STEP UP AT FOURTH PLAIN COMMONS

Vancouver, Washington

Portland Street Art Alliance is pleased to announce a massive mural wrapping around Vancouver Housing Authority’s new Fourth Plain Commons, an affordable housing and multi-use development in the Fourth Plain International District of Vancouver Washington. Designed Christian Tellez, the mural tells the story of the surrounding community. Christian was assisted on this project by another prominent local muralist, Alex Chiu.

The multi-sectioned mural titled “Step Up” was designed to honor diversity and community coexistence. The balance between defined shapes and graphic elements visually interprets the inner life of a living building – a space geared towards community interaction and pride. The silhouettes in the mural span multiple generations and are representative of the various cultures that make up daily life in Fourth Plain. The varied design elements leave room to imagine a different story upon each viewing. One can almost hear conversations in the hallways, the music escaping from doors from time to time, childrens’ laughter at the playgrounds, and feel the overall rhythm of the bustling city streets below.

The stairs are a very important design element. They act as a daily reminder to elevate oneself, so that the next generations may go even higher - opening new opportunities for the future and the future of their community. The stairs behind the figures are also significant. Showing all the steps behind the figures is a powerful reference to all the challenges they have overcome to get to where they are, and the trajectory of moving forward to the next steps in one’s journey.

The goal of this mural design is to introduce the building to the neighborhood as a living structure design to benefit a larger community. Fourth Plain Commons embraces open interaction with the district, offering nearby services and creating a sense of community.

The design tells multiple stories on one canvas, allowing people to identify themselves in any of the shapes and create new stories. The color palette represents the joy and vibrant life of the different community cultures, individuality recognition, and identity freedom. Always remembering that other shapes, sizes, and colors work well together when they coexist and do not compete.

When Christian realized this project would take place in an international district, he thought of an effervescent place, with lots of movement, diverse languages, and multiple cultures.

“Knowing that I have the chance to create a new mural along with the numerous art and inspiring landmarks around Fourth Plain, is a thrilling task. Today, more than ever, I believe human connection is something we should fight for. We are now more aware of how much the spaces around us impact our physical and emotional well-being. Beyond the physical and utilitarian aspects of painting a building, a mural makes it memorable, a part of our life, our energies, and helps build the character of our communities. Murals have a lasting impact on the viewer and people using the building.” – Christian Tellez

Fourth Plain Commons is a vital community hub for the community, not only providing access to services, but also providing a third space for the community to grow, collaborate and share. The mural is a central feature of the commons and has been a truly collaborative process between the community and artists. Fourth Plain Forward’s Community Development Manager, Sheila Davis, worked alongside the artists throughout the process.

“We believe the Commons will be a catalyst in the community towards a future filled with joy and commitment to deepening relationships. Our hope with the artwork is to reflect this intention. Each artist has brought their unique perspective on this vision and we’re excited to see the artwork bring the Commons to life!” – Vancouver Housing Authority

“Christian created a colorful and vibrant mural that is reflective of the Fourth Plain community. I am impressed at the level of engagement that was done to make sure the diversity of the community came through in the artwork.” – City of Vancouver

“It has been an absolute pleasure for me to see the collaborative process in which Christian involved our community and established a shared vision, creating vibrant artwork that celebrates our culture, history, and community. We are grateful to the Portland Street Artist Alliance and the City of Vancouver for the opportunity to partner in this process and look forward to seeing the final art piece that will become an essential part of the fourth plain landscape.” - Fourth Plain Forward

Photography: Sara Sjol for PSAA