Perhaps you didn't know we were looking? I kept it on the down-low for many reasons, most pressing because I really didn't know which way the news was going to go. This past summer, with our lease up, FLOCK walked the fault line of Portland's burgeoning real estate market (the one where the marginalized get kicked out). I tried to shimmy it every direction and I just couldn't figure out how to make FLOCK's mission work under the circumstances of a huge rent increase. I tried to imagine Portland without FLOCK. I did not take to this lightly. My heart broke into trillions of pieces many times over.
Through deep re-imagining and support, Disjecta found a way to sponsor FLOCK through a model shared space. They have FLOCK Friday-Sunday and FLOCK has it Monday-Thursday. We will continue with this model until the end of June. I will be forever grateful for this as it allows FLOCK to continue, albeit with less capacity, through the winter months.
The New FLOCK
Next summer we will move into the community of NW Marine Art Works, Building #5! This is one of a collection of buildings that Ken Unkeles owns. For those of you who do not know, Ken is a long term champion of Portland artists. He has been creating spaces for artists to work and thrive in our city for over 30 years. I cannot impress upon you enough exactly what this means for FLOCK and for our larger art community. This not only allows FLOCK to continue but also to thrive for years to come (and when I say years I really do mean it because Ken Unkeles means it too).
It is being built out to be FLOCK-same square footage, unreasonably high ceilings with windows of natural light streaming in and the same amazing floor that was put into our original space. We will have heating and air-conditioning and most importantly a place to call home where the bottom line allows for FLOCK to continue to do what it does and to do it better!
This process has made me realize I cannot usher in this new FLOCK alone. I am deeply honored to have held this space for 6 years. I am proud of what has transpired at FLOCK. And I recognize that FLOCK has more potential to offer with more people at the helm. I am not leaving, I am being joined by some fantastic people. The restructuring is still underway so stay tuned. Yet I can tell you that FLOCK remains an organization in the hands of artists for artists!
We Need Your Support To Make This Happen
While the world around us is quite literally on fire I am reminded every day why we need art. Artists are the incubators, the healers, the igniters, the instigators, the disruptors, the soul searchers. Art bring things into sharp focus and spins the world into poetics. Now more than ever we need artists and we need spaces where artists can thrive. I am so deeply grateful for the artists, cultural makers, advocates, administrators, partnered organizations, volunteers, audiences, friends, and family, that have made these first 6 years a success.
FLOCK provides support for artists to make their art, FLOCK provides conversations and community. While you are considering where to donate this season please do consider FLOCK. Your tax deducted donation goes toward all costs of moving FLOCK into its new space. Specifically, we will be re-installing our state of the art floor that makes FLOCK a safe space to move on. FLOCK might be small but impact is mighty. Please help FLOCK move into the future.
Our current goal before the end of the year is $3,000. Help us get there!
DONATE HERE