By Marissa Sainz, June 25, 2021
Esperanza Spalding has launched a campaign, advocating for the BIPOC community of Portland. The PDX-local and Grammy award-winning musician is raising money to establish an artist City Sanctuary as a space to congregate, share creative ideas, and garden as a form of therapy. The sanctuary will include a(n):
- Café and tea bar
- BIPOC Eco-poetics reading room
- Two studios for short-term artist residency
- Massive organic vegetable garden
- Basement recording studio
Spalding’s goal for the project is to, “support the creation of restorative art, in a truly restorative environment” and uplift the PDX BIPOC community. Spalding is aiming to raise $300,000 to purchase the St. Johns property and to design its stellar facilities.
About The Artist
Born and raised in Portland’s King neighborhood, Spalding’s mother encouraged creativity and free-thinking in her children. As a child, Spalding was enthralled with classical music and began teaching herself to play the violin. By age 5, she was playing with the Chamber Music Society of Oregon. Her passion continued into adulthood — she studied jazz at Portland State and Boston’s Berklee College of Music where, after graduation, she became Berklee’s youngest ever music instructor. Since then, Spalding has released 8 albums and received the “Best New Artist” Grammy award in 2011. In reflection of her career starting so early in life, she said:
“Your sanity is harder to get back than money or contacts. You are the magic. You are the art. You can’t lose that”
To show your support, stay up-to-date with the updates on this project, and when we can expect its grand opening, you can follow Spalding on Instagram.
Marissa Sainz
Broker | Earth Advantage | OR
She/Her
Whether you want to live in a hip Pearl District condo or a unique east side bungalow I am here to help you find the perfect home. The Pearl District and the close in surrounding neighborhoods are exciting and evolving areas and where I focus my business...
Read More
- T: 512-736-6111
- marissa@livingroomre.com
