RACC Press Releases

Artwork by Mary Josephson

The Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center presents an exhibition of artworks by four Portland artists – Jason Greene, Mary Josephson, Cynthia Lahti, Henk Pander – inspired by and created while spending the past year as artists-in-residence with Portland Fire & Rescue as part of the Regional Arts & Culture Council’s intersections, a public art residency program administered through its public art program. The exhibition had originally been shown at the Portland Fire & Rescue Headquarters in April. It has been on view at IFCC since early September and will continue until October 27th. A reception for the artists will be held Thursday, September 29 5:30 - 7:30 pm at IFCC, 5340 N. Interstate Avenue. Both artists and firefighters will attend, including Battalion Chief Duane Bray who was one of the selection panelists for the artists. Other events during the exhibition will include the presentation of a play by Anne Nelson, The Guys (October 13-30) and a gallery talk with the artists and firefighters on Tuesday, October 25th.

The original intention for this project was to purchase existing artworks for each eligible fire station. However, following visits to individual stations and conversations with station captains and firefighters, the plan was altered so that artists would be given the opportunity to spend time in several stations, learning about their daily operations, activities and responsibilities. The artists would then create new works specific to their experiences.

In 2004, each artist began spending time with their assigned stations (5-6). Over the course of a year, their impressions were recorded in their artworks and, in some cases, sketchbooks or diaries. The residencies provided artists the opportunity to become involved in the culture of the Fire Bureau and to produce artworks in response to their experiences. Each artist went on ride-alongs to fire or emergency calls and shared meals, experiences and ideas with the firefighters at their assigned stations.

The selection panel was Battalion Chief Duane Bray, artists Christine Clark and Deborah Horrell, curator Prudence Roberts, and Dick Ragland from the City’s Bureau of General Services. The project was funded by percent for art funds generated from a General Obligation Bond that financed the remodeling of 23 existing stations and construction of eight new stations.

The mission of the Fire Bureau is to promote a safe environment for all protected areas, respond to fire, medical and other emergencies and provide related services to benefit the public.

intersections, a public art residency program, explores the convergence of the "art of work" and the "work of art" by having artists work directly with city or county resources, staff and clients. The program encourages artist to develop socially engaging art experiences in community settings.

Fire Stations participating in the residency program:

Station 2, 4800 NE 122nd
Station 3, 1715 NW Johnson
Station 4, 511 SW College
Station 5, 1505 SW DeWitt
Station 8, 7134 N. Maryland
Station 10, 451 SW Taylors Ferry Rd.
Station 11, 5707 SE 92nd
Station 13, 926 NE Weidler
Station 14, 1905 NE Killingsworth
Station 15, 1920 SW Spring
Station 17, 848 N. Tomahawk
Station 19, 7301 N. Burnside
Station 20, 2325 SE Bybee
Station 22, 7205 N. Alta
Station 23, 2915 SE 13th Place
Station 24, 4515 N. Maryland
Station 25, 5211 SE Mall
Station 26, 5247 N. Lombard
Station 41, 1500 SE 122nd
Station 42, 13310 SE Foster Rd.
Station 43, 13313 NE San Rafael

For photos of artwork contact Mary Bauer: mbauer@racc.org.

Through vision, leadership and service the Regional Arts & Culture Council works to integrate arts and culture in all aspects of community life.
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