Portland looks different this weekend. Thirty giant crow sculptures have landed across the city to mark the arrival of LAIKA's new film, Wildwood. This outdoor art installation features custom designs from a diverse group of artists chosen after an extensive submission process.
Twenty-three of these large-scale sculptures are spread throughout the city center, while seven more occupy locations elsewhere in the metro area. Each piece stands roughly six feet tall, turning public spaces into a walk-through gallery. Visitors can track their finds using the official Wildwood Follow the Crows app.
This project carries on the tradition of the successful Coraline cat trail, which helped raise significant funds for local children's healthcare. This iteration also serves as a fundraiser for the community. The statues will eventually go up for auction to support good causes, with a final farewell event scheduled for Halloween.
Local artist Matt Jones, known for his work as Freaky Footwear, designed one of the crows. He describes his piece as an attempt to capture the specific character of the city. The grand opening takes place Friday at the St. Johns Library, where some of the contributing artists will sign maps for the public.
Organizers suggest that anyone looking to explore the full trail should keep an eye on the official website for ongoing updates regarding the sculptures and the upcoming auction. It is a unique chance to see large-scale local art while supporting community initiatives.