Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 18, 2017)
Page 12 January 18, 2017 Subscribe! 503-288-0033 Fill Out & Send To: Arts & ENTERTAINMENT Attn: Subscriptions, PO Box 3137, Portland OR 97208 $45.00 for 3 months • $80.00 for 6 mo. • $125.00 for 1 year (please include check with this subscription form) Name: Telephone: Address: or email subscriptions@portlandobserver.com The Song “My Prayer”, Written and Sung by Gloria Cash Can be downloaded at CDBaby.com • 503 288-2118 CD can be purchased at: JP’s Custom Picture Framing & Gallery 418 NE Killingsworth St., Portland, Oregon 97211 Portland artist and journalist Donovan Smith, a leading voice in the fight against gentrification, will serve as the inaugural director of an artist and residency program at the Emerson House. Building a Stronger Community Artist to serve at Emerson House Sweet Street Food Cart on the corner of 15th and Alberta call 503-995-6150 to place order Monday - Friday, 11:00am - 7:00pm Buy one chicken dinner get 1 free chicken sandwich (Half-off with this coupon -- Expires February 28, 2017) There’s a new neighbor in northeast Portland’s King Neigh- borhood and he’s looking to shake things up with his appoint- ment as the inaugural director of the DIY Artist-and-Residency Program at Emerson House. Journalist and creative Dono- van Smith will helm the curation of the arts at Emerson House’s gallery space. Emerson House is a new program centered on cre- ating sustainable, strong commu- nities through arts and education. The organization offers innova- tive strategies and programming through the arts designed to cre- ate greener, safer, and stronger models for neighborhoods. “We couldn’t be more happy to have Donovan and his unique talents and deep roots throughout the city as part of the community we’re creating here,” says Diane Freaney, Emerson House owner. A former award-winning re- porter for The Portland Observer and The Skanner, and founder of clothing brand Ignorant/Reflec- tions , Smith has grown a fol- lowing for his “ Gentrification Is WEIRD!” themed projects and clothing line . He knows the importance of the arts and information in build- ing strong communities. “We can talk about affordable housing, but ultimately what we’re talking about with gen- trification, or ‘new Portland’ vs. ‘old Portland’ is the loss of com- munities,” Smith says.“What- ever’s been happening before, hasn’t been working. The Em- erson House, is offering itself to as a ground-zero initiative, for strategies to fortify our neigh- bors and neighborhoods, through connecting the gaps in commu- nication between companies, developers, non-profits, and our neighbors.” A fourth-generation north- east Portland native, Donovan attended nearby King School throughout his elementary years, before continuing his education at the renowned Oregon Epis- copal School for his middle and high school years. Located at Northeast 10th Avenue and Em- erson Street, Emerson House is centered exactly a block away from the childhood home of Smith’s mother. Since returning to Portland in 2012, after a brief stint at Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn., Smith 25, has emerged as a lead- ing voice in the fight against gentrification, and the arts. Already under his direction, the Emerson House has been accepted into Design Week Portland’s open house tours for April, and will be exhibiting the works of Julie Keefe, primary photographer for The Skanner, fresh off of her latest showing at the Oregon Historical Society. For more information, contact Donovan Smith at dmsmith106@ gmail.com or 503-756-6128.
