the mural has come to life. Piliafas was able to secure funding with the help of Pride Northwest, the City of Portland and most of all, in-kind contributions from the community.
Portland Street Art Alliance assisted the production crew in commissioning some of the artists, in addition to providing the team with logistical support, consultation, and painting supply loaners.
Portrait painter Kyra Watkins first worked with Portland Street Art Alliance last year during our Ladies Up mural series. After moving to Portland from Columbus, Ohio just over two years ago, Kyra has already made her mark on the Portland landscape. “This is perfect for me because portraits are what I do,” Watkins says, “It’s right where I feel comfortable and right at home so I’m really excited. And the cause means a lot to me so you know that’s divine planning I think.” Watkins stated to OPB in an article covering the mural project.
In addition to honoring the activists, Tanzania artist Tommie Mack-Davis (Nafsi), found a global meaning to the work; they explained how it’s still illegal to be gay in their homeland and that gay people face reprisals, beatings and murder.
Eventually, Piliafas plans to create educational materials mural that can be used in schools and handed out at walking tours. She hopes this project will spur greater conversation and provide historical acknowledgment for the local and national LGBTQ+ community.
RIBBON CUTTING
On August 20, 2021 the Never Look Away (@neverlookaway) mural was officially dedicated in a ceremony. August 20th was also honored with a proclamation from the Office of the Mayor as “Never Look Away Day” in Portland, Oregon.
The event featured an array of folx who helped make this mural possible and supported the massive undertaking. Speakers included Curator Zoe Piliafas, Producer Ruban Lawerence, mural honorees David Martinez, Asa Wright, Rupert Kinnard and Lynn Nakamoto and artists Cassandra Swan and Kyra Watkins . Speeches were made by Portland City Commissioners Carmen Rubio and Dan Ryan. Also in attendance were mural painting assistants, Rachel Oleson, Tommie Mack-Davis, and Naomi Likayi.
FEATURED IN THE MURAL
Marsha P. Johnson
Was an American gay liberation activist and self-identified drag queen. Known as an outspoken advocate for gay rights, Johnson was one of the prominent figures in the Stonewall uprising of 1969.
Kathleen Saadat
LGBTQ+ activist, Kathleen Saadat, helped organize Portland, Oregon's first gay rights march.
Rupert Kinnard
Creator of the first African American LGBTQ comic book characters.
Lynn Nakamoto
Nakamoto is a founding member of the Oregon Minority Lawyers Association and sat on the board of Porltand’s Q Center .
She is one of eleven openly LGBT state supreme court justices currently serving in the United States.
David Martinez
A founding board member of Portland’s Q Center and also co-founded the Portland Latino Gay Pride, now known as PDX Latinx Pride.
Angelica Ross
An American businesswoman, actress, and transgender rights advocate. Founder and CEO of 'TransTech Social Enterprises', a firm that helps employ transgender people in the tech industry.
Asa Wright
A Klamath/Modoc Tribal member that identifies as Two-spirit . In 2004 he founded the Portland Two-Spirit Society, joining the 32 Two-Spirit societies across the US and Canada.
Aydian Dowling
An activist, speaker, and YouTuber who started the clothing company Point5cc, which benefits the transgender community.
PARTNERS + SPONSORS
Pride Northwest
Miller Paint
Star Rentals
Really Big Video