As we unveil this edition of the Artslandia Annual magazine, I am struck by the resilience and transformative power of the arts in Portland. This Revival Issue is a testament to that power and a celebration of the progress made in emerging from the shadows of the COVID-19 pandemic. May it guide us through our city’s best arts season yet.
Our cover story, Resilience & Revival: Portland’s Arts Scene Through the Eyes of Seven Icons, captures this essence. These luminaries represent the diverse artistic disciplines that enrich our community. They remind us that our arts aren’t making a comeback—they’ve been here all along, offering solace and hope through the darkness while adapting and evolving to lead us to a brighter future. These iconic artists are not just the faces of this year’s Annual but the pillars of a community poised for rebirth and renewal. I offer them my profound thanks for their transparency, authenticity, and unwavering commitment.
Inside these pages, you’ll also find our guide to the upcoming performing arts season. From milestone anniversaries to exciting new productions, there’s something for every arts lover. Check out Claire Willett’s culinary journey
inspired by this season’s productions in A Culinary Overture and Elspeth Sweatman’s run-down of world-class performers coming to Portland in The Unmissable. For a whimsical twist, behold Fantasy Christmas Carol: A Portland Dream Cast and Ask Lance the Usher.
I urge you to explore the wealth of performances and exhibitions detailed in this issue. And since even we can’t fit all of Portland’s arts into one magazine, I invite you to enjoy all that is here and then go further. Find, experience, and perhaps even create! Your role in the arts community is vital. The dynamic interaction of packed performance halls, bustling bars before shows, lively restaurants afterward, and thriving shops as patrons flow in and out is immensely significant. Making arts experiences accessible to all, ensuring beauty and profound expressions of humanity reach every corner of our community, is a collective effort. Arts are not the only answer to the challenges our city faces, but they are unquestionably part of the solution.
Thank you for your continued support. Together, let’s keep the curtains raised and the lights shining bright on the stages and spaces that inspire us all.
