Portland State College of the Arts

Continuing the Portland State University School of Architecture’s 12-year partnership with the Pickathon music festival, architecture students created a backdrop for this year’s Cherry Hill stage made from disused fishing nets that will go on to save lives in the conflict in Ukraine. The nets, sourced by Net Your Problem from Oregon coast fishermen, were draped and suspended from a series of wooden structures, forming a billowing, tubular, cloudlike vision that provided an evocative background for 18 musical acts. And as the stage is dismantled, nothing will go to waste. The wood will be used for community projects, and the nets will soon be on their way to Ukraine, where soldiers and civilians will use them as protection against drone attacks, stretching them over roads and trenches, roadways and markets, doorways and windows. Read the full story at the link in our bio.

📸 by Mark Stein Mark Stein (photo 1), Brooke Hoyer Brooke Hoyer (photo 2), courtesy of Ground Squirrel Ventures (photo 3), Karen O'Donnell Stein (photos 4 & 5)

With the Global Improvisation Initiative Symposium taking place in Lincoln Hall last week, the entire building was absolutely buzzing with creative energy and collaboration. Hallways, performance spaces and classrooms on every floor were filled with scholars and artists who traveled to Portland to learn about the art of improvisation. Workshops, performances, and networking sessions kept the attendees engaged the entire four days. Read more about this unique event, co-organized by Theater Arts professor Theresa Robbins Dudeck: https://www.orartswatch.org/bring-people-together-and-see-what-happens-portland-state-university-hosts-global-improvisation-symposium/

PSU's much-lauded Chamber Choir, the only American choral group invited to headline the 18th China International Chorus Festival, has embarked on an exciting and ambitious tour of China, starting with concerts and sightseeing in Beijing. The trip also includes stops and multiple performances in Chengdu and Shanghai. Follow along (virtually) with the Chamber Choir at their blog, where they're posting photos, updates, anecdotes, meals and memories as they go: https://psuchamberchoir.weebly.com/blog

Pictured: PSU Chamber Choir at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing (affectionately known as the "Giant Egg").

Before we officially close the books on commencement season, here's one last look at the huge batch of photos from the incredible College of the Arts ceremony on June 12!
Congratulations to all of our graduates! You pushed through and persisted and got this done! The creativity, dedication, kindness, supportiveness, innovation and artistic skills that you've cultivated during your time at PSU will serve you well in whatever comes next. We'll be cheering you on!

2026 College of the Arts Commencement Ceremony Portland State celebrates our graduates from the College of the Arts. Friday, June 12, 2026 9:00 – 11:00 AM Viking Pavilion at the Peter W. Stott Center photo credit: © 2026 Patric Simon / www.patricsimon.com

The PSU College of the Arts is thrilled to announce the 2026-27 cohort of LAIKA Scholars and Faculty Fellows. This multitalented, multidisciplinary group is the second cohort to participate in this unique three-year pilot program, which aims to build pathways toward careers in the film and stop motion animation industry and broaden and diversify the creative workforce. Congratulations to LAIKA Faculty Fellows Dustin Morrow (School of Film) and Julie Perini (Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design), and LAIKA Scholars Hannah Barry (Film), Kiyora Dorres (Theater Arts), Diego Garibay (Graphic Design/Chicanx/Latinx Studies), Coral Sage Smith (Sonic Arts and Music Production), and Niki Villiarimo (Film)!

🔗Learn more: https://www.pdx.edu/arts/news/college-arts-announces-second-cohort-laika-student-scholars-and-faculty-fellows

Pictured: Professor J.J. Vazquez, one of the 2025 LAIKA Faculty Fellows, and a Film student.

👀 Notice something different about Lincoln Hall? Yes, the display cases on the Broadway side of our beloved building now feature new artwork created by students in the Graphic Design program's Rodeo class! The banners feature the creative work happening across all four schools in the College of the Arts. Check out these colorful banners next time you're passing by SW Broadway and Market!

"Wildly ambitious, eccentrically creative and almost over the top," writes Angela Allen of Oregon ArtsWatch in her review of PSU Opera's "Cosi fan tutte"! Using words like "scintillating," "brilliance," "imaginatively staged" and "well-performed," Ms. Allen praised the show, saying "I could have listened the sopranos all night." Read the review below! And grab your tickets for the last two shows this weekend -- they're almost gone! https://www.orartswatch.org/lush-verdant-exuberance-psu-operas-fantastical-woodland-cosi-fan-tutte/
Photos by Chad Lanning

THANK YOU to everyone who supported the College of the Arts during this year's Day of Giving -- whether you made a financial contribution, pledged matching funds, spread the word, or volunteered your time to make this campaign successful (or all four!), we are so thankful to you.
Thanks to our wonderful supporters, we have raised a total of $10,780!

🎬 $6,150 for the School of Film Program Fund from 26 generous donors
🎶 $3,420 for the PSU Bands Program from 18 generous donors
🎨 $1,210 for the College of the Arts Dean's Fund for Opportunities & Excellence from 8 generous donors

And the funds are not closed yet! If you missed it during the campaign window, there's still time to give. Go to https://www.givecampus.com/s/uhippv to donate.

Look at these smiling faces! Dean Leroy Bynum, Jr. and our school directors welcomed 17 high school and community college counselors from all around Oregon, California and Hawaii this morning. They joined us on a tour of the College of the Arts, culminating in a selfie stop with the Dean at our new Art Building -- which will be complete next month! We hope our guests had as much fun as we did!

PSU Day of Giving is happening now! 👀The College of the Arts needs your support in reaching our goals.

🎬 When 25 people give ANY amount to the School of Film Program Fund, we will unlock a $5,000 match!
🎷 Contributions to the University Band Program Support Fund are matched 1:1 up to $2,500!
🧑‍🎨 Help the College of The Arts Dean’s Fund raise $2,000 to support faculty research and students experiencing hardship.

Want to increase your impact? 🦉 NIGHT OWL POWER HOUR - Tonight, April 15, the top three funds that receive the highest number of donors between 7pm and 10pm (PDT) will each earn $500 toward their goal!

🔗 https://www.givecampus.com/s/uhippv

Thank you for supporting the arts at PSU!