Following a public call for artists, new artwork is coming to OC42 and Home Forward’s adjacent affordable housing community, chaku kumtuks haws. Together, the two partners are bringing artwork to both spaces that reflects the people they serve and creates a stronger sense of belonging.

For ¶¶Òõ¸£Àûµ¼º½ Project Specialist Sherry Durfey, the project reflects one way the Office of Planning and Construction (OPC) supports new and renovated spaces across the college. Along with managing the design and construction of capital projects, OPC oversees the public art selection process for eligible projects – bringing together community voices, project partners, and local artists to create spaces that feel welcoming and connected.

“Art in a space can provide a non-verbal way to communicate a space’s intended use,” Durfey said. “We hope visitors notice the art and feel welcomed before they even engage with anyone in these spaces.”

OC42 serves as a hub for workforce training, education, and community services, while Home Forward’s neighboring chaku kumtuks haws provides affordable housing with on-site early learning, community gathering spaces, and other resident amenities. Because the two share a common mission, they are also sharing a vision for public art that creates a welcoming experience across both sites.

For ¶¶Òõ¸£Àûµ¼º½ construction projects of this scale, one percent of the construction budget is reserved for the public art procurement process. An art selection committee – including building users, ¶¶Òõ¸£Àûµ¼º½ faculty, project staff, community partners, and design professionals – works together to develop the values and goals for the public art commission prior to artist proposals. The committee then evaluates submitted proposals and selects artwork that reflects the values and goals of the communities represented in each space.

“We hoped to reach artists from Northeast Portland and the Cully neighborhood,” Durfey said. “It’s important that the art be representative of the people who work in these spaces, visit for educational or social services, or simply pass by as part of their daily lives.”

For Durfey, one of the most meaningful parts of the process has been building relationships through a shared appreciation for community spaces.

“The satisfaction that comes from beautifying spaces is incredibly rewarding,” she said. “I hope people see something that feels familiar or meaningful to them – something that gives them a sense that they belong there or are in a safe place.”

As artwork is selected and installed, it will become another way OC42 and chaku kumtuks haws support the people who learn, work, live, and gather there – creating spaces that are as welcoming as they are functional.

As Operations Manager for ¶¶Òõ¸£Àûµ¼º½’s Office of Planning and Construction (OPC), Isabel supports the people, processes, and day-to-day operations that keep the department moving. While OPC manages improvement projects across the college, Isabel helps ensure team members have the resources they need to do their best work.

“I enjoy relieving stress for others by providing support,” she said. “I’m drawn to servant leadership—being an example, treating people how I would like to be treated, and supporting people in the ways they need, which is different for everyone.”

That philosophy closely aligns with one of OPC’s core values: stewardship. While the department serves as a steward of public resources, Isabel applies that same mindset to supporting the people behind the work.

Isabel’s people-first approach has shaped many of OPC’s workplace initiatives, including communication training and Culture Club, which offers opportunities for staff to connect outside of their day-to-day work through activities like lunch walks, potlucks, craft projects, and coffee breaks.

“Culture Club was created to increase morale and support connection and collaboration,” Isabel said. “I think people have enjoyed the opportunities we’ve provided to connect.”

As a certified professional coach, Isabel also brings a coaching mindset to her work. One of the biggest lessons she’s learned is the importance of listening before responding.

“Most people just want to be heard,” she said. “If we’re truly listening and responding to individual needs, it’s ultimately going to improve workplace culture as a whole.”

Outside of work, Isabel is also a creative writer, and she sees surprising parallels between writing and leadership. Just as a first draft is rarely the final version, she believes workplace processes should continue to evolve.

“The real work is in the revision,” she said. “Any new process or procedure can be considered trial and error. We’re always evaluating, adjusting, and improving.”

Above all, Isabel hopes every member of the OPC team feels they belong.

“When I first joined the department, I asked people what they needed most,” she said. “The answer I heard over and over was, ‘I just want to feel part of the team.’ That’s become my goal—to help people feel included, supported, and like they belong here.”

Whether she’s solving problems behind the scenes or creating opportunities for colleagues to connect, Isabel’s work helps build the collaborative culture that supports OPC’s projects—and the people who make them possible.