Public Appeal For The Return Of Stolen "Keep Portland Weird" Cat Statue -09/21/24
Statue on Portland's Coraline's Curious Cat Trail Goes Missing
Portland, OR – September 21, 2024
Portland Metro Chamber and Downtown Portland Clean & Safe are issuing a public appeal for the safe return of a nearly six-foot-tall cat statue from Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail in downtown Portland (see photos below).
The "Keep Portland Weird" cat was stolen from its location at Tom McCall Waterfront Park near Saturday Market between the evening of Friday, September 19th and the early morning hours of Saturday, September 20th.
“Keep Portland Weird” was created and designed by local artist Celeste Potgieter and is one of 30 statues displayed along the trail in various locations around the city as part of a charitable effort supporting OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, a renowned academic pediatric hospital that has been serving the Pacific Northwest since 1926.
Thousands of locals and fans of LAIKA’s beloved film Coraline have visited the trail since it opened. These statues are all slated for public auction on October 30th with funds to benefit the hospital.
“While we understand this project has created quite a buzz around our downtown and beyond, each of these unique pieces of art are part of a much larger fundraising effort for OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital,” says Sydney Mead, Senior Director of Downtown Programs for Downtown Portland Clean & Safe. “We ask for the safe return of this cat statue so we can continue supporting this important cause. Despite this unfortunate incident, the citizens of Portland have been exceptional caretakers of this art trail. We are grateful for those who continue to support this one-of-a-kind project in our city,” Mead concludes.
If you have any information, please contact representatives of Portland Metro Chamber or Downtown Portland Clean & Safe at smead@portlandalliance.com or mwells@portlandalliance.com.
Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail will remain open until October 13th.
Here are images of the missing cat statue:
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Portland Metro Chamber
The Portland Metro Chamber was founded in 1870 and represents the largest, most diverse business network in the region. The Chamber brings together more than 2,300 members represented by dynamic and varied employers from around the region. Grounded in its mission to create opportunity and advance well-being for all who live and work in the greater Portland and SW Washington region, the Chamber envisions a healthy and resilient business ecosystem where we work together to increase collaboration in governance; engage community; increase civic leadership; and, advocate for a vibrant, livable place for all. Learn more at PortlandMetroChamber.com.
Downtown Portland Clean & Safe District
The Downtown Portland Clean & Safe District was established in 1988 to support additional cleaning and security in a 213 block-area of Portland’s Central City. In addition to these important services, the district supports market research, retail recruitment and retention for Downtown Portland. The district is managed by the Portland Business Alliance under the direction of the district’s board of directors. Learn more at cleanandsafepdx.com.