Movements have always needed art.

Art shows our power – There’s a world of difference between fifty people showing up outside City Hall standing around shouting about something, and fifty people showing up all wearing the same color, singing songs and chanting in unison, having signs with a clear and immediately convincing message, and painting a sidewalk chalk mural that invites in passersby to join them. Well planned art and visual strategy shows our organizational capacity and therefore our power. That makes people want to join us, and decision-makers more likely to listen to us.

Art frames the narrative – Without art, the photo in the article says “Protest Draws Crowd”. With clever and strategic art, along with our own photographers capturing the perfect shot to give to the press, we can tell the story we want to tell: for example “Gov Brown Supports Fracked Gas Despite Massive Opposition”. Social change is at its core about telling the better story, and art lets us do that.

Art builds the movement – Art helps to make our movement inviting, and gives people of all ages and backgrounds a way to participate in meaningful climate action. It’s a place where people can come together to create, build community, and have fun.

The 350PDX Arts Team works to harness the power of art to do all of this and more.

Our Favorite Moments

• The Presidential Parade – a puppet show at the Our Children’s Trust lawsuit rally showing our previous 11 presidents who have known about the climate crisis and not taken sufficient action
• Sunflower umbrellas – we handpainted dozens and dozens of umbrellas that open out into the symbol for climate justice, the sunflower. Great for rainy Portland protests.
• The Methane Monster – a costumed creature that frequented the Jordan Cove pipeline public hearings

Our Team

• Core group of around 8 people, with many more who join for art builds and actions
• You do not need to be an artist to be a part of our team
• Skills like photography, videography, theater, and music are needed and welcome!

Contact Donna for more info – murph1949@aol.com