Oregon Main Street Highlight: Port Orford

This post is part of a series celebrating Oregon Main Street’s ten years of downtown revitalization. Throughout the year we will be highlighting some of our Main Street network communities and the great work they are doing. You can learn more about Oregon Main Street here. Main Street efforts in Port Orford are being carried out by the Port Orford Main Street Revitalization Association and here is a snapshot into the work they are doing.

Port Orford has one gallery for every 100 people. Capitalizing on art, our Main Street organization uses public art to help the revitalization effort of down town and brand Port Orford as a designated Art District. Movable murals help to solve problem buildings in distress until the problem is resolved. Other murals depict history or are just fun – giant flowers on fences, story book characters on murals at library and much more. Art walks improve pedestrian traffic and show off the galleries.

Public art in Port Orford expanded from murals and a mosaic to whimsical fire hydrants. Our most recent art addition turns rusting fire hydrants along Main Street into pieces of art. Residents and visitors can obtain a map at the visitor center and other places in order to find all of the art enhanced hydrants: Oregon Duck, Starry Night, Minion, Dotty, Quilt, Dalmatian, and many more. Artists did their thing to refurbish rusting hydrants to the delight of the fire department. School children submitted designs so that more will be done with their designs with hydrants close to Main Street. The fun hydrants add to the character of the community with its painters, poets, musicians, and many galleries.

Port Orford is now a designated Art District. Both the Main Street organization and the Art Council promote art with Art Walks, First Fridays and special exhibits.Be sure to stop by next time you are driving up or down the Coast and see what art treasures await in Port Orford!