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Art Exhibit: For The Kids by HerNameWasKyra

Event Details
July 1 – 31, 2024
The Armory: PGE Gallery
FREE

Portland Center Stage will host FOR THE KIDS, an art exhibit by Portland-based visual artist HerNameWasKyra that features tattooed portraits as symbolic mirrors reflecting the "inner child" that guides us into adulthood.

The exhibit is on display to view daily from July 1-July 31, 2024.

Artist Reception: July 7, 2024 from 5:00-7:30 PM in the PGE gallery.

ARTIST STATEMENT

FOR THE KIDS

In this body of work, I aim to illuminate the timeless essence of innocence, wonder, and pure potential that resides within each of us. These portraits are not mere representations of children, but are symbolic mirrors reflecting the inner child that continues to guide us into adulthood. This element of guidance is illustrated through the tattoos that adorn each child. This is an ode to us. This is “For the Kids”.

 --- HerNameWasKyra

Meet HerNameWasKyra
Meet HerNameWasKyra

HerNameWasKyra (Kyra Watkins) is a Cincinnati Native, Portland based artist. Kyra started her art practice as a mural apprentice at the age of 15. Witnessing first hand how access and opportunity levels the playing field for young people, Kyra has been inspired to engage with the youth through art. 

Youth empowerment has become such a large part of Kyra’s practice, it has steeped into the subject of her personal work.

You will find that Kyra’s body of work is largely figurative and the main subject matter being of children. Kyra likes to think of her work as a reminder that all children are our children, and to show up for them means we must show up for our inner child first. 

Since Kyra’s start as an apprentice, Kyra has been in the public art space for 16 years. Kyra now aspires to marry her love for public art and youth engagement by creating a youth public art program and helping her fellow artist get started in their mural making career.

Portland Center Stage is committed to identifying & interrupting instances of racism & all forms of oppression, through the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, & accessibility (IDEA).

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