Lake Oswego OKs public art project addressing local history; Sahara DeFries selected to create panels and sidewalk stamps

The Lake Oswego City Council on Oct. 7 approved the selection of artist Sahara Aylana DeFries to create a public art project for the exterior of the Lake Oswego Public Library that will include interpretive panels and a rain‑activated sidewalk stamp sequence called Rain Speaks.

City staff and community partners described the work as a collaboration led by Respond to Racism (RTR) with the Arts Council of Lake Oswego (ACLO) and the public library. Melissa Kelly, director of the Lake Oswego Public Library, said the library was chosen as a host site “because it’s a high‑traffic destination for community members of all races, ages and backgrounds.”

Panelists reviewed nine submissions and ranked finalists using an equity‑centered rubric that incorporated the city’s public art guidelines (referenced in the staff report as 5.10.2). Staff said the review panel was nine members, met the stated goal of at least 51% BIPOC representation, and included representatives from RTR, ACLO, the library and community experts in arts, curation and local history.

The selected work, Echoes of Belonging, includes four interpretive panels that address (1) sundown‑town history and aspiration, (2) redlining and restrictive covenants, (3) indigenous presence at Tumwatta and Willamette Falls, and (4) a mosaic celebrating communities of color. Each panel will carry a QR code linking to multi‑language written and audio narratives. The sidewalk treatment, Rain Speaks, uses stamped quotations from Black authors in the library collection; the stamps reveal an illustration when wet, symbolizing resilience and renewal.

Emily Prado, project manager for RTR, said the project budget for interpretive panels and sidewalk stamps is $31,000. Prado described plans for public engagement: “Sahara will host public paint‑by‑number events at the library where participants can contribute to the panels after attending talks on the histories each design represents.” The artist’s application said her work is grounded in “healing and art belong to everyone.”

Councilors asked about materials and maintenance. Staff said the artist originally proposed painted panels and wood substrates, but that the project team will work with the artist to select durable materials (for example, metal panels with anti‑graffiti coatings and metal frames) and a maintenance plan. ACLO’s public‑art committee will manage collection maintenance after installation, staff said.

Council members also raised questions about where the audio and written content will be hosted and emphasized that the histories presented should reflect the full range of people affected by discriminatory practices. Staff said the project includes QR‑linked content in multiple languages and that placement and site constraints will be refined with the artist; staff noted some adjustments are needed because of irrigation, landscaping and an existing sculpture on the library façade. The council instructed staff to complete a contract with the artist and continue site planning.

City action: Councilor Gruppi moved to approve the selection of Sahara Aylana DeFries for phase 1 of the RTR/ACLO public art project; Councilor Corrigan seconded. The motion passed 7–0.

Timeline and next steps: staff said they intend to execute a contract by the end of the month, begin site planning and community paint events, and aim for an unveiling in summer 2026.

Why it matters: the project explicitly links local public art to community history, inclusion and public education and will place multilingual interpretive content at a high‑visibility civic site. The project budget and selection process were presented to council to obtain formal approval of the artist selection and to confirm next steps for contracting and installation.