Concordia Neighborhood Association | Portland, Oregon

Category Archives: Arts & Culture

Last Thursday: An Open Forum

Posted on by Posted in Archive, Arts & Culture, Events, Land Use & Transportation, Local Businesses, Volunteer Opportunities

Team Last Thursday, a newly formed nonprofit, is committed to making Last Thursday an event everyone can enjoy. Join your friends and neighbors at an open forum to discuss:

  • Our Plan for 2009
  • Updates on Traffic, Trash & Alcohol
  • New Noise/Amplified Music Policy
    [Our new policy prohibits amplified music that can be heard
    100 feet beyond its source. We have applied for a noise variance,
    which will give us the authority to enforce the policy.]

Join Us:
Tuesday, July 21, 2009, 6:30PM
Acadian Ballroom
1829 NE Alberta St.
Portland, OR.

For more information on Last Thursday go to: http://lastthursdaypdx.ning.com/

Concordia University Unveils Community Mural and Opens Bookstore to Community

Posted on by Posted in Arts & Culture, Concordia News

On Saturday, August 23, Concordia University unveiled a community mural on the side of the building at NE Ainsworth and NE 30th Streets in Portland, Oregon. The unveiling also marks the grand opening of the new location of the university’s bookstore, “The Bookmark” at that same location.

The mural was created by Concordia University students under the direction of Larry Gross, chair of the art department and Greg Lewis, of Greg Lewis Studios and current adjunct faculty member in the art department. The students were supported in their work by community leaders Ken and Marta Thrasher, who donated the necessary funds to make the mural a reality, and the Regional Arts & Culture Council, which was involved through their public art group.

The mural, which took 18 months from conception to finality, was painted by six Concordia University students over 5 weekends. The mural was intended to communicate integrity and community and to accentuate Concordia University’s expanding outreach into the north and northeast neighborhoods. The location of the mural, where the campus meets the community is a “perfect fit.”

“The mural is symbolic of Concordia University’s relationship with the community and how powerful that relationship can be when the campus and the community come together to embrace their respective cultures and values,” said Concordia Executive Vice President, Gary Withers.

Collaborate to Create a Safe and Sane Last Thursday Event

Posted on by Posted in Arts & Culture, Events

By Eve Connell

Each month, people – thousands in the summer – flock to our neighborhood to join in what has become one of the most popular events in Portland: Last Thursday Art Walk on Alberta Street. The informal arts-related festival began with just a few businesses and artists in 1997, and has expanded to reach not only the entire stretch of businesses on Alberta (roughly 20 blocks), but entices street vendors, performers, and other organic attractions to participate as well. Galleries, studios, restaurants, and other art venues on Alberta Street open their doors for a celebratory evening of art, usually from 5 to 9:30 P.M. Street vendors and performers (and enthusiastic participant-observers), usually stay much later (again, primarily in the summer months).

People in our neighborhood seem to have a love-hate relationship with this event. Many look forward to the night of festivity and fun, while others dread trying to make it home on time to secure their street parking.

The positive elements of this event include some peaks in business, attention to the Alberta Arts District, a general focus on art, and a night of casual fun for all.

However, negative elements do exist, and are not limited to the obvious: lack of parking, excess trash and noise, and rowdy visitors to the neighborhood. More serious issues include safety (e.g., excessive and potentially dangerous traffic, public drunkenness) and event exclusivity (e.g., longtime neighborhood residents do not feel welcome to participate).

Some people took it upon themselves this summer to monitor the event on their own – one robust yet informal group even attempted unofficial street closure in June, which illustrates further that Last Thursday is reaching a tipping point.

Open discussion began a few weeks ago to address the issues that top the list of concerns. The City of Portland has been fabulously cooperative with business owners, street vendors, and the public. Because there’s nothing official about Last Thursday, the City could choose to shut it down, but they choose to cooperate with neighbors, business owners, vendors, and other participants. With swelling crowds this summer (July’s Last Thursday event brought over 8000 people — and 75+ open container warnings as well as eight tickets for the same offense), just how to proceed is being discussed with City officials from Sam Adams’ office, the Office of Neighborhood Involvement, the Police, Alberta Business Association, Art On Alberta, and concerned neighbors, both for and against the event.

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