Horsey! Grassroots Public Art Connects People, Past, and Present

Never underestimate the power of whimsy in the built environment. A genuine and unconditional spirit of welcome and inclusion can be found in the most unexpected forms of participatory art.

1 minute read

August 18, 2016, 1:00 PM PDT

By Hazel Borys


Horse Toy

A fun example of the Portland Horse Project. | piddix / Flickr

"There’s nothing new about the subject of today’s post. In fact, that’s kind of the point. It’s an ongoing grassroots public art initiative that simply exists, and has for quite some time. Many have had the pleasure of experiencing it but many others have not."

"That’s the nature of artistic cultural expression. It happens but it’s not a happening. It lingers and evolves in place, existing over time for serendipitous discovery and contribution by others. Like me."

Scott Doyon talks about the Portland Horse Project to examine how "a major impediment to community building is our frequent unwillingness to accept and contend with the reality of others." And how art can help.

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