BUILDING COMMUNITY, TOGETHER
EAST PORTLAND
PSAA is excited to announce the completion of a new mural located at The Rosewood Initiative. The mural, titled The Eastside, celebrates the vibrant and diverse community of East Portland, where so many stories of resilience and growth take root. Set among a garden of iconic Portland roses and new blooms, the mural honors the strength of immigrant journeys and the pride in the many cultures that shape this community. Though often overlooked and underserved, East Portland continues to strive, thrive, and uplift its members, standing as a vibrant hub of economic growth and opportunity.
The Portland Environment Management Office (PEMO) of the City of Portland provided a grant to support the creation of this mural.
The mural was designed and painted by Portland-based mural artist, Daren Todd. Daren creates vibrant, community-driven artworks that blend abstract art and graphic portraiture, capturing the interconnectedness of humanity and nature. If you look closely, you can spot him in the mural.
The Eastside represents the diverse community that the Rosewood Initiative serves, and includes stylized portraits, symbolic of the many cultural groups who call East Portland home. Daren thoughtfully illustrated the spirit of this well-loved social service hub and its important role as an anchor in the East Portland community, along with their slogan “Building Our Community Together."
This mural came to life through a process of carefully selecting images from The Rosewood Initiative's archives, capturing moments from community events and the everyday life of East Portland. By combining the emotion and pride in the portraits with a variety of Oregon’s native plants and flowers, Daren aimed to create a design that would brighten the previously faded yellow exterior of The Rosewood Initiative.
“The Eastside took about a week to complete, with the help of a small, dedicated team of assistants. I’m incredibly proud of the outcome and deeply grateful for the opportunity to visually represent what The Rosewood Initiative stands for. My hope is that this mural truly reflects the spirit of the people who make East Portland what it is.” – Daren Todd
"We are thrilled to see this mural come to life! Daren’s art brings together an important piece of our growing community hub. It has transformed the outside of our building into a welcoming space that invites community members in, and captures the resilience, diversity, and beauty of East Portland. We have so much gratitude for Portland Street Art Alliance and the Portland Environment Management Office for being great partners in this process and making the mural possible.” – The Rosewood Initiative Team
“PSAA is honored to support the creation of The Eastside mural, a vibrant visual celebration of the resilience and diversity that defines East Portland. This collaboration reflects the power of art to connect people, amplify and elevate marginalized voices; stories that too often go unheard. Daren’s thoughtful design and skilled execution not only enhance Rosewood Initiative’s building, but also serve as a lasting testament to the strength and spirit of this neighborhood. We’re proud to see public art continue to play a vital role in transforming our city and bringing communities together.” – Tiffany Conklin, PSAA Executive Director
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
