Amirah Chatman stood in awe as she walked into the newly renovated Albina Library on Saturday, taking in the vibrant mural that boldly adorned the community room’s wall.
The mural, a reinterpretation of her original work, is a dazzling display of pastel colors swirling in textured patterns across 600 square feet.
Having initially conceived the design just a few feet wide, Saturday marked the first time she beheld it on such a grand scale.
Accompanied by her fiancé, Daniel Coggins, she exclaimed, “How beautiful. This is crazy.”
The mural is just one part of the artistic reinvigoration of the library, which also features a striking mural by Portland-based artist Daren Todd on a two-story high wall in the courtyard.
The reopening on Saturday gave the public its first chance to explore the library since renovations began in March 2023, following a $55 million investment.
The revamped Albina Library now boasts two stories, 30,000 square feet of space, multiple community rooms, a courtyard, and a dedicated technology room, all punctuated by a wealth of artwork.
Liz Sauer, communications manager for the Multnomah County Library and a member of the artist selection panel, highlighted the collaboration with the Regional Arts and Culture Council to ensure that local artists whose work represents the community were showcased.
The Albina district, historically a thriving hub for Black-owned businesses and homes, faced significant challenges from urban development projects that displaced numerous residents in the post-war era.
In recent years, efforts have been made by residents, community organizations, and government agencies to revitalize the area and host events that honor its rich history.
Todd’s mural intricately weaves these historical narratives, as he explained.
“I was really looking at (creating) a history and a cross-section of the Albina neighborhood and thinking about some symbols of things that people would recognize,” he said.
The mural encapsulates an archive of colors and symbols representing the community, a process that involved conducting interviews with Albina residents to inform the design.
The artwork required over 50 gallons of paint, incorporating shapes that evoke local plants and leaves, symbolizing growth and a connection to the land.
Significantly, the mural doesn’t shy away from darker aspects of the area’s history.
For instance, a river-shaped pattern represents the devastating Vanport Flood, and an abstract road alludes to the displacement caused by the development of Interstate 5 in the 1950s.
In an unexpected twist within the colorful design, a square window of black and white stands out in the center.
“I was hoping that I would kind of convey a portal or a window where people could look from a place of black and white, (without) a lot of possibility,” Todd explained.
This element reflects a contrast between a limited perspective and a vibrant world filled with potential, representing hope and a vision for a brighter future.
Conversely, Chatman’s mural showcases her distinctive style of swirling colors and textures, emphasizing the abstract representation of nature.
“I’m big into clouds and space and weather and interpreting emotion and thought through weather phenomena,” she shared.
Having moved to Portland from Phoenix in 2020, she describes her work as a merging of personal experiences and natural imagery.
Chatman took pride in the incorporation of personal elements into her mural, noting that fingerprints and even cat hairs from her feline companion, Panda, are embedded in the original piece.
The original artwork will also be displayed inside the library for patrons to enjoy.
“I feel like traditionally …fine art tends to be in spaces that aren’t as accessible to many audiences,” she remarked.
Chatman aims for art to be presented in environments where everyone can appreciate it, emphasizing her hope that children see such creations and recognize their own potential to create.
This reopening of the Albina Library is not just about a public space; it represents a revival of community, heritage, and hope, as local artists infuse their works with elements meaningful to the people of Albina.
Both murals, while stylistically distinct, serve as a celebration of the multifaceted identity of the Albina neighborhood, inviting the community to engage with its past and dream of its future.
image source from：oregonlive
