Save OCAC, Save Portland?

18 years ago I got into my car, with all that I owned (which was not much) and drove across our country to enroll in a school called Oregon College of Art and Craft. I had applied to many schools the year prior but Oregon, Portland specifically, was a unique place. Unlike any other college/place I had visited, it was clear to me Portland embraced a counter culture of progressive, innovative and artistic people. OCAC was a refuge for those who craved a more meaningful, respectful and intimate relationship to themselves and the world around them.
I expected to go for 2 years to learn furniture design. I went for 4 years and learned furniture design, woodworking, metalsmithing, jewelry design, bookmaking, installation art, painting and drawing, ceramics and most of all I learned how to make valuable decisions as to what I would like to contribute to this world.
Thoughtful design, interpretation and creation is powerful. The world can be a very intimate space with close and meaningful relationships - from our morning coffee mug to our favorite chair. The design and craft of art is all encompassing. It affects every aspect of life. Aesthetics are  a functional basic need in our existence.
The announcement about the closing of OCAC is disturbing. Sad yes, disturbing even more so. Where are Portland's values? WHAT are Portland's values? With high-rises and cookie cutter condos now surrounding us, I wonder, where did that cultural city I moved to go? Did we forget that design is the basis of structure in society? That is the least we could recognize, if anything.
Alumni and students all have something in common. We discovered a voice there. We discovered a truth and harmony in making something that was worthy. We discovered ourselves and found ourselves in other people. We discovered connection, community and confidence that we were right for the world and belonged. We had something to say and we were valuable there.
Please help keep Oregon College of Art and Craft alive. It is a special place of a world with intention that is lacking in our present day living. #saveOCAC #savecraft #savePortlandart #savePortlandcraft

Visit: 
http://saveocac.org/
http://www.portlandart.net/
https://ocac.edu/