Polka Dot Courthouse Square, the socially distanced art installation designed by Bill Will, has been host to over 50 pop-up performances featuring more than 30 local artists and art groups. Throughout the summer, the Polka Dots have seen everything from drummers and opera singers to tap dancers and urban sketching groups. Performances have been provided by some of Portland’s most iconic art institutions as well as new and unique art performance groups. These pop-up performances have been documented through video and photography to be shared virtually on our website and social channels on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. In total, over the last 6 weeks this new community-based approach to virtual programming has reached more than 250,000 people. This installation reach has extended with the support of KGW, Alpha Media and The Oregonian|Oregon Live to 4 million people.
Bringing Polka Dot Courthouse Square to life in the heart of downtown has been made possible through the support and generosity of so many friends and neighbors of the Square. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to 200 Market Building, Melvin Mark, Downtown Development Group, Ferguson Wellman, Moda Health, Oregon State University Foundation, Meier Family Partnership, Oregon Community Foundation Fred W. Fields Fund, Consult: Ron Stewart, Downtown Portland Clean and Safe, and Portland Mall Management Inc.
In the weeks ahead we look forward to performances by BodyVox, A-WOL Dance Collective, Classical Revolution, Oregon Symphony, and many more. We are also excited to announce that the Polka Dot installation will continue Downtown in the months ahead by bringing holiday pop-up performances to multiple locations to brighten up the heart of downtown through the holiday season.
To stay up to date on all of the Polka Dot Courthouse Square news and pop-up performances follow along on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. You can view past performances and highlights at thesquarepdx.org.
