| Santa Clones | |
|---|---|
 Part of the display in 2024 | |
| Artist | Chris Willis |
| Location | Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
Santa Clones is an annual Christmas display by Chris Willis in Portland, Oregon, United States. [1] The display featured hundreds of Santa Claus statues and the location is different each year. Willis started the project in the early 2010s and the size of his collection of statues has grown over time.
The installation includes approximately 400 illuminating statues of Santa Claus made by Empire Plastics Corporation. [2] Clues for the display's location are shared by the artist on social media. [3] [4] The display has been installed throughout Portland over the years, from downtown to the north, northwest, and southeast parts of the city. [2]
Artist and designer [5] Chris Willis installed the display for the first time in an empty storefront on East Burnside Street in 2010 or 2011, [2] with approximately 150–200 statues. [6] [7] According to KOIN, Willis "was inspired to create an installation that resembled the Terracotta Warriors or Andy Warhol pop art – something with a lot of repetition". [6] The display was not installed during 20122014, as Willis was unable to secure a space. [8] Another year the display was installed in a friend's yard; for privacy purposes, Willis shared clues to find the statues instead of giving a specific address. [2] The 2017 display was installed in downtown Portland and had 350 statues. [3]
In 2020, the display in Westmoreland [9] had expanded to approximately 400 statues. Willis added face masks to the statues during the COVID-19 pandemic. [2] [10] The 2021 display was installed in the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood. [9] A real estate company invited Willis to use an available space in southeast Portland in 2022. [6] [11] [12] In 2023, Willis added two large paintings by Terence Healy and multiple graphic prints to the display, which was installed in southeast Portland. [7] [13] [14] In 2024, Willis displayed approximately one third of the statues at Gigantic Brewing ahead of the main installation. The display was to commemorate the brewery's collaboration with Weird Portland United on the Santa Clones Winter Warmer beer. Willis's collection has grown to approximately 450 statues. [15]
KATU is a television station in Portland, Oregon, United States, affiliated with ABC. It is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group alongside La Grande–licensed Univision affiliate KUNP. The two stations share studios on Northeast Sandy Boulevard in Portland; KATU's transmitter is located in the Sylvan-Highlands section of the city.
KPTV is a television station in Portland, Oregon, United States, affiliated with the Fox network. It is owned by Gray Television alongside Vancouver, Washington–licensed MyNetworkTV affiliate KPDX. Both stations share studios on NW Greenbrier Parkway in Beaverton, while KPTV's transmitter is located in the Sylvan-Highlands section of Portland.
Thompson Elk Fountain, also known as the David P. Thompson Fountain, David P. Thompson Monument, Elk Fountain, the Thompson Elk, or simply Elk, was a historic fountain and bronze sculpture by American artist Roland Hinton Perry. The fountain with its statue was donated to the city of Portland, Oregon, United States, in 1900 for display in Downtown Portland's Plaza Blocks. It was owned by the City of Portland.
The Promised Land is a bronze sculpture by David Manuel that was formerly installed in Chapman Square, in Portland, Oregon. The sculpture, erected in 1993, depicts a pioneer family at the end of their journey. It was removed from public display in 2020 in response to vandalism and racial justice concerns during the George Floyd protests.
On Tuesday, May 17, 2016, an election was held in Portland, Oregon, to elect the mayor. Ted Wheeler was elected after garnering 54% of the primary vote. Incumbent mayor Charlie Hales did not seek a second term.
Cathedral Park is a city park in the eponymous neighborhood of northern Portland, Oregon, on the east shore of the Willamette River. The park is situated under the St. Johns Bridge, and was given its name due to the pointed arches that support the bridge, which resemble those in Gothic cathedrals.
Human Access Project (HAP) is an organization based in Portland, Oregon, whose mission is "transforming Portland's relationship with the Willamette River". The organization's vision is a city in love with its river. HAP was founded by Willie Levenson, whose official title is the organization's Ringleader, is a tireless and effective advocate for swimming in the Willamette River he brings his love of water to his work as an activist for recreational access to the Willamette River in Portland.
Kells Irish Pub is a pub in Portland, Oregon, United States.
Cart Blocks is a food cart pod in Portland, Oregon's Ankeny Square, in the United States. It is operated by Friends of the Green Loop.
Silver Dollar Pizza is a pizzeria and sports bar in Portland, Oregon.
Reo's Ribs is a barbecue and soul food restaurant in Portland, Oregon.
Pip's Original Doughnuts & Chai, or simply Pip's Original, is a doughnut shop with two locations in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. In addition to the original location in northeast Portland, the company operates in Beaverton, as of 2023. Nate Snell is a co-owner.
Mike Bennett is an American visual artist based in Portland, Oregon. He studied art education and has worked as a preschool teacher.
In Portland, Oregon, Christmas trees have been installed at Pioneer Courthouse Square annually since the public space opened in 1984. The trees have been donated by Stimson Lumber Company since 2002, and are delivered the week of Veterans Day. With some exceptions, the trees are 75-foot-tall Douglas firs, decorated with thousands of multi-colored LED lights.
In the American city of Portland, Oregon, pedestrian crossings are managed by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT). There are fewer crosswalks on the city's east side, compared to downtown Portland and centrally located neighborhoods.
Coraline's Curious Cat Trail was a temporary art installation in Portland, Oregon, United States. The series featured 31 fiberglass statues of cats decorated by various artists, inspired by the 2009 animated film Coraline, which were installed across the city during August 2 – October 13, 2024. Following public display, the sculptures were auctioned off, with proceeds benefiting Oregon Health & Science University's Doernbecher Children's Hospital. The project was a collaborative effort by the hospital, Laika, Downtown Portland Clean and Safe, Visit Downtown, and art installation producer Wild in Art. The final designs were selected from 80 submissions. Sponsors included The Oregonian and Wieden+Kennedy.
Wonderwood is an immersive art installation space with an adjoining coffee shop called Wonderwood Springs, in Portland, Oregon, United States. Artist Mike Bennett opened both spaces in north Portland's St. Johns neighborhood in 2022. The art installation space was converted into the nine-hole miniature golf course Wonderwood Springs Mini-Golf in 2024.
The Portland Winter Ice Rink is an ice rink, temporarily installed during winter months in Portland, Oregon, United States. Prosper Portland launched the project for the 2023–2024 season, and popular demand prompted the economic development organization to organize the rink again for the 2024–2025 season.
Weird Portland United is a nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Brian Kidd, who is known as the Unipiper, founded the collective in 2018 in an effort to "Keep Portland Weird".
There are many ways in which the Christian holiday of Christmas is celebrated in the American city of Portland, Oregon. Annual traditions include the Christmas Ships Parade, Peacock Lane, the Pioneer Courthouse Square Christmas tree, and the art installation Santa Clones. The city hosts many other displays, concerts, and other performances related to Christmas annually.
