Neighborhood Notes

Children's Healing Art Project is excited to announce the opening of CHAP Holiday Bizarre, our 27-day art-making factory, retail shop and gallery in the newest architectural landmark in Portland, the 937 building. 937 condominiums is a 16-story tower located in the heart of the much-acclaimed Pearl District at 937 NW Glisan. The innovate fractal structure of the 937, designed by Holst Architects, surrounds the spiritual elegance of the interior spaces, designed by Ankrom Moisan, and has been generously donated to CHAP for our Holiday Bizarre by Patrick Kessi and Geoff Wenker of the 937 Group.

CHAP Holiday Bizarre, open November 28 thru December 24, brings the art our non-profit helps create in local hospitals back to the public in ways that allow each child to be seen for their artistic talents rather than for their disease, diagnosis or disability. CHAP Holiday Bizarre is "Recession Retail" at its best with art and clothing bargains starting at $1. Holiday Bizarre will feature ongoing art activities with CHAP's young artists, families, teaching artists, board, and community volunteers mixing with the children and families of Portland.

CHAP's Holiday Bizarre invites the public to come MAKE gifts, holiday ornaments, tree toppers and gift wrap, or stencil on the thousands of garments donated by Columbia Sportswear. Come see our line of handmade rugs made from CHAP children's art. In our art factory, you can create wearable art out of old clothes, "artify" your wardrobe with silk-screened images drawn by CHAP kids, stencil a hoodie or paint tire tracks on jeans. Make your own gift-wrap by dancing with painted feet on yards of butcher paper, help your children make holiday ornaments for your office staff or take a landscape painting class from Teresa and learn how to paint with your feet! CHAP art kits are available for $1 and up, custom stencil a T-shirt for $5, bead a tree garland for $10, buy a winter coat from Columbia Sportswear for $30. NW Professional Dance Project will lead "Cracked Nutz," our 8-minute version of "The Nutcracker" danced by children of all abilities and students from the Washington School for the Blind. Experience the healing power of art first hand at CHAP's Holiday Bizarre.

All proceeds benefit (CHAP) art programs in Portland's Children's Hospitals: Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Shriners Hospital for Children, Legacy Emanuel Children's Hospital. Children's Healing Art Project brings the healing power of art to children in crisis and their families with a mobile team of teaching artists working in Portland's children's hospitals. In 2008, CHAP will serve 10,000 children in crisis in their families.

Speaking of 937...

Read the recent feature story "The Fractal Factor" in The O's New Homes Monthly. Download part 1 and part 2.