Rachael Harms Mahlandt is passionate about creating Sidewalk Joy - adding bright spots of whimsy to her city through creative art installations. Sidewalk Joy spots are free, curated public galleries, exchanges and displays, often installed in front yards, along a sidewalk fence, or on the side of a building. Her first project was creating a dinosaur-themed diorama (a ‘Dinorama’), which then led to a dino exchange, a micro book swap, an Air Bee N Bee, micro parks, a mug exchange, and more.
Building on the success of the Portland Sidewalk Joy map she co-created, Rachael recently launched a Worldwide Sidewalk Joy map, highlighting hundreds of projects (and growing!). She loves the community connections that happen through Sidewalk Joy spots and openly shares her own knowledge to help other people get started.
On this episode, host Angela de Burger chats with Rachael about what sparked her love of sidewalk art installations, how she comes up with new ideas, how these projects bring people together and build community, and what you can find on the Worldwide Sidewalk Joy map.
Say hi to Rachael:
Websites:
- Sidewalk Joy - sidewalkjoy.com
- PDX Sidewalk Joy - pdxsidewalkjoy.com
- Worldwide Sidewalk Joy - worldwidesidewalkjoy.com
Instagram - @pdxdinorama
TikTok - @pdxdinorama
Facebook - /pdxdinorama
YouTube - @PDXDinorama/shorts
Bluesky - /pdxdinorama.bsky.social
Show mentions:
Awesome Foundation Portland - awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/portland
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Music credit: https://www.purple-planet.com