PORTLAND, ORE — The Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) will present “Painting BIG,” two hands-on mural painting workshops on Sunday, May 3 and Saturday, May 9. The May 3rd workshop will focus on using brushes, grids and projectors, while the May 9th workshop will cover spray paint, stencils and projection. Both workshops are from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Rosewood Initiative, 16126 SE Stark Avenue in Portland.

Local artists Robin Corbo and The Lost Cause will lead the workshops and share their knowledge, techniques and insights for creating large scale paintings. Each workshop costs $30, or individuals can sign up for both for $50. All painting materials will be provided. For more information, visit www.racc.org.   

Since 2005, the Public Art Murals Program, administered by the RACC, has provided matching funds for over fifty mural projects. Artists, curators, neighborhood associations, citizen-based groups, and private developers are eligible to apply. Guidelines and application forms can be downloaded at racc.org/public-art/mural-program.

In 2009, a second process for approving murals was implemented by the City: artists can obtain a $50 Original Art Mural Permit from the City of Portland without having their mural reviewed by RACC. No funding is available through this permitting process. Visit http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bds/50737  for more information.

Since the establishment of these programs, the city has seen a resurgence of murals around the city. These workshops provide an opportunity to learn practical skills to execute murals indoors and outdoors.

Robin Corbo painted her first mural in Portland for the Community Cycling Center on Alberta Street in 2006 with the assistance of nearly fifty volunteers.  Through her experience, she has learned “best practices” and “worst mistakes” and spoken to schools, organizations and individuals about ways to create murals. In 2011, she wrote “One Million Brush Strokes: The Making of a Mural,” the story behind the conception and creation of the Bark mural at SE 46th and Powell.

The Lost Cause loves to paint on things. Details and line work define his style which is riddled with hidden messages and patterns inspired by day to day life. Cartoons have also been an inspiration for his work and have influenced him since childhood.  Locally, his work can be seen at Music Millennium at 31st and Burnside.  He also has worked in cities throughout the U.S.

 

For more information, contact Peggy Kendellen, Public Art Manager, at 503.823.4196, pkendellen@racc.org.