For the past few years, the Mercury's Fall Arts Preview has dealt with the pandemic, bouncing back from the pandemic, if things could be normal now after the pandemic, and if the pandemic is over. 

Is the pandemic over? Yes and no, dear readers. The World Health Organization says COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency, but no one's ready to say it's not a pandemic. We're just going to have to live with complicated truths. And art will help you do that.

Furthermore, we're actually about to deal with something noisy enough to take our minds off the pandemic. We are descending into the 2024 election cycle crevasse. It's icy, cavernous, and everyone keeps acting like we can't understand ranked choice voting. You'd better believe you'll need some crampons. Art will be your crampons. 

The US stands a flying chance at electing its first woman president. And if she doesn't win we're getting four more years of former president Donald Trump who someone actually tried to assassinate in July. [Trump seemed in favor of political assassinations when it came to his former vice president. -eds] So people are, quite rightfully, in their feelings about this one. And art is going to help you with that, too.

Am I starting a cult? It kind of sounds like it, but I can't take credit for this idea. Using art to process the world around us predates the practice of using art to get attention and be called a genius.

In 2018, author and artist consultant Beth Pickens said something that left an impression on me. "I don’t have any sort of art practice,” she said, “but I need a lot of art."

Without even realizing it, you probably use certain songs to exercise, to relax, or to fall asleep. You might have a poster or portrait that you look at for strength; it could even be on your phone screen. There's an outfit you wear for luck or power, and shows you saw that made you feel closer to your friends. 

Art slides in and pushes all the joy buttons that make us feel seen. It changes our mind, opens our perspectives, or just reminds us we aren't alone.

Pick up a print copy of our Fall Arts Guide at any of these 500+ locations in the Portland area!

This guide contains the lowdown on art made locally, art flown in from far away, art collected throughout a long life of loving art, and much more. There's advice on art to go with your job, recipes to go with group living, and exciting shows to check out this fall.

To get through this mess we'll need a lot of art, but Portland has more than enough to fill your prescription.

Suzette Smith
Mercury Arts & Culture Editor