PageB2_____________________________________________ 11 d ia uh ODhsmier ___________________________ August 22. 2007 Art Partnership Creates Lasting Image Police, youth and others join cause A mural has brought together an unlikely buneh - police, street youth, an artist, social service agen­ cies and city bureaus, all in an effort tocreate a lasting image in the heart o f downtown Portland. The scene depicts "people of all types and walks of life, coming to­ gether around a bonfire," explains William Park, the professional art­ ist who brought the concept to life. "The bonfire represents strength and community," adds Portland Police Officer Betty Woodward who works out of Central Precinct. Both make clear that the concept for the artwork came from the young people who hang out in the area. This is no ordinary mural, which is located on a wall by the MAX lig h t rail turn aro u n d on Southwest! 1th Avenue between Yamhill and Morrison streets. When you go by to view the progress of the project you may see several young people working alongside the artist. These young people are often referred to as home­ less or street youth, but when they are working on the mural, they are artists. Woodward initiated the idea of a mural at this downtown location. "I noticed lots of garbage, graffiti, drug paraphernalia and eventually tagging in this location," said Wood- Diversity is depicted on a murai wall by the MAX light-rail turn around on Southwest 11th Avenue. ward. "I thought it would be nice if the young people I work with in this area could have something of their own. something that gave them some ownership and pride in the area." So she started making inquires and formed a partnership with New Avenues for Youth and Outsideln. The agencies were able to get the word out about the project to inter­ ested youth. The mural's theme was determined entirely by the young people during a two-hour collabo­ rative meeting. Once the theme was selected. Park went to work on the draw ings that took about two months to create. After the drawings were com ­ plete, a presentation was made to the Regional Arts and Culture Coun­ cil, which approves all public art­ work, and the mural gained unani­ mous approval. The number of young artists working on the project varied from day-to-day, it could be one or two or as many as eight or nine. Each of the artists worked at the general construction of the mural, all under the guidance of Park, who added the finishing touches to the wall. It is the hope o f everyone in­ volved that having the mural in this location will stave off graffiti, trash and other problems. "This enhances the area, which is one o f the first things people see as they are coming and going from downtown Portland," said W ood­ ward. Disadvantaged Enter OHSU Medical School and geographic," said Dr. Mark last year's post-bac program. Four Richardson, dean of the OHSU are first-year medical students at OHSU,one willentertheOHSU phy­ School of Medicine. D elaC ruzcam e to Oregon from sician-assistant program, and the the Philippines at age 12. He gradu­ other three plan to pursue health­ ated from La Salle High School in care education in other venues. To be eligible, students must Milwaukie, receiving an academic scholarship to Willamette Univer­ articulate the educational, economic sity where he earned his bachelor's or social disadvantages that have impacted their academic progress. in biology. He then applied for and was ac­ They must further demonstrate a cepted to the post-baccalaureate commitment to medicine and com­ program, an intense, three-term pro­ passionate care. For more information, contact gram that helps prepare aspiring Laurie Mecham, OHSU School of medical students through a rigorous Medicine diversity-outreach man­ math and science curriculum, aca­ ager, by em ail at m echam l@ demic advising and other support. ohsu.edu. Eight students were accepted into Breaking down barriers The first four students admitted to the Oregon Health & Sciences School of Medicine via the school's new post-baccalaureate diversity program are among a class of 120 first-year students. The program, administered by School of Medicine faculty and stu­ dents, is designed to identify his­ torically underrepresented stu­ dents like J. “Dodie” Salvador de la Cruz, 25, of Portland. De la Cruz is among a subset of promising students who tradition­ ally have faced socioeconomic. educational and cultural barriers to medical, physician-assistant and other health-care schools. Through the new program and other diversity projects, OHSU is committed to breaking down the barriers that keep disadvantaged students from becoming health care professionals. "Our goal istom oveclosertothe day when our community of health­ care professionals mirrors the de­ mographics of our patients. We will pursue diversity of all types, in­ cluding socioeconomic, cultural J. ‘Dodie ’ Salvador de la Cruz — STATI TAAM State Farm® Il,r |In rtla u b (ObsevUCV Call 5O3-288-OO31 ads@portlandobserver.com Advertise w ith diversity in Providing Insurance and Financial Services King of Clean IN T U B A M I I Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710 A Professional Janitorial Company Michael E Harper P.O. Box 219-112 • Portland, OB 97225-9112 (503) 839-0752 Agent We moved to our new location at: 9713 S.W. Capitol Portland.OR 503-221-3050 Fax 503-227-8757 We accept major credit cards Tim R. 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