North Pole Studio, inspired by the Island of Misfit Toys from the 1964 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer stop-motion special, is hosting an exhibition titled tell ___ ‘hi’ from me.
This exhibition opened on July 3 at Portland State University’s Littman Gallery in celebration of Disability Pride Month and will run through August 28.
Carissa Burkett, the executive director of North Pole Studio, emphasizes the importance of art not just as a form of expression but also as a medium for communication.
“Art can be a way for people to communicate who either have limited or have more obstacles to communicating their inner world,” Burkett said.
The exhibition features work from a proud collective of neurodiverse artists, showcasing the histories and personal narratives of over 27 artists aged between 18 and 60.
The gallery opening on July 17 will allow patrons to meet some of these artists, further enriching the connection between the creators and the community.
Since its foundation during the pandemic in 2020, North Pole Studio has grown exponentially from 20 to 600 artists involved in various programs, generating approximately $63,000 for the artists’ personal income over the past year.
The studio, based primarily in the Portland metro area, includes artists from locations such as Hood River, Canby, and even Tennessee.
North Pole Studio offers a supportive environment for these artists, presenting them with professional development opportunities, gallery space, and a sense of community as they explore their creativity without restrictions.
Austin Brague is among the artists participating in this exhibition, known for his detailed drawings of urban landscapes.
His artwork, a depiction of an ‘80s era MAX car in Old Town Chinatown, has even been transformed into a bus wrap by TriMet for its LIFT Paratransit bus.
Another prominent artist, Ocean Stever, a Gresham-based member of the artist leadership committee, will showcase his mixed-media collage work.
Stever expressed his pride in the exhibition saying, “It’s honestly a culmination of everything I’ve worked for.
I’ve been here for years and this exhibition just shows how hard all of us have all worked to get here.
North Pole is my sanctuary, and I’m really happy others can get to experience it.”
Following its run at the Littman Gallery, tell ___ ‘hi’ from me will travel across the Pacific Northwest, showcasing at various locations including the A.N. Bush Gallery in Salem, Archer Gallery in Vancouver, Wash., and Scalehouse Gallery in Bend before concluding at Dee Dee Denton Gallery in Lake Oswego next fall.
Burkett hopes that the exhibition induces a ripple effect, opening more opportunities for neurodiverse artists.
“I personally am a huge advocate for helping ensure that there is better representation of neurodiverse artists within all galleries, museums, and opportunities, recognizing the unique challenges that this population faces,” she stated.
image source from：wweek
