PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — Several new murals have gone up, brightening Portland’s Rose Quarter.

Created in a collaboration with the Portland Trail Blazers, eight local artists came together over the summer to create elaborate murals as part of the “Roots to Roses” project.

A total of six new murals can be viewed on the Rose Quarter Commons, between Moda Center’s north and south entrances, and within the arena’s 100-level concourse.

“Each mural brings to life a celebration of rich diversity and resilience of Portland’s communities, highlighting their historical roots and cultural blossoms like vibrant roses,” said Portland Trail Blazers Chief Marketing Officer, Kevin Kinghorn.

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It’s hard to miss the vibrant murals. Some are located along the “Wiggle Wall”, the name given to the retaining wall bordering the garden at the Moda Center campus.

The Roots to Roses project was created as a celebration of Portland neighborhoods and the rich, diverse cultures within.

Albina Neighborhood Tribute

Just outside the Rose Quarter Box Office, created in collaboration with the Albina Rose Alliance, the Trail Blazers worked with Albina Vision Trust to contract artist Sharita Towne to illuminate the Rose Quarter Box Office with a beautiful circular mural.

Towne’s inspiration was the Albina neighborhood.

With her paintbrush, she highlighted the past through imagery of what she says is, “neighborhood kids who invited newcomers to play outside—no matter their country of origin; elders who planted cherry blossom trees to honor their Japanese neighbors incarcerated during WWII; and folks like Paul Knauls and Geneva Knauls, who shuttled folks to ball games, and had the whole town stepping out in 1977 when Portland took the championship. It’s a tribute to Black neighbors’ collectivity, care, and celebration in Albina—an enduring love yesterday, today, and tomorrow.”

Hawthorne and Alberta Neighborhood Tributes

The Trail Blazers organization enlisted artist Darren Todd to create two vibrant murals to represent the Hawthorne and Alberta neighborhoods.

The Alberta mural celebrates the legacy of Portland’s Black community, honoring merchants, musicians, artists, and the lasting cultural empowerment that thrives there.

The Hawthorne piece pays tribute to the Portland food scene and rainy-day charm, capturing what makes Portland unique.

“We know that Portlanders’ passion for our city, our community, and the Trail Blazers runs deep and inspires so much of the creative energy that flows across the city. Between the new neighborhood-focused artwork and design inside the arena and the amazing ARA and Roots to Roses murals on the Rose Quarter commons, these artists did an incredible job bringing that passion to life,” Kinghorn said.

Each mural will be made into a print, available to buy at Trail Blazers “Celebration Nights.” Proceeds will support local nonprofit partners.