The Unknown City | “Beyond the hill” Portland Photographers

Group 1 Artists
Susan Bein, Judy Blankenship, Jamie Bosworth, Owen Carey, Mark Fitzgerald, Bob Gervais, Jon Gottshall, Jim Hair, Ken Hawkins, Dave Hutt, Edis Jurčys, Julie Keefe, Horatio Hung-Yan Law, Nathan Lucas, David McCarthy, Stuart Allen Levy, George Olson, Willy Paul, Gerald Seligman, Mark Toa

Group 2 Artists
Lucy Capehart, Deborah Dombrowski, Gene Faulkner, Brian Foulkes, Courtney Frisse, Barbara Gilson, Phil Harris, Ken Hochfeld, Carol Isaak, Ann Kendellen, Stu Levy, Jim Lommasson, John T. Montague, Loren Nelson, Douglas Prior, Steve Rockoff, Rich Rollins, Steve Rosenberg, Barrett Rudich, Rita Silen, Kim Stafford, Gary Wilson

The Unknown City
Reflecting on these perilous times, it often feels as though circumstances are beyond our control. We find it difficult to recognize our own city as others describe it. Our
chaotic national government offers little protection and support, making it essential that we rely more on our local communities and state.

Our project, “The Unknown City”, refers to our beloved city of Portland and is inspired by Italo Calvino’s “Invisible Cities” which explores the idea that our cities are composed of individuals’ dreams, desires, and even fears—truths only known to the individuals but often hidden from others.

Our band of “beyond the hill” photographers (over 65 years old) consists of long-time Portland residents who have documented the city’s cycles of growth, decline, and revival, and recent
transplants, who bring with them a fresh point of view. This collective body of work offers a rare, multi-decade perspective on Portland’s evolving urban landscape, illuminating the diverse experiences of citizens from different backgrounds and places.

The goal of “The Unknown City” is to help Portlanders better understand each other. Through our images, we hope to encourage viewers not only to see familiar places anew but also recognize the diverse experiences that define our city, ultimately sparking conversations and meaningful connections across our community.