Dear Friends,

As the year comes to a close, we wish you a season full of joy, reflection, and connection. On behalf of TEMPOart, we are grateful for your support in bringing public art to life here in Portland. Together, we’ve created opportunities for exploration, creativity, and community—none of which would be possible without you.

As we reflect on this past year, we are reminded just how transformative public art can be through our partnership with The Telling Room. At their Nature: Science, Art & Writing Camp, 16 young writers, ages 8-12, spent a week exploring Dancing for Joy (By the Will of the People), the monumental installation by The Myth Makers, Donna Dodson and Andy Moerlein. Guided by teaching artist Amy Kimball, the campers wove art, science, and creative writing into a dynamic experience—resulting in some extraordinary reflections, including the first chapter of a story written by young writer Laura, age 11. Laura’s writing can be read below!

Thank you for being part of our vibrant community. Your support brings art into public spaces, fuels learning experiences for all ages, and inspires joy throughout Portland.

Wishing you a season filled with creativity and hope,

Meg Adams, Board Chair
TEMPOart

Star Dance, chapter one

Laura,  age 11

A small ray of moonlight shown through the bars of a bird cage. Two parakeets sat in the cage looking at the stars. 

“Tell me that story again, Mom,” the young parakeet chirped.

“Okay, one more time,” her mother laughed. And she began:

“Once there was a bird. Not just any bird, but a beautiful silver peahen. She was glorious and immortal, but lonely. No one would hear her for her feathers glowed too bright. Eventually her loneliness became too strong and she began to float. The higher she floated, the more lonely she became, and eventually she rose so high that she became the moon. She was finally happy, but she thought the night sky needed more light so she made the parakeets. The parakeets were glorious and colorful in life, but when one died it would become a star, not gone, just brighter and higher. They are grateful for the moon’s light so they dance, swirling and twinkling, forever dancing through the cosmos.”

The little bird looked at her mom. 

“Now go to bed, Cascade, tomorrow’s a busy day.”