Vanport Mosaic Announces Full Program for COMING HOME

A Week Of Exhibits, Tours, And Conversations Exploring Portland’s Old Town’s History And Reimagining Its Future

PORTLAND, OR — Vanport Mosaic has announced the full program for COMING HOME: Memory Activism in Portland’s Historic Old Town, a week-long event series from September 28 to October 5, 2024, honoring the community’s past and reimagining its future.This immersive event will feature exhibits, tours, and community conversations that bring to life the rich history of one of Portland’s oldest and culturally significant neighborhoods.

Vanport Mosaic is proud to collaborate with a number of cultural organizations to enrich the week’s programming, including the Hellenic-American Cultural Center and Museum, Japanese American Museum of Oregon, Lan Su Chinese Garden, Oregon Black Pioneers, Oregon Historical Society, Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, and Portland Chinatown Museum. These partners will offer educational tabling and collaborative activities throughout the week.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone for a transformative week of reflection, celebration, and community building as we pay tribute to the rich history and cultural legacy of this special place,” says Chisao Hata, Community Weaver and visionary behind COMING HOME.

THE FULL “COMING HOME” PROGRAM

COMING HOME: Memory Activism in Portland’s Old Town
WHEN: September 28 – October 5, 2024
WHERE: 220 Building, 220 NW 22nd Ave., Portland
Events are free. RSVP strongly encouraged
INFO/FULL PROGRAM: www.vanportmosaic.org

Saturday, September 28
11:00 am - 1:00 pm – GATHERING: From Nana To Now:
An intergenerational dialogue exploring the meaning of community.

Sunday, September 29
11:00 am - 1:00 pm – SPECIAL EXHIBIT: Snack and Stories
A culinary experiment in memory activation and time travel. Culinary creatives: Lynn Yarne, Jaclyn “Jack” Nakashima, Daphne Kauahi’ilani Jenkins / ’Ono Mau Goods, Laina Yoswein / Omija Home Bakes, Thuy Pham / Mama Dút, Joyce Chung / Goodies Snacks Shop

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
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm – WALKING TOUR: Downtown Black History — Led by Oregon Black Pioneers

Tuesday, October 1
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm – GATHERING: Meet the Artists— 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 - 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 — A creative visioning session with civic leaders and community catalysts. Among the guest speakers: Erica Naito-Campbell, Lynn Fuchigami, Elizabeth Nye/Lan Su Chinese Garden, Zachary Stocks/Oregon Black Pioneers.  RSVP required.

Saturday, October 5
11:00 am - 1:00 pm – CELEBRATION: Unity Circle for Humanity — A closing event featuring Portland Taiko, Süssefüsse International Folk Dance Troupe, Soul Restoration, 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

ONGOING: Monday to Friday, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

  • EXHIBITS: 

    • The Indelible Spirit: Artists in Situ, Revitalizing Old Town, curated by Roberta May Wong

    • History is Now: Vanport Mosaic Museum Without Walls

  • COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY ART PROJECTS:

    • Remember Us – A Living Memorial

    • Senninbari Inspired - Facilitated by mai ide and Sophia Xiao-fan Austrins

  • COMMUNITY AVENUE: Tabling by cultural and historical organizations

  • DISCOVERY ZONE: An all-ages activity area

  • COMMUNITY VOICES: A viewing station featuring a rotation of short videos

This week is presented by Vanport Mosaic as part of the inaugural National Week of Action for Race and Democracy, made possible by Race Forward and Americans for the Arts. Don’t miss this opportunity to honor and reconnect with one of Portland’s oldest and most historically significant neighborhoods. 

Events are free. RSVP is strongly encouraged and some events require registration. Visit vanportmosaic.org for details and to secure your spot. 

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Note to Journalists: Executive Director Laura Lo Forti and Community Weaver Chisao Hata are available for print, online, and broadcast interviews. If you would like more information on COMING HOME or would like to schedule an interview, please contact Liz Bacon Brownson at media@vanportmosaic.org or by calling 971-212-8034

Website:/vanportmosaic.org
Facebook: /vanportmosaic
Instagram:/vanportmosaic
Email: media@vanportmosaic.org

About Vanport Mosaic: Vanport Mosaic is a memory-activism platform dedicated to amplifying, honoring, and preserving silenced histories to understand our present and create a future where everyone belongs. The organization's core values include telling stories WITH, not ABOUT, communities. Vanport Mosaic has received numerous awards, including the Oregon Heritage Excellence Award, the Spirit of Portland Award, and recognition from the National Trust for Historic Preservation for using historical places as catalysts for a more just and equitable society. vanportmosaic.org 

More Information about Vanport Mosaic COMING HOME Partners can be found HERE.

More information about the CULTURAL WEEK OF ACTION can be found HERE.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 17, 2024

Vanport Mosaic