The city's newest public plaza is also one giant canvas. Photo: Courtesy of Greg Raisman/Portland Bureau of Transportation
Portland Art Museum's new car-free plaza on Southwest Madison Street opens this weekend and is anchored by an asphalt mural by British-Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori.
More than 400 volunteers helped paint the piece last month, which centers on a native swamp rose and incorporates imagery inspired by our city's rivers, bridges and surrounding mountains.
The plaza is the 25th public street plaza and will serve as an open-air extension of the museum — adding more pedestrian space to the heart of Portland's cultural district.
If you go: Saturday's ribbon-cutting celebration includes music and dance performances, an artist talk and free museum admission from 10am to 5pm.
