The Rose City Column (Portland, Oregon)

Beth Kerschen is a multi-disciplinary artist using photomontage to create cityscapes that reflect on community, culture, and urban life. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Colorado College in Colorado Springs, as one of the first students to exhibit digitally created art. Beth moved to Boston, MA to work for Polaroid then worked for ten years as a graphic designer with several creative firms in Boston, eventually moving to Portland, Oregon in 2008. Since that time, Kerschen has committed her life to capturing vast urban landscapes into one tangible image. She uses her photography, design, and illustration skills to turn urban landscapes into fantastical images filled with meaning and nostalgia. Her art explores and reflects on connections held by the landmarks, buildings, signage, graffiti, people, and events that are reflected in urban life and urban culture. She was awarded a Professional Development Grant from RACC (‘15) and a public art installation commission at the Portland International Airport (‘16). Her work has been held in a number of corporate and city collections, including two terms in the Mayor of Portland’s office. She has done a number of installation pieces for numerous residential buildings bolstering local identity. Clients include JupiterNEXT Hotel, the City of The Dalles, Heathman Hotel, Downtown Oregon City Assoc., Port of Portland, IFC (Portlandia t.v. series), REACH Community Development, Weird Portland United, and Facebook.