The DIY Portland Street Art Crawl: A Visual Orgasm
November 1, 2018
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One of my favorite things to do in cities around the world is to wander around and find cool street art. When I visited Portland in June to visit a friend, I knew I wanted to explore the city’s massive art scene. I navigated, wandered, and mapped out some of the city’s best street artworks for you. So hop on a Biketown bike and get going on your Portland street art crawl. Or, tie your shoelaces and make it an urban hike.
Where possible, I’ve tried to identify the names of the artist and the piece, as well as its exact location. Each photo is tagged with a number, and a map of all this wonderful Portland street art is at the end!
Downtown Portland Street Art
Start in downtown Portland near the famous and independent Powell’s City of Books. At SW Washington St. between SW 11th and SW 12th Ave., you’ll find our first stop: “Capax Infiniti (Holding the Infinite)” by Faith47.
#1
Around the block, another woman rises high on the walls. She, unlike her compatriot, faces us.
#2 – I have no idea if she has a name because Google reverse image search told me it is a “wall.” K, thanks.
Ride through downtown, and at NW 4th Ave. and Everett, you’ll find “Black Pepper,” a collaboration between Caratoes and Smithe.
#3
For your last downtown stop before crossing over to the other side of Portland, leave behind these artistic renditions and stop by the iconic, if less artistic, Keep Portland Weird sign.
#4 – The famous Voodoo Doughnut is just across the street!
Then head down the main stretch of W. Burnside and cross the Burnside Bridge. I know this isn’t street art, but don’t forget to stop for a sec and turn your head around for the Portland, Oregon sign.
#5
Southeast Portland street art
As you cross to the other side of the city, you’ll continue to see artistic touches everywhere. Even office buildings are wrapped in delicious murals. This one has been named “The Fair Haired Dumbbell.” It was designed by James Jean and is located at 11 Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
#6
Take a slight detour and swing over to NE 8th Ave. at the corner of NE Couch St., where you’ll find two untitled pieces side by side. The deer is by Camille Rose Garcia, the girl by Peach Momoko.
#7 and #8
Next, the first of the many #botjoy murals in Portland. The one on the left is the Questions for Humans: Dreams Wall located on SE Salmon St. near the intersection at SE 10th Ave. The one on the right is the Joy Wall at 1205 SE Stark Ave.
This art crawl doesn’t go there, but FYI on the location of the other two parts of this series. The Relationship Wall and the Curiosity Wall, are at 3050 SE Division St. and at the intersection of SE 11th Ave. and SE Ash St., respectively.
Continue west on SE Stark St to the most prolific blocks for Portland street art. Within the four corners between SE Oak St. and SE Stark St. to the north and south and SE 10th Ave. and SE 11th Ave. to the west and east are all of these pieces and more.
Next, go south. Near the intersection of SE 14th St. and SE Morrison are an untitled piece by Laura Berger that I’ve dubbed “Curvy Bodies” and “Cycles of X” by Shawna X.
Around the corner from them is perhaps one of the few Portland murals I knew of before visiting the city. This rhino is by Portland local Josh Keyes.
#21
Head south once more toward Oregon Brass Works for some additional animal-inspired street art. Around 10th and Taylor, you’ll find these gorgeous murals facing either other.
#22
#23
Then go west toward the Lucky Labrador Brewery on SE Hawthorne Blvd. Right across the street is the Hawthorne Arrows by Blaine Fontana.
#24
Hold tight, we’re almost done. Ride north back toward SE Stark St. and SE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., where this mural awaits you. Last but not least, down SE Stark just before you hit SE 2nd Ave. are these Hellenistic vases.
Other Portland street art
That was just a sampling of Portland’s fantastic selection of street art. I focused on downtown because most people are likely to visit downtown Portland at some point. And I chose southeast Portland since that area has the highest concentration of street art in the city.Here’s a sprinkling of art from elsewhere in the city. Make sure to ride around and find some others as well!
And here’s the promised map of all the places in this Portland street art crawl. Keep in mind that the locations are estimates in some cases.
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11 thoughts on “The DIY Portland Street Art Crawl: A Visual Orgasm”
We love discovering new street art, as well. It doesn’t surprise me that Portland has some great street art, since in my head they’re really arty. Regardless, there are some awesome pieces here. I think my favourites are the fox and the green smiley face. Oh, and the rhino and- you know what, I like all of them! This is a great guide, as well, for a DIY guide! Saving for if we ever make it to Portland 🙂
Thanks! Hope it’s helpful when you get to go!
I love discovering street art in new cities! This is so thorough, thank you for sharing a map of the locations!
I love wandering the streets in search of street art too. I never knew Portland had such prolific artworks – would love to get there and see for myself. Your walking guide seems really easy to follow and shows many different styles of street art. Thanks for sharing!
Hope this guide is useful whenever you visit!
I love street art! I love the imagination and creativity the artists put into it. Hunting for street art is a great (and cheap!) way to explore a city and see areas you might not have wandered otherwise. Great guide!
I totally agree! It’s a great way to get to places that aren’t the tourist hotspots
Omg, Portlander here haha. It’s so wild seeing these on this post when I casually walk by them every day! I’m going to have to take a closer look next time! Glad you enjoyed my city!!
I did! This bike ride was a nice way to get rid of all the calories from all the beer and donuts I had, ha!
Great street art. I love wandering and discovering street art. We did DIY street art tour in Austin TX on electric scooters.
We love discovering new street art, as well. It doesn’t surprise me that Portland has some great street art, since in my head they’re really arty. Regardless, there are some awesome pieces here. I think my favourites are the fox and the green smiley face. Oh, and the rhino and- you know what, I like all of them! This is a great guide, as well, for a DIY guide! Saving for if we ever make it to Portland 🙂
Thanks! Hope it’s helpful when you get to go!
I love discovering street art in new cities! This is so thorough, thank you for sharing a map of the locations!
I love wandering the streets in search of street art too. I never knew Portland had such prolific artworks – would love to get there and see for myself. Your walking guide seems really easy to follow and shows many different styles of street art. Thanks for sharing!
Hope this guide is useful whenever you visit!
I love street art! I love the imagination and creativity the artists put into it. Hunting for street art is a great (and cheap!) way to explore a city and see areas you might not have wandered otherwise. Great guide!
I totally agree! It’s a great way to get to places that aren’t the tourist hotspots
Omg, Portlander here haha. It’s so wild seeing these on this post when I casually walk by them every day! I’m going to have to take a closer look next time! Glad you enjoyed my city!!
I did! This bike ride was a nice way to get rid of all the calories from all the beer and donuts I had, ha!
Great street art. I love wandering and discovering street art. We did DIY street art tour in Austin TX on electric scooters.
Austin definitely has some fun street art too!