A Portland gallery opening that got us all excited about collective art projects

Skateboards and canvases that tell stories of uninhibited play and experimentation currently decorate the walls at Elle Gallery in Portland, Oregon where local artist Kirsten Karkanen presents the undeniably fun work she has made with her two young daughters, Rebel and Posie. I was delighted to be there for the opening party, drawing live portraits for guests alongside the DJ and tattoo artist who was doing flash tattoos of what looked like children’s drawings.

I found myself feeling deeply nostalgic for my childhood and teen years as I studied the artwork, finding elements that reminded me of past creative eras—stickers, googly eyes, lots of color, a little leopard print—and drawings for days, worlds on worlds of imagination brought to life.

A week before the event, I was sitting at an Italian restaurant that had paper and crayons on the table, and I envisioned a giant tabletop where I could invite my friends to make one big canvas together. When I got to the gallery I could hardly believe my eyes. Here by total coincidence, or more likely magic, was a whole wall that would become our collective mural, along with a bin of writing utensils and a sign that said" “Go for it.”

As the party settled down and guests trickled out, Kirsten and I marveled at the wall, pointing out the notes and drawings that stood out to us. To this day, we are still drawing those classic Stussy S’s that we scribbled on our notebooks in school.

For the rest of April 2025 you can check out the exhibition for yourself at Elle Gallery downtown Portland. Perhaps you’ll revisit your creative childhood and get inspired.