The Portrait Circle Project features photographic portraits of Rahab’s Sisters guests and volunteers, those who are housed and unhoused, marginalized and privileged. The collection is made up of neighbors, students, local business owners and Southeast Portland leaders, all of whom identify as women or gender nonconforming.
For over 15 years, Rahab’s Sisters has created community through radical hospitality in Southeast Portland, supported by volunteers who welcome guests with food, activities and unconditional welcome. This touring art exhibit includes 55 photographs taken at Rahab’s Sisters by photographer Briana Cerezo. Subjects are not identified by name or circumstances, but together the portraits underscore our commonalities and fight against the dehumanization of people living on the streets and in deep poverty. Included in the subjects are Oregon State Representative Alissa Keny-Guyer, Multnomah County Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson, and Multnomah County Commissioner Shusheela Jayapal.
1122 Gallery will host an opening reception on Thursday, August 15th from 6pm to 8pm and the portraits will remain on view through September. Photographer Briana Cerezo will be present at the reception to share her creative process behind the portraits.
This project was funded by SE Uplift through a Community and Civic Engagement Small Grant.
About Rahab’s Sisters Rahab’s Sisters creates community through radical hospitality with those marginalized by poverty, houselessness, sex work, violence and substance use. Every Friday we welcome women and gender nonconforming individuals to share a seated dinner, pick up needed hygiene supplies and join in community activities together. We connect with each other and build relationships that break down barriers and often challenge all of us to grow.
About Briana Cerezo Briana Cerezo is a professional photographer based in Portland, Oregon. She earned a BS degree (cum laude, 2003) in Human Development and Family Sciences from Oregon State University. Group photo exhibitions include Rumors (Wolff Gallery, 2019), We’re Always Touching By Underground Wires (Pushdot, Portland, OR, 2018), Now I am Myself (Wolff Gallery, Portland, OR, 2016) and inclusion in the Northwest Viewing Drawers (Blue Sky Gallery, Portland, OR, 2015). Briana is the creator of Humans of Portland, a solo project featuring over 500 photographic portraits and interviews of everyday people encountered on the streets of Portland, Oregon. In 2017 she was awarded an artist’s residency with Oregon Historical Society to interview and photograph members of diverse and marginalized populations throughout Oregon. She is a founding member of Small Talk, a collective of female photographic artists who work together and support one another in exhibiting, editing, exhibiting and publishing work .
