December 23, 2020
Page 2
Empowering Life with Art
Annabelle Araya, a first generation African American artist from Portland, reflects on the African Diaspora in
her paintings.
A first generation African Amer-
ican artist from Portland is getting
some deserved recognition for her
paintings, works that uplift, empow-
er and identify the state of our com-
munity.
Annabelle Araya was born in Er-
itrea and immigrated to Portland un-
der a refuge program. Her work has
been selected for display in 2021 at
the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
at Portland State University.
Araya is one of 20 Black Lives
Matter artists the museum recently an-
nounced it was supporting by award-
ing them each a $2,500 grant to use
Record Homeless Deaths
The
A new report shows that 113 people
died in 2019 while lacking perma-
nent housing in Multnomah County,
an increase mainly due to an increase
in people experiencing homelessness,
more than in any previous year studied.
Innocent Killed in Gang Crossfire
Authorities said
a Portland wom-
an who was not
the intended tar-
get was killed
in a gang-relat-
ed shooting last
Thursday
near
North Vancouver
Avenue and Stan-
ton Street. Kelly
Marie Smith, 53,
was making de-
liveries as a food
service contrac-
tor with her husband, when she was hit
by crossfire bullets, police said. Her
husband survived the attack.
Mistakenly Shot Uber Driver Dies
An Uber driver who police believe was
shot in a gang-style ambush that was
their voice, experience and artistic
expressions to reflect on social justice
efforts in response to systemic racism.
“I want to keep hope alive through
my art, to transition the state of mind
of self awareness,” Araya said. Her
artistic medium reflects on the Di-
aspora of Africans to the Americas,
in
Week Review
a case of mistak-
en identity, died
from his injuries
last week. The
local
resident,
Dhulfiqar Mseer,
an
immigrant
from Iraq, was
about to pick up a
fare around mid-
night on Dec. 12
in the Woodlawn
neighborhood
when he was shot multiple times while
behind the wheel of his white Honda
Accord, authorities said .
during an armed robbery on Dec. 14
at Cured Green on North Lombard and
Washburne Avenue. The victim was
identified as Michael Arthur, 44.
Dispensary Worker Killed in Burglary
First COVID-19 Vaccinations
Crime Stoppers of-
fered a $2,500 re-
ward last week for
information lead-
ing to the arrest
of a gunman who
shot a marijuana
dispensary worker
COVID-19 immunizations began last
week, kicking off a statewide effort
that could see thousands of health care
workers getting first doses. Officials
expect to vaccinate more than 100,000
health care workers and long term care
facility residents by the end of the
month.
past to present.
“I touch past and present and con-
vey the fluidity of the joys, sorrows,
trials, tribulations and aspirations of
my people. If you take note, I go from
childhood to the natural progression
to the elders. A very traditional Afri-
can transition. We honor our elders.”
Death Blamed on Tent Candle
One person died last Wednesday
when their tent caught fire along the
I-405 on-ramp to the Fremont Bridge,
according to Portland Fire & Rescue.
The victim and another adult were
sleeping when at some point, a candle
used for warmth was knocked over
and rapidly consumed the tent and its
contents, officials said.
BLM Sign Draws Fine by City
Portland has fined a business owner
$292 for displaying a Black Lives
Matter sign (wweek photo above)
that violates the city’s sign code.
Someone didn’t like the 42-foot long
banner on Columbia Boulevard near
the intersection with I-5 and filed a
complaint, officials said.