CITY COUNCIL TESTIMONY

On December 9th, Willamette Light Brigade Executive Director Alisha Sullivan addressed the Portland City Council at the Art and Economy Committee meeting. She shared how art, light and strategic partnerships are helping rebuild civic pride, reactivate downtown and shape Portland’s identity at night.

Thank you to Chairs Councilor Dan Ryan and Councilor Mitch Green, and the committee members, for hosting this conversation and for their commitment to our city’s creative and economic vitality. We are deeply grateful that they see the importance of this work!

Watch the full presentation here.

Harnessing the Power of Art to Transform the Cityscape

Alisha opened by grounding the committee in the mission of the Willamette Light Brigade:

To enrich the public realm by harnessing the power of art and artful lighting to transform the cityscape.

That mission lives through two core programs: The Portland Winter Light Festival, a free, citywide event that draws hundreds of thousands each February; and the Bridge Lighting Program, a partnership with Multnomah County that began in the 1980s.

Together, these programs touch on the power of placemaking and help define the nighttime identity of Portland.

A City Full of Life, Even in Winter

Alisha emphasized that in winter, our city’s darkest, loneliest time of year, the Light Festival provides something essential: connection, joy and a reason to gather.

Every week we hear stories that reinforce its value. Recently, a woman shared through tears that she discovered the Festival on her walk home from work when she had just moved to Portland: “I didn’t know anyone yet, but suddenly I was surrounded by color, people and art. I felt like I had found my people.”

The emotional impact is powerful, and so is the data. The Festival saw attendance of 253,000 in 2025 and had an estimated economic impact of over $9 million. 229 free public art installations and 83 free performances showcased the creative work of 586 artists and performers. Artwork was displayed at 128 locations, including activating 38 empty storefronts. 

Illuminate Bridge City: A Vision for Portland’s Waterfront

Alisha shared the Willamette Light Brigade’s next chapter. Illuminate Bridge City is the WLB’s initiative to light Portland’s iconic downtown bridges in dynamic, programmable art-led LEDs. Imagine color that shifts with seasons, celebrations and city milestones; a skyline that tells stories; and national broadcasts that show Portland’s bridges glowing during major events.

It is an ambitious, catalytic vision that touches foot traffic, waterfront vitality, tourism and civic pride.

The WLB is actively building the Master Plan that will guide this work, rooted in feasibility, collaboration with Multnomah County bridge engineers, ecological responsibility and an economic impact analysis by ECOnorthwest. 

Art Is More Than “Nice to Have”

Alisha ended with a reminder: Art and play are not extras. They are essential to our city’s creative and civic vitality. Art is a transformative force for joy, economic activity, identity and belonging.

We are grateful to the City Council and the Art and Economy Committee for hosting Alisha and for recognizing the power of this work!

The Most Portland Moment You’ll See All Week

If you needed one more reminder of why this city is Cool As Hell: three inflatable frogs showed up to City Council—perfectly timed with the moment our festival was mentioned. Portland, don’t ever change. Because of course this city never misses an opportunity to go viral for the weirdest possible reason, the clip is now trending everywhere — making Alisha (algorithmically speaking) Portland Famous.