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Milwaukie Lights Walk 2025–2026

2025-2026 Theme: Glow With the Flow

December 6, 2025 – March 31, 2026

Milwaukie Lights Walk is an annual community event that transforms our downtown streets into an immersive winter lights art walk. This beloved tradition brings together artists, businesses, and the community to create a vibrant, walkable experience full of imagination, wonder, and creativity.

This year’s Lights Walk is made possible through the collaboration of the Milwaukie Arts Foundation, Milwaukie Parks Foundation, Downtown Alliance of Milwaukie (DAM), and dedicated City of Milwaukie staff. Together, we’re lighting up downtown to celebrate art, inspire joy, and create safer, brighter public spaces for all.

By showcasing the work of local and regional artists, the Milwaukie Lights Walk strengthens our downtown as a destination—inviting residents and visitors alike to stroll, explore, and experience how public art can transform urban spaces.

2025-2026 Installations:

Geo-Jelly

The Geo-Jelly is a 6' wide and 8' tall geodesic jellyfish imagined and created by local artist Carrie Baranowski and purpose built for this years MLW. In final permit approvals currently, keep an eye on the skies around downtown for this floating piece to land soon. With a stained glass styled dome we recommend both day and night visits to see the glowing colors and lights in the skies and on the grounds around it. More information to come soon....

Glowing Rivers - Max Station

In keeping with the Glow with the Flow theme, Glowing Rivers (working title) uses projection to light up the south stairs of our Max station creating the feeling of a flowing river. Final programing and installations are wrapping up soon, keep your eyes out for our newest river in downtown as it hit's the streets, or steps, soon...

Milwaukie Bay Park Redwood

The lighting of the large coastal redwood in Milwaukie Bay Park is a joint effort between Matt Schilling, Milwaukie Parks Foundation, and DAM. Though not a direct submission to MLW, it represents well the values of using light and art to inspire imagination and get folks looking up. The project has been referred to as Milwaukie's bat signal to let the public know when there is something happening in the bay and downtown. It will be programmed throughout the year with different themes and effects. The initial project is slated to run for 2 years; longer if funding is committed to maintain and keep the project running.

Matt Schilling is the mastermind behind the design and the programmer behind the display. You may know Matt's art from Schilling Lights on Lark, https://linktr.ee/schillinglightsonlark, voted as one of the most visited light art displays in the Portland area and another example of Milwaukie's talented light artists. Located at 15909 SE Lark Ave, Milwaukie, OR 97267, visitors can tune into the the radio station to hear the songs the lights are programed to and to request songs. Matt is also the light and programming artists for Bing in the New Years Bing Cherry used in the Bing Drop.

For more information on either installations or to talk to Matt about a commissioned piece, email mschilling99@gmail.com

Dimensional Dreams: Crystallography

Dimensional Dreams: Crystallography is an interactive illuminated art piece installed at That One Vintage in Downtown Milwaukie. Named after the study of crystalline structures of elements and molecules, Crystallography is an artistic representation of snowflakes and ice crystals. As water and dust freezes into snowflakes, the delicate structures it forms can be mesmerizing to watch. Made of multiple layers of etched acrylic, Crystallography is edge lit by hundreds of LEDs, creating an illusion of a snowflake forming, growing, and melting. The project is controlled by waving your hand in front of it to change the colors and patterns of lights. Dimensional Dreams: Crystallography fits well into this year's theme 'Glow With The Flow' fits with it's mesmerizing glow of lights that ebb and flow as the viewer observes.

Artist’s statement: Named after the study of crystalline structures of elements and molecules, Crystallography is an artistic representation of snowflakes and ice crystals. As

water and dust freezes into snowflakes, the delicate structures it forms can be mesmerizing to watch. Made of multiple layers of etched acrylic, Crystallography is edge

lit by hundreds of LEDs, creating an illusion of a snowflake forming, growing, and melting.

Artist’s bio: Becca Priddy is a self-taught artist and maker who transforms light, space, and materials into experiences that spark curiosity and delight. Her immersive and

interactive installations blend hand-built craftsmanship and LEDs, inviting audiences to step into moments of wonder, play, and connection. A two-time Editor’s Choice award

winner at Maker Faire, her work has illuminated the Portland Winter Light Festival, SOAK, and Burning Man, turning ordinary spaces into extraordinary experiences.

Rooted in a background in education, Becca approaches each project with a collaborative and inclusive spirit. She believes that art has the power to connect communities, ignite imagination, and inspire people to see the world, and themselves, in new, unexpected ways.

