Remembering as Resistance
Learn about a growing people-powered preservation movement in Portland, Oregon
Song weaver Tonya Abernathy at the annual Day of Remembrance (2023) by Vanport Mosaic/ Ben PuggaranaThe Vanport Mosaic
The power of art and community
In these times of dangerous historic amnesia, remembering is an act of resistance. Since 2014 our collective of memory-keepers, artists, historians, media-makers, and educators have amplified, honored and preserved silenced histories.
A Call For Memory Activism
We look back to move forward. Watch this short documentary for a taste of our community-led, art-infused, joy-filled work.
The Vanport Mosaic is a platform for memory activism. We amplify, honor, and preserve the many silenced histories that surround us, in order to understand our present and envision a future where we all belong.
Stories In Movement: Art-Infused Story Circles (2019) by Vanport Mosaic/ Emmalee McDonaldThe Vanport Mosaic
Community-based storytelling
Vanport descendants, historians, media makers, artists, educators, students, and neighbors have worked together for the past ten years. We co-created the most extensive collection of first-hand memories of life in Vanport, the devastating flood, and its aftermath.
Lost City, Living Memories: Vanport Through Voices of Its Residents - screening (2017) by Photography by Shawnte SimsThe Vanport Mosaic
Collecting oral histories
Our work honors the experience of traditionally underrepresented communities of color by surfacing, celebrating, and maintaining their cultural and historical memories.
REmember, REclaim, REPair, RE-imagine Our Collective Story: The Annual Vanport Mosaic Festival (2016) by Blue ChalkThe Vanport Mosaic
The Vanport Mosaic Festival
Every spring, Vanport Mosaic commemorates Oregon's Katrina-like disaster with exhibits, presentations, artistic tributes, a reunion/celebration of former Vanport residents, documentary screenings and oral history recordings, and tours.
"The Vanport Mosaic Festival is a highlight of Portland’s cultural calendar, blending history, culture, arts, and activism into a living and highly creative memorial."
Bob Hicks,Oregon Arts Watch
The 6th Vanport Mosaic Festival: Soul Restoration Project by Darrell Grant (2021) by Photo by Shawnte SimsThe Vanport Mosaic
History is now
Our collective work highlights the interconnectedness of past and present. We invite you to consider how the stories we choose to remember and honor inform our actions and attitudes today.
Pianist/composer Darrell Grant during his “Soul Restoration Project'', a laboratory to explore how art can activate and renew our civic space.
A Scene from Left Hook - The 3rd Vanport Mosaic Festival (2018) by Photo by Shawnte SimsThe Vanport Mosaic
Theater honoring communities experiences
We partner with local playwrights, designers, and performers from the communities whose stories we amplify and preserve. Together we transform lived experiences into impactful theatrical experiences.
A scene from "Left Hook, "a play about gentrification and community displacement in 1970’s Portland, set in an Albina boxing club.
History Is Now Activation in Downtown Portland (2021) by Photo by Laura Lo FortiThe Vanport Mosaic
Exhibits
We are a museum without walls. We offer pop-up displays, listening stations, and historical narrative artwork outside traditional venues.
Guided Tour of Historic Vanport - The 4th Vanport Mosaic Festival (2019) by Photo by Emmalee McDonaldThe Vanport Mosaic
Tours
Places are memory anchors. Join historians, activists, and those who remember first-hand to explore the visible and invisible histories surrounding us.
Black Panther Party History - Walking Tour in NE Portland (2018) by Photo by Emmalee McDonaldThe Vanport Mosaic
Power To The People
We tell stories with, not about Portland’s communities of color, particularly those with roots in Vanport and Albina. These areas of the city have been historically impacted by race-based displacement.
Kent Ford, founding member of the Portland Black Panthers, leading a tour and sharing personal memories of their revolutionary activism and community organizing.
Rose Planting Ceremony on the 70th Anniversary of the Vanport Flood (2018) by Producer: Emmalee McDonald. Executive Producer: Laura Lo FortiThe Vanport Mosaic
Honoring our communities' histories
On the 70th anniversary of the flood that destroyed Vanport City, the Vanport Mosaic honored the survivors with a moving ceremony at Peninsula Park in Portland, led by the Royal Rosarians.
