SPURRKLAND BY GIFTYKITTY

📸 Therese Gietler
Cats, Sparkles, and Community Impact

Spurrkland was inspired by the Festival theme, All The Little Things, and Clody’s lifelong love of cats. Her goal: to create a space where visitors can experience wonder and whimsy, a moment of pure delight in the middle of winter. From shimmering sparkles to joyful sounds, every detail is designed to invite play, curiosity, and a sense of magic.

That joy doesn’t stay inside the installation. Each year, Spurrkland ripples out into Portland’s neighborhoods, helping connect people to the festival—and to local businesses. For Clody, the Festival is more than an artistic opportunity; it’s a way to grow her small business, attract new customers, build community connections, and open doors to opportunities she might not reach on her own.

📸 courtesy of the artist
MEOWGIC IN ACTION

Visitors to Spurrkland find themselves immersed in a glittery dreamworld where every spinning cat head and sparkling detail encourages delight. Soft purrs, joyful kitty sounds, and atmospheric music create a warm, inviting vibe that sparks smiles from children and adults alike. For Clody, the most rewarding moments come from seeing visitors’ faces glow, the very reason she built GiftyKitty: to spread joy.

Portrait of Clody Cates 📸 Jimmy Bager
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026

For the upcoming Portland Winter Light Festival, Clody and the GiftyKitty community are ready to expand Spurrkland’s glittery universe. Be sure to step inside, explore the whimsy, and see firsthand how a small business and a playful artistic vision can light up the city and hearts alike.

GiftyKitty on N Mississippi Avenue 📸 Amrik Kerketta

GiftyKitty
3719 N Mississippi Ave

A community-powered event

Thanks to support from individuals like you- families, local businesses, art-lovers, community partners and sponsors, the Light Festival exists. 

Contributions help:

  • Present over 200 FREE light-based art installations and performances citywide
  • Support emerging and established artists with stipends and production resources
  • Activate public spaces, small businesses and vacant storefronts during winter
  • Create inclusive, family-friendly experiences that welcome people of all ages
Keep the Lights On & the Art Alive – Support the Festival!

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