Art Picnic at Alberta Park

Dear Liza,

A few months ago we visited our friend Jack Kent while he had a table at an Art Picnic at Colonel Summers Park, and it looked like such fun that Auntie Bridgett signed up for one this month. This time, we packed up the car and drove north to Alberta Park.

Art Picnics are unique in that they are not organized by any club or group. A lady named Lucia went on line and asked “who wants to do this?” and people signed up. Everyone who wants to shows up, sets up, and sells their art. Folks are helpful and friendly. It feels like the best of Portland.

It was predicted to be very warm, so we made sure to get a spot in the shade. With dappled tree shade protecting our tent shade, we we comfortable for most of the day. People coming by to see Bridgett’s work were comfortable, too. There was a lot of delightful conversation.

Alberta Park is a park that just keeps giving. There are basketball courts under a shelter, tennis courts, roller hockey courts, climbing toys and lots of trees. Music from boomboxes made fine background music. It was fun to have so many activities overlapping.

We met some creators of comics, too. A young man named Christopher stopped by and told us about his digital comic, “Korina Trials of Shadow (WIP)”. He struggles with social anxiety and says he often asks himself, “Who am I to think I can tell this important story?” Of course the answer is that no one else BUT him could tell it, because it’s HIS story.

We met a very young artist named Sky (she is too short to show over the table display) who came by with her mom. She was interested in learning about how to make her own comics, and Auntie Bridgett gave her contact info so she could write and ask! Maybe Sky will be selling her comics in a few years.

We also had some non-human visitors. The usual Portland compliment of dogs came by, a lady bug settled on my hat and a bee kept buzzing around.

At 3:00 it was just getting uncomfortably hot, and it was time to pack up. Once again, my little red wagon proved its worth as we schlepped tent, table, and boxes of art back to the car.

We were feeling the effects long day and stopped by Nico’s Ice Cream (this used to be a food truck at Books with Pictures and is now a brick and mortar store) for a life-saving refreshment of blueberry soft serve. Thanks, Nico’s!

We got home, had pizza and wine for dinner, and slept like dead people. What a day!

Love,

Grandma Judy