Portland Art Museum Exhibition Highlights Homelessness

Portland has a housing crisis. Rent increase or illness can lead a person to be one step away from homelessness. “One Step Away,” a new exhibit at the Portland Art Museum, is a focused look at the compound and growing issue of housing insecurity in the city. There will be a community opening from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Portland Art Museum at 1219 SW Park Ave. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit here.

Personal objects and individual testimonies make up the exhibition, and each is an account of lived experience with homelessness. “One Step Away” is a collaboration where participant storytellers directed development of the exhibition. Local social service agencies and artists defined the theme and nominated participants. Outside the Frame, an arts organization mentoring at-risk young people, created media for the exhibition.

“One Step Away” is also an opportunity for visitors to listen to the stories and become familiar with the support resources provided. Visitors are also encouraged to play a game called "Perspective," where like life, everyone begins with different resources, abilities, and privileges that inform our point of view.

The museum received creative support from Outside the Frame, Our Bold Voices, and Pixel Arts Game Education. Additionally, the museum would like to thank Penelope Cruz, local artist Cleo Davis, Street Roots, NW Pilot Project, Multnomah County Library, Portland Meet Portland, and Outside the Frame for their expertise during the community planning session for this exhibition.