As one of eleven recipients of Metro’s Community Placemaking grant this year, Montavilla’s Vestal Elementary expands their annual Social Justice Night in partnership with PSU’s Artist as Citizen Initiative and the arts nonprofit, Montavilla Jazz. The community-wide celebration will feature collaborative artistic works – by both students and professionals – focused on two of Vestal’s five pillars of social justice: community diversity and family identity. On this special evening Vestal will invite one of Portland’s most culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse neighborhoods to come together in celebration of social justice, art, food, music, and community.

WHEN: Thursday, May 26, 2022, starting at 4:30pm with events through the evening
WHERE: Outside on the playground and in the gymnasium of Vestal Elementary (161 NE 82nd Ave). Dinner will take place across the street at The Yard prior to the festivities!
WHO: Open to the Vestal community, partners, and neighborhood residents
WHAT: Vestal Social Justice Night 2022 – Featuring Student-led Social Justice Projects and Art Exhibits, local arts and crafts vendors, and Three Jazz World Premieres!

2022 Featured Jazz Artists

● Denzel Mendoza – GRAMMY winning trombonist, improviser (Haley Heynderickx, American DREAMers; Vestal featured artist 2021)
● Machado Mijiga – Multi-instrumentalist, producer, and educator (Djungol Jim, DoubleDash; Vestal guest artist 2020 & featured artist 2021)
● Mary-Sue Tobin – Saxophonist, bandleader, and educator, (Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble, Quadraphonnes; Vestal resident artist 2018 – 2021)

Primary Project Partners:

Vestal Elementary School – Vestal is a K-5 school branded as a school for social justice that utilizes social justice standards, student voice, critical dialogue, and meaningful action, to strengthen students’ academic proficiency and social and emotional skills development thereby creating and sustaining a forward thinking caring school and community.

Artist as Citizen Initiative (partner since 2018) – PSU Artist as Citizen Initiative is a BIPOC-centered, interdisciplinary initiative that encompasses innovative curriculum, educational outreach and community-building. Artist as Citizen provides a hands-on, community-based experience that delves into
the process of artistic activism.

Montavilla Jazz (partner since 2016) – Montavilla Jazz is a nonprofit community organization that engages an inclusive cross-section of musicians, collaborative artists, students, music lovers, neighbors, and businesses, promoting forward-thinking artistry and offering platforms for risk-taking, experimentation and the creation of new works, adding to the diversity and strength of our community.

Additional Project Partners:

● Mira’s East African Cuisine
● Works Progress Agency
● Friends of Noise
● The Yard at Montavilla
● Vestal PTA
● IRCO SUN Community School at Vestal

Metro’s Community Placemaking grants support community-led, equity-focused, arts and culture-based efforts. Learn more at oregonmetro.gov.