Alan Wieder
It's early December, just after my 71st birthday, as I begin to sort through pictures I have made this past year - the year of the Corona Virus. In July, with tRump's stormtroopers in town, I attended a demonstration in North Portland. At the event I was fortunate to meet a community, ages ranging from children to adult's in their 70s, who grew up and still live near King Elementary School. Everyday some of these individuals meet in the park that adjoins the school. Sometimes they eat and drink and smoke; what is constant, though, is Conversation. Since that time, I have had the privilege of taking photographs in the park almost every day. Individuals have welcomed me into their lives, albeit, because of the virus I have chosen to limit our meetings to the park. It's important to note that I view this as an ongoing endeavor. People have invited me into their homes and churches and more; that will be part of the post-pandemic project. For now, I am submitting the beginnings of relational portraits of a community. Individuals meeting each day in their own "public living room."