Lillian Pitt Public Artwork: “Voices,” at the Oregon Convention Center

The Oregon Convention Center

"Oregon Convention Center" by sd is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Quick Facts

Location:

Portland, OR

MANAGED BY:

Oregon Convention Center

Amenities

12 listed

Benches/Seating, Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Parking - Auto, Parking - Bus/RV, Restroom, Telephone, Toilet - Flush, Trash/Litter Receptacles, Wheelchair Accessible

Lewis and Clark NHT Visitor Centers and Museums

This map shows a range of features associated with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, which commemorates the 1803-1806 Lewis and Clark Expedition. The trail spans a large portion of the North American continent, from the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon and Washington. The trail is comprised of the historic route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, an auto tour route, high potential historic sites (shown in black), visitor centers (shown in orange), and pivotal places (shown in green). These features can be selected on the map to reveal additional information. Also shown is a base map displaying state boundaries, cities, rivers, and highways. The map conveys how a significant area of the North American continent was traversed by the Lewis and Clark Expedition and indicates the many places where visitors can learn about their journey and experience the landscape through which they traveled.

Lillian Pitt’s “Voices” is a series of twenty six bronze relief plaques located in the Oregon Convention Center and are part of the Center’s Public Art project. Her work is the largest collection of public art by a Native American artist in any public space within the City of Portland. Ten artists were selected through a public invitation process to produce work for the center’s permanent collection, one of the most varied convention center art programs in the country.

The twenty-six plaques in the exhibit represent the voices of Native people throughout the region. Lillian is a descendent of Wasco, Yakama and Warm Springs ancestors, and she felt it was her obligation to honor all of the Native peoples of the region in her work.

Lillian states, “My goal wasn’t just to produce public art but to educate viewers about the rich cultures and history of the various Native peoples who lived throughout Oregon.” She further states, “We titled the work “Voices” because we thought of the plaques as giving our ancestors a voice … giving them an opportunity to be heard in this modern world where the memory of them is otherwise being drowned by progress.”

Lillian Pitt is a Pacific Northwest Native American artist. She was born and raised on the Warm Springs reservation in Oregon and her ancestors lived in and near the Columbia River Gorge for over 10,000 years. The focus of her work is on creating contemporary fine art pieces that delight today’s art lovers, and at the same time, honor the history and legends of her people.

For more information about Lillian Pitt’s work and a list of her other public art pieces to view in the area, please visit http://lillianpitt.com.