Restore Oregon is thrilled to announce a partnership with local artist and conservator Kate Powell. Over the course of the last several months, Kate has created stunning watercolor paintings of several of Oregon’s Most Endangered Places. These evocative and colorful pieces will be auctioned at the Restoration Celebration on Friday, November 11 at the Sentinel Hotel in downtown Portland.
Kate’s personal and professional story is a chronicle of a life lived for beauty, place, and design.
Now a practicing object conservator and artist, Kate’s career began as an architect in Southern California. After nine years in the field, she began to teach architectural design, industry best practices, project management, as well as serving as a guest critic and lecturer at several well-regarded universities.
Ten years ago, Kate and her husband Mitchell picked up and headed north to Portland. Together, they founded MPF Conservation an outstanding restoration and conservation outfit, situated in North Portland.
Together, they specialize in the restoration, conservation and preservation of upholstered and non-upholstered objects, textiles, keepsakes, and interior architectural elements for both private and institutional clientele.
Kate and Mitchell attended the 2015 Restoration Celebration, and our staff was blown away by her timeline-like watercolor portrayal of the evenings activities. From the champagne reception and Ishtvan’s musical accompaniment, to Oregon’s Most Endangered Places and DeMuro Award winners – her eye caught every detail and we knew that we must showcase her work.
Together we decided the best way to highlight Kate’s artistic work was to highlight Restore Oregon’s preservation work.
You can preview some of her outstanding creations here, and bid on taking them home with you at the Restoration Celebration taking place on Friday, November 11 at the Sentinel Hotel in downtown Portland. We hope to see you there!
