Pitch a Tent was held the day before the Historical Portland Rose Parade. This event, initiated in order to advocate for houseless folks is carefully planned to begin the day before the parade. The City of Portland allows Parade viewers to camp overnight on the parade route to claim their spots, but every other night it is illegal to camp on the streets. This event hopes to bring awareness to the struggles of people living on the streets, forced by police to move their belongings with them in the middle of the night while trying to sleep through the night. Right 2 Survive was the main organizer of the event providing resources, clothing and tents to people in attendance. There was food, speakers, music, and art all day and a campout throughout the night with tear-down at 8am the next morning. City Repair helped to facilitate a warm atmosphere and placemaking to the otherwise stark piece of property. We brought the T-Crab and offered free drinks, brought plants for decoration, posters and informational signs about the benefits and feasibility of houseless villages, and an interactive art piece.

I worked on an interactive art project for the event. We put out strips of fabric for people to write their intentions in relation to the houseless crisis. The piece utilized an empty planter (the tree had dies) that was previously going to be covered up to avoid a tripping hazard. Instead, we turned it into an art installation opportunity!