Vanport Mosaic invites you to this week of memory activism in Historic Old Town - one of Portland's oldest and most culturally significant neighborhoods.
As one of only 14 events nationwide to be invited to anchor the inaugural Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy, this area has been deeply shaped by historic racism and cultural erasure, and we're coming together to celebrate its history and resilience. We look forward to welcoming you.
Program At a Glance
All events will take place on the 6th floor of The 220 Building (220 NW 2nd Ave.) in historic Old Town.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
GATHERING — From Nana To Now: Remembering And Sharing Our Ancestral And Community Connections
A facilitated intergenerational and multicultural dialogue.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
SPECIAL EXHIBIT—STORY SNACKS: A Culinary Experiment in Memory Activation and Time Travel in Old Town Portland
Facilitated by Lynn Yarne.
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
LECTURE—What Causes Cultural Erasure in Old Town?
A talk by historian Dr. Raymond Douglas Chong, followed by a conversation with Chisao Hata and Jennifer Fang.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
GATHERING—Meet the Artists
An opportunity to engage with curator Roberta Wong and the artists behind "The Indelible Spirit" exhibit.
Wednesday, October 2
11:00 am - 11:45 am
WALKING TOUR—Historic Japantown & Japanese American Historical Plaza
Led by the Japanese American Museum of Oregon.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
FOUNDATIONS OF MEMORY: Practical Home Preservation Practices
Facilitated by Jeremy Seith, Japanese American Museum of Oregon
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
ROUNDTABLE—Reimagining Historic Old Town
Creative visioning with civic leaders and community catalysts: Gloria Lee/Portland Chinese American Citizens Alliance; Joyce Chung/Goodies Snack Shop; Elizabeth Nye/Lan Su Chinese Garden; Peggy Nagae/Minoru Yasui Tribute Project; Nicole Possert/ Restore Oregon; Sankar Raman/Immigrant Story; Zachary Stocks/Oregon Black Pioneers; and Erica Naito-Campbell.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
CELEBRATION—Unity Circle For Humanity
Closing event with Portland Taiko, Süssefüsse International Folk Dance Troupe, Dr. S. Renee Mitchell, Chisao Hata, and more!
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
WALKING TOUR—Historic Japantown & Japanese American Historical Plaza
Led by the Japanese American Museum of Oregon.
DAILY
MONDAY - FRIDAY | 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
EXHIBITS
The Indelible Spirit — Artists in Situ, Revitalizing Old Town — LEARN MORE
History is Now — Vanport Mosaic Museum Without Walls — LEARN MORE
COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY ART PROJECT
Remember Us — A Living Memorial
Senninbari: Threads of Resilience — Solidarity through collective knot making - Conceived by mai ide.; Co-facilitated by Sophia Xiao-fan Austrins — LEARN MORE
COMMUNITY AVENUE
Tabling and educational opportunities presented by our partners:
Hellenic-American Cultural Center and Museum
Japanese American Museum of Oregon
Lan Su Chinese Garden
Oregon Black Pioneers
Oregon Historical Society
Oregon Jewish Museum
Center for Holocaust Education
Portland Chinatown Museum.
DISCOVERY ZONE
An all-ages area for activities.
COmmunity voices
A viewing station with a rotation of short videos.