Oregon's only interactive singing mural
"It's Rainin' Love"
Visit the augmented reality mural on NW 6th and Couch in Old Town. Hold your phone up to the mural, and you'll see images come to life and hear voices singing "It's Rainin' Love."
Experience the augmented reality in 3 easy steps
Install the Artivive app
Open the app
View the mural through your smartphone
Learn more about the project
"I want to bring people back into the Old Town neighborhood, a kind of pilgrimage. This project is a reminder that there are people here, there are voices that matter, and there's love here."
– Crystal Meneses, Arts Organizer (Activate Arts)
Maybelle Center members and volunteers came together in mid-2022 to paint a mural on the outside of Badlands (formerly Embers, the iconic gay bar and dance club). Located in the heart of Old Town, the mural celebrates the rich LGBTQ history of the neighborhood and create relationships in every aspect of the project.
When you hold your phone up to the painted mural, animation will bring the images to life, and you'll hear the voices from Portland Lesbian Choir, Portland Gay Men's Chorus, and Maybelle Community Singers singing "It's Rainin' Love," an original song written to amplify the voices in Old Town.
It's more than a mural
Crystal Meneses, Arts Organizer
"This project is not just about putting a mural up on the wall or singing one song together; it's about creating the relationships that we need to support each other..."
Visual Direction
Ridan Arellano, Illustrator
"It was inspired by bright, bold colors, and quilts."
A collaboration of Activate Arts & Maybelle Center for Community
Meet the artists
The project is a partnership between Activate Arts and Maybelle Center for Community, who believe everyone has something to contribute. The large interdisciplinary team assembled by arts organizer Crystal Meneses is a model of how to create community in a post-pandemic world.
Ridan Arellano
Designer/Illustrator
"Being someone with overlapping identities, sometimes it's hard to find community. I want people to feel welcome and included when they see the mural...”
Garth Klippert
Director of Augmented Reality
"I think augmented reality is here to stay...It's almost like, starting from here, what's next?"
Crystal Meneses
Composer
"I wanted the song to be joyful and a call to action to allyship..."
Mary McCarty
Choir Director
"The day we got together for the rehearsal and recording session, I just think people were taken back by how many people were there from all three choirs..."
G Stewart
Animator
"It feels so special to be doing something I love so much, for a community I love so much..."
Beca Rasch
Choreographer
Beca’s brilliant choreography will be on display during our flashmob at our block party. We can’t wait!
PRESS
KPTV 12
Thank you to Ayo Elise for featuring our interactive singing mural on Good Day Oregon. You can check out the clip here, featuring interviews with Crystal (our project partner) and Babs (Maybelle Center member).
Oregonian
"You can dance under raindrops, even on a sunny summer day." What a delightful way to describe our interactive singing mural by Oregonian reporter Lizzy Acker.
KOIN 6
We're honored that our interactive singing mural was featured as one of KOIN 6 News' highlights of the weekend's Pride celebrations. Thank you, Kohr Harlan.
PSU Vanguard
Thank you, Kat Audrey Leon, for the lovely, in-depth article in the PSU Vanguard.