5th Wildwood Arts Fair brings local handmade art to Portland
With its role as a community center and located in Northwest Portland, Friendly House attracts a wide swath of the Portland, OR, populace within its doors. Every year Friendly House launches the holiday season with an art sale featuring handcrafted gifts and products made by local artists. All work available for sale is to be made by hand and not mass produced. In an effort to better weave together the communities at Cascadian Terrace Apartments with those across the Willamette River at Friendly House, EngAGE maintained a table for residents at the Wildwood Arts Fair.
Enthusiasm was contagious as residents talked excitedly about what sort of products they could offer; ultimately crocheted afghans, knitted children’s beanies, soaps, and candles were set up in a pleasing display. Art fair attendees were able to learn about the EngAGE programs and about the residents in personal ways that boosted confidence and pride in craftsmanship. Residents worked for over two months to generate work for the sale, which included everything from creating, marketing, and packaging the work for purchase. Discussions with the Cascadian Terrace EngAGE Program Manager about pricing and display techniques provided additional professional support to residents in the basics of the craft business. All in all, it was a wonderful and inspiring contribution to the Wildwood Arts Fair. Residents are already talking about what they’ll create next year!
Research demonstrates that participating in arts activities improves the health and quality of life of older people.
Program Manager: Sandra Oberdorfer
Date: December 1, 2018
Made possible with funding from Community Development Partners and in collaboration with Friendly House.
