Journalist By Nature: Art in the Pearl: The Nature of Urban Portland

Pottery

Cement and towering buildings would not immediately bring to mind thoughts of nature, but there are urban pockets of greenery about town and the Park Blocks are one such location. The Labor Day weekend marks the Art in the Pearl celebration of local artists and their wares, as varied as any complex tapestry. The waves of people wandering through the tent exhibits add another element of interest as do the smells of various ethnic foods wafting through it all.

Huge trees offer shade to the fair goers and while the green grass is quite marginalized by tromping feet, it will be revitalized once the event is over. As the sun courses east to west, the shadows shift, offering respite from the hot sun. Many restaurants offer patio seating and scrumptious menus throughout the Pearl district, so it is fun to make a day of it, get your art dose for the month and try out new eateries along the way.

The MAX train, city trolleys and buses are an engaging way to travel through the downtown areas. The schedules offer frequent stops and connections and the people watching is a bonus. The nature of urban Portland is in the small spots: various shops, tree-lined streets, shop front planter decor and rooftop gardens. The sidewalk trails are harder on the feet than needle-padded forest trails, the tall buildings replace towering trees but there are birds, squirrels and plenty of dogs and other pets to entertain the city walker.

Take a break from your local routine and enter the nature of urban Portland. See what delights you can discover on your journey through the cement and brick forest.