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PNCA students’ Panel Project joins the Pearl District’s efforts to protect windows and inspire hope

by Marketing & Communications,
PNCA’s Panel Project, artwork to protect joy and windows in Portland

When Oregon Governor Kate Brown issued her stay-at-home order on March 23, PNCA joined many other organizations and businesses in transitioning out of physical spaces and into to virtual environments at home. As a result, tons of windows throughout the Pearl District that PNCA calls home were soon boarded up, and it became difficult to walk through the neighborhood and not experience an eerie, ominous vibe.

It didn’t take long for local businesses and organizations to recognize the need to brighten up the area, including PNCA, and soon an effort was underway to paint window coverings throughout the neighborhood with friendly messages and designs.

This led to the creation of PNCA’s Panel Project, a student-led effort to protect the windows of the Harold and Arlene Schnitzer Center for Art and Design until students, faculty and staff are able to return to campus.

PNCA’s Office of Student Life jumped in to organize the project. Since they had maintained relationships with students throughout the transition to online learning, they were able to quickly identify student leaders to get the project going and inspire additional students to participate.

Following weeks of organizing and painting, students at PNCA launched the first phase of the Panel Project in mid-May, with the help of our wonderful facilities team and support from Blick Art Materials Portland. Now, after three phases of installations, imaginative and colorful messages of hope wrap around three side of our building, brightening the surrounding neighborhood in the process.

In addition to protecting our campus and inspiring the community, the project served as a wonderful alternative canvas for our students to express themselves during a challenging time, and we’re thrilled to share their vision.

  • Al Slydel artwork for the PNCA Panel Project in Portland, OR
    Al Slydel
  • Aude Li Sing artwork for the PNCA Panel Project in Portland, OR
    Aude Li Sing
  • Cydni Carter artwork for the PNCA Panel Project in Portland, OR
    Cydni Carter
  • Delia Kerr Dennhardt artwork for the PNCA Panel Project in Portland, OR
    Delia Kerr Dennhardt
  • Emmi Stonier artwork for the PNCA Panel Project in Portland, OR
    Emmi Stonier
  • Jose Garcia And Kas Rosenthal Collab artwork for the PNCA Panel Project in Portland, OR
    Jose Garcia And Kas Rosenthal Collab
  • Jose Garcia And Kas Rosenthal Collab artwork for the PNCA Panel Project in Portland, OR
    Jose Garcia And Kas Rosenthal Collab
  • Jose Garcia And Kas Rosenthal Collab artwork for the PNCA Panel Project in Portland, OR
    Jose Garcia And Kas Rosenthal Collab
  • Joseph Rodriguez artwork for the PNCA Panel Project in Portland, OR
    Joseph Rodriguez
  • Justin Moore artwork for the PNCA Panel Project in Portland, OR
    Justin Moore
  • Kas Rosenthal and Kazi Jemiola artwork for the PNCA Panel Project in Portland, OR
    Kas Rosenthal Left, Kazi Jemiola Right
  • Katherine Andersen
    Katherine Andersen
  • Kazi Jemiola
    Kazi Jemiola
  • Jose Garcia and Kazi Jemiola artwork for the PNCA Panel Project in Portland, OR
    Kazi Jemiola Left and Jose Garcia Right
  • Kazi Jemiola artwork for the PNCA Panel Project in Portland, OR
    Kazi Jemiola
  • Limei Lai artwork for the PNCA Panel Project in Portland, OR
    Limei Lai
  • Limei Lai artwork for the PNCA Panel Project in Portland, OR
    Limei Lai
  • Linnea Stahura And Puili Villanueva artwork for the PNCA Panel Project in Portland, OR
    Linnea Stahura Left and Puili Villanueva Right
  • Luka Hogson artwork for the PNCA Panel Project in Portland, OR
    Luka Hogson
  • Megan Wood artwork for the PNCA Panel Project in Portland, OR
    Megan Wood
  • Noah Beckham artwork for the PNCA Panel Project in Portland, OR
    Noah Beckham Right
  • Noah Beckham artwork for the PNCA Panel Project in Portland, OR
    Noah Beckham
  • Rich Van Gogh artwork for the PNCA Panel Project in Portland, OR
    Rich Van Gogh
  • Sam Hutt artwork for the PNCA Panel Project in Portland, OR
    Sam Hutt
  • Stevie Hale artwork for the PNCA Panel Project in Portland, OR
    Stevie Hale
  • Unknown Student artwork for the PNCA Panel Project in Portland, OR
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