More Murals Spring To Life in Portland’s Jade District

Located in the heart of the culturally rich Jade District near 82nd Avenue, a once forgettable wall has come alive with a stunning aquatic scene complete with marine life and deep blue ocean hues. The captivating underwater landscape enlivens Division St, providing a relaxing view for this busy East Portland thoroughfare.

Bing, the owner of Ocean Blue Seafood, had been discussing the possibility of a mural with the APANO for a number of years. This year, the dream turned into a reality as APANO was able to commission a piece by renowned Asian American artist, Jeremy Nichols, with the support of grant funding from Venture Portland and project management support from Portland Street Art Alliance (PSAA).

This underwater mural features expertly rendered corals, with blue flowing waves providing a soothing sensory experience. “I wanted to create something bright and in line with the business,” says artist Jeremy Nichols. “I thought a colorful mural depicting an underwater coral reef scene would be an effective approach that would catch the viewer's eye.”

APANO was thrilled to be able to bring the mural idea to fruition with Bing, who has been incredibly supportive of the Jade District and APANO's work for many years. For Bing, she's happy she can help bring more public art to the Jade District.

Thank you, PSAA and Jeremy Nichols, for helping make the Jade District a little brighter! We have been talking with the owners of Ocean Blue about doing a mural for years, and now we're making these conversations a reality. Thanks to Venture Portland's Major Impact Award, we are able to highlight this local business while creating interesting and beautiful street art. We hope it will invite more people to walk through the Jade District and visit our local small businesses! – Alisa Kajikawa, APANO Community Development Director, Place Based Programs

The Jade District has long served as a beacon for the immigrant and refugee community, where families have built businesses for decades and shared traditions that define Portland's multicultural identity.

One of the district’s biggest champions has been APANO, one of Oregon’s longest-standing Asian grassroots advocacy organizations, uniting Asians to build power, develop leaders, and advance equity through organizing, advocacy, community development, and cultural work.

PSAA was thrilled to partner with APANO on this mural project. Jeremy Nichols brings exceptional artistic vision that perfectly aligns with celebrating the rich cultural heritage and community spirit of the Jade District. This underwater Pacific Ocean scene represents everything we love about street art – authentic community collaboration, cultural celebration, and transformative public art that brings neighbors and businesses together. We're honored to help create this vibrant tribute at Ocean Blue Seafood – a perfect pairing of art and place that celebrates both the Pacific connections of our communities and the entrepreneurial spirit that makes this unique district thrive.  – Tiffany Conklin, PSAA founding Executive Director

This collaboration between a local artist, two nonprofits, and a business exemplifies how street art can strengthen community identity while honoring both the environment and the immigrant communities that call East Portland home.

ABOUT THE ARTIST: Jeremy Nichols is a Japanese-American mural artist who was born in Japan and raised in Columbus, Ohio. Under the artist name “Plastic Birdie,” Jeremy has painted numerous murals across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. A Portland resident since 2008, Jeremy has been a full-time artist and muralist since 2017.

ABOUT APANO: APANO unites Asians to build power, develop leaders, and advance equity through organizing, advocacy, community development, and cultural work.

ABOUT OCEAN BLUE SEAFOOD: Ocean Blue Seafood Inc. is a seafood company based in Portland, Oregon, specializing in providing a variety of fresh and frozen seafood products to local restaurants and retailers. With a focus on quality and sustainability, the company sources its seafood from reputable suppliers to ensure customer satisfaction. Offering a diverse selection of seafood options, Ocean Blue Seafood Inc. prides itself on delivering top-notch products that meet the needs of its clients. Whether it's fresh fish, shellfish, or specialty items, the company aims to be a reliable and trusted seafood provider in the Portland area.

ABOUT PSAA: Portland Street Art Alliance (PSAA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides access to resources, networking, and professional development opportunities for street artists. PSAA has facilitated commissioned work resulting in nearly $2,000,000 paid to working artists and managed over 500 major private and publicly-funded art projects, collaborating with hundreds of artists in the region. PSAA serves hundreds of community members each year through educational programming, tours, and community events. PSAA is actively transforming the public art landscape by developing more inclusive place-based programs that aim to increase access to art for everyone in the city.

High Resolution Photos Available Upon Request

Photography:

Sara Sjol, sara@pdxstreetart.org

Tiffany Conklin, info@pdxstreetart.org

Press Contacts:

Tiffany Conklin, info@pdxstreetart.org, 503-841-7171

Sara Sjol, sara@pdxstreetart.org, 503-290-4458

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