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We. Construct. Marvels. Between. Monuments., the year-long series of exhibitions that have taken over the top floor of the Jubitz Center for Modern and Contemporary Art, has been one of the most exciting projects that the Portland Art Museum has committed its name to. It has not only opened up a small corner of the institution to the ideas of local organizations and creators, but also created space for queer artists, trans artists, and artists with disabilities.

Monuments., the final exhibit, is the most unexpected part of the series. Conceived by Deep Underground, a collective that supports artists of color in Portland, the presentation puts the spotlight on Sun Ra, the Afro-futurist jazz musician.

Robert Ham is the Mercury's former Copy Chief. He writes regularly about music, film, arts, sports, and tech. He lives semi-consciously in far SE Portland with his wife, child, and four ornery cats.