Learn more about the artist at https://www.dimensionaldreamsproject.com/

DALA by Skillcraft - Key Bank Plaza

The Dala horse is a Swedish traditional toy or decoration and is a symbol of strength, wisdom, and good luck. Woodsmen would pass the long, dark evening hours by the fireside carving these figurines from fresh wood to give as gifts during the winter months. In Scandinavia, hygge is the idea of comfort and coziness, like lazily reading a book under a blanket on a rainy day or candles and firelight surrounded by loved ones sipping cocoa. The artist hopes the Dala installation will inspire cozy days for Milwaukie this winter.

Skillcraft Institute has brought together students from local schools and volunteers to learn about sustainability in manufacturing and put ideas into action by reclaiming discarded pallet wood and using salvaged wood from local deconstruction sites and scrap material from fabrication companies that would otherwise be destined for the landfill.

Skillcraft Institute was founded in Portland in 2024 to provide resources, education and opportunities for young people seeking creative, fulfilling and sustainable careers. They work collaboratively with other organizations to provide programming focused on life and job skill development for under-served youth with a focus on manufacturing, design and fabrication. The organization started with a goal to spotlight Portland’s thriving creative build industry and show the path to meaningful hands-on work in such fields as architecture, engineering, art, design, film, animation, fabrication and more. They run public workshops for youth and adults ranging from woodworking to STEAM and each spring and summer host intensives for graduating high school seniors wanting to explore the workforce through on-the-job learning and internships. Skillcraft Institute also values cross-generational, cross-gender and cross-cultural community building through mentorship and volunteerism. Throughout the year they have service project opportunities and ongoing public art projects.

Nicholas Maier, the founder, has spent the last decade working with the fine folks at Matchless Builds and volunteering in the anti-human trafficking movement.

Build. Community.

Learn more about Skillcraft and the great work they do on their website at https://skillcraft.institute/

Downtown Storefronts

Have you noticed a little more sparkle and shine around our downtown storefronts this year? A huge thanks to Lynn Porta and Amanda McAdams for their efforts to brighten our downtown and sidewalks. See their handiwork and installations throughout downtown and at locations such as: Wind Horse Cafe, Shalena Haven's Wellness Center, Libbie's Restaurant, and vacant storefronts around town.

Lynn Porta is the driving force behind DAM's storefront decoration contests and a talented local artists.

Amanda McAdams is DAM's Treasurer and local artists behind such projects as Little Float Milwaukie (and the art for it's now famous posters).

Call for Artist Submissions

We are now accepting proposals and installations for the 2025–2026 Milwaukie Lights Walk. Artists are invited to submit pieces that align with this year’s theme: Glow With the Flow.

Submission Guidelines:

Preference will be given to installations that are:

Engaging and dynamic
Weatherproof and suitable for outdoor installation for 3 months (shorter durations considered if noted)
Mountable on tension cable, light posts, trees, roofs, or building facades
Preferred maximum weight: 200 lbs
Freestanding installations (limited space available in Milwaukie Bay Park; weight and bases negotiable)
Paying homage to Milwaukie and its history
Created in mediums that are visible in the dark and can be programmed or turned on/off at designated times (LED, traditional lights, projection art preferred)
Supported by artists who are willing to maintain their piece throughout the duration of the walk

How to Apply

Please complete the following and submit to DowntownAllianceofMilwaukie@gmail.com

Description of your light art piece and how it connects to this year’s theme.
- Approximate dimensions
- Installation weight
- Power and/or maintenance requirements
- Mounting method
- Designed for outdoor winter weather installation: Yes/No
  - If shorter, please list availability
Photos/videos of existing pieces, or sketch/rendering for new concepts.
Artist’s statement (1–2 paragraphs).
Artist’s bio (2–3 paragraphs).

Equity & Inclusion

Though the Lights Walk is not an official City event, it is guided by the City of Milwaukie’s Equity Statement:

Milwaukie’s community vision describes a future that is entirely equitable, delightfully livable, and completely sustainable. This means all people feel welcome, have access to a healthy environment, and have the resources and services they need to thrive by 2040. To achieve that vision, we need to make all of our decisions in a thoughtful, intentional way.

Join Us in Lighting Up Milwaukie

This winter, help us spark imagination, encourage foot traffic, increase safety through added lighting, and celebrate the unique creativity of our community. Together, we can transform Milwaukie’s downtown into a glowing canvas for wonder and connection.

For questions or submissions, email: DowntownAllianceofMilwaukie@gmail.com