Meet the Artists!

Asa Wright, MFA, Klamath/Modoc/Yahooskin

Asa is an enrolled member of the Klamath Tribes from Chiloquin, Oregon though he has called Portland home for the last 20 years. He is an artist of many mediums including painting, screen printing, graphic design and cultural arts such as beadwork, weaving, making drums, cradleboards and regalia. Asa has a Bachelors degree in Public Health from Portland State University and a Masters degree in Collaborative Design from Pacific NW College of Art.

Asa blends his backgrounds in public health and art/design to work on cultural

revitalization, decolonization and positive social change. Asa also Trains communities in and creates art for action, art that brings about awareness of social justice issues that motivate communities, people and organizations to mobilize for direct change. (Courtesy Asa’s website)

Visit Asa’s professional site here.

a.c. ramírez de arellaño lives in Portland, Oregon. They are a 2 Spirit, disabled, grandfather who enjoys creating large pieces of art, working with leather, oil on canvass, and mask making. They are an alumni of Portland State University, retired, and classroom volunteer introducing Native and Indigenous kids to art.

Much of a.c. ramírez de arellaño’s work focuses on gender, body positivity, and Indigenous issues. They take inspiration from ancestral stories and the experience of living in the Pacific Northwest for almost 30 years. They paint using alternative tools, allowing them to work a few hours each week despite debilitating disease.

a.c. ramírez de arellaño’s work has been showcased at Portland State University, Portland Community College, Southern Oregon University, Portland Q Center, Multnomah Arts Center, and in a number of galleries and publications, in the Pacific Northwest and Puerto Rico.

Visit a.c.’s professional site here.

Brian Rainforth, Klamath, he/him

Brian Rainforth was born in rural Oregon and grew up in Alaska and the Seattle area of Washington State. He identifies strongly with his multi-tribal and international ancestry, listing among them Klamath, Wasco, Yakama, Cowlitz, Quinault, Tohono O’odam and European. He is a member of the Klamath Tribes.

He co-founded the Northwest Two Spirit Society with Raven Heavy Runner and Hiram Calf Looking in 2002 and has voyaged near and far to attend gatherings and events sponsored by the Denver Two Spirit Society, Tulsa Two Spirit Society, BAAITS, Montana Two Spirit Society and NE2SS.

He has derived great pleasure from creative self expression since adolescence, taking inspiration from European Classics, Marvel, Abstract, Impressionism and Northwest American Indian art. His time living abroad from France, to Montréal to Korea, as well as his travels to different corners of the globe have only helped to inspire him in his aspirations to reflect his inner artistry. (Courtesy Q Center)

Geeta Lewis

Geeta Lewis is a Visual Artist, Writer, and Performance Storyteller. As a Queer, Black, Trans Woman she brings an intersectional lens to her visual art and stage work. A series of her paintings are part of a historical archive in Washington, DC. Creating a balancing between Light, Darkness, and Laughter is her weapon of choice to help build a more equitable world. She’s been displayed at the Paragon Gallery among other venues in Portland. She’s performed at the Artists Repertory Theater and the Armory Theater, both in Portland Oregon.

Visit Geeta’s professional site here.