We Design Opening Reception Recap

February 13, 2020

By Joni Young

On February 13, 2020, we welcomed the public to the official opening of our first ever permanently on-view exhibition, We Design: People. Practice. Progress. at Clay Creative, Killian Pacific’s recently-completed new development in inner Southeast Portland. This project exemplifies different creative paths and professions; from graffiti artists and architects to civic designers and research scientists, We Design addresses the need for more diversity in the design and innovation fields, and highlights the importance of equity and inclusion in terms of generating ideas.

By creating a mobile, modular exhibition and partnering with local organizations and venues, we’re now able to have the display available at all times while upholding our value of accessibility.

The opening reception kicked things off with a celebration inclusive of Design Museum friends and board members, press, featured designers, and some unbeatable Peruvian tacos from Kichana. Chef and owner Christian (Chino) Perez served up mussels and blue corn street tacos, all made with fresh and local ingredients.

Chino Perez, Kichana Peruvian Fusion Cuisine

Our VIP hour filled the space with conversation and allowed guests to go a step beyond reading about each creative’s unique story to talk to the designers themselves. 

After getting familiar with the people and space, Design Museum Portland’s Managing Director, Erica Rife, thanked all of the designers for their contributions and for sharing their incredible stories, looking ahead to what We Design offers as a platform for individual journeys to be shared and creative fields to be transformed into equitable spaces. Adam Tyler, President of Killian Pacific, the exhibition’s first sponsor and host, furthered this idea with a warm welcome and his support of the exhibition’s mission of inclusive representation. Amy Winterowd, Vice President of Client Solutions at JE Dunn Construction and Design Museum Board Member, also spoke to this notion, emphasizing the impact of We Design’s permanence and how the consistent presence of an exhibition on creative diversity allows for discovery and opportunity in design fields.

The night ended with shared stories and new connections, looking forward to the months to come. We’d like to thank our We Design sponsors, namely Killian Pacific, for their partnership and incredible space.

We Design will be at Clay Creative, 1615 SE 3rd Ave. from February 13th through April 24th, 2020, Tuesdays – Fridays from 10am-6pm and Saturdays from 12-4pm.  Starting in May 2020, the exhibition will move to its second home at BRIC Architecture, 1233 NW Northrup St. #100.