Internationally recognized Miami-based artist Dana Donaty talks about her unique process in creating an intoxicating mix of monstrous party animals and humans on canvas.  Her unmistakeable satirical lexicon is a perfect collision of the grotesque, outlandish burlesque, psychological flirtation and a super charged palette that is like a party about to get thoroughly out of control.

Join the Brazilian Happiness Coach and founder of the Portland Happiness Center, Rodrigo Baena, as he shares an inspiring quick talk on the happiness of doing things you think you have to.

Lindsey Freysinger will share her experience with the healing nature of being outdoors after becoming disabled. She will be exploring the necessity of being in nature for ALL humans, especially those with illness and/or disability.

Classically trained opera singer and music historian, May Arden joins us for a special PechaKucha live performance.

Sex Educator, Amory Jane, will be talking about needs versus desires as they relate to sex and intimacy. She'll discuss libido, different styles of desire (e.g. spontaneous and responsive), and whether or not there is really a sex drive (and if sex can be considered a need). This presentation goes beyond the classic research, and includes the most up to date science on human sexuality, along with fascinating info from Emily Nagoski's best-selling book Come As You Are.

Modern life is often a war between needs and desires. We know we should make a healthy dinner. But we order take-out anyway. We calendar in a workout, but skip it when someone invites us to happy hour. But what if it didn’t always come down to needs vs. desires? What if we somehow got ourselves to a place where they became nearly the same thing? Monica Metz will discuss the mysterious microbiome within you, and why what you do and eat today will affect what you crave tomorrow.

Dayna McErlean has a unique voice within Portland’s vibrant food metropolis. As a founding member of Portland’s coveted restaurant community, McErlean is owner of eternally popular — fine dining, artfully hip and casual food spots DOC, Nonna Tavern and Yakuza. All distinct cinematic spaces known for amazing food. As a “non chef” owner with an extensive background in fine art, McErlean’s focus is on creating cinematic spaces that make patrons feel as though they are being transported to a distant time and place. It is no small feat that she has been able to do this working with some of Portland’s most innovative chefs cultivating some of the city’s most coveted yet accessible food.

Once basic survival needs are met, an enriched wellness of all living beings can follow. This is the world we most desire to see. But half the human population still lives on less than $4 per day, and the bottom 15% subsists on $500 per year. If you're above the poverty line in America, you're among that other 15%, the wealthiest in the world by birth lottery. So, to create the world we desire most, shouldn't we first aspire to meet the basic needs of those most circumstancial trapped, and to do so as effectively as we can?  will explore those issues with you in this presentation.

Sarah Mumtaz did her Bachelors in Printmaking in 2005 and later did her Masters in Visual arts in 2010 both from National College of Art. She started her practice with printmaking and later adding embroidery, photomontages to her work practice. During her Masters she introduces herself to completely different
medium, which was performed. Later she went back to her basics and
started drawings again so now her work is basically an amalgam of
embroidery, performance and drawing.