Community Art at the Historic Belmont Firehouse
The Historic Belmont Firehouse is home to some significant community art pieces. Please take the time to learn about these as you visit or explore the facility. We are very proud of our connection to the community and the opportunity to present these pieces of art that connect safety and service to the citizens of Portland and our visitors.
"Strength Of Amercia" Bronze Sculpture
by Rip Caswell
The "Strength Of America" is a unique artpiece inspired by the events of September 11, 2001. Artist Rip Caswell (Caswell Galleries of Troutdale, Oregon) envisioned this piece on September 12th and began work on it. A citizen group, looking for a way to memorialize good friend and New York Firefighter Eugene Whelan, teamed up with Rip to seek community and financial support for the project. Three smaller versions of the Strength of America were donated to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, New York, New York, and the Pentagon, communities that were impacted by the tragedies of that day. The large version rests on the plaza in front of the Historic Belmont Firehouse.
The sculpture contains the names of the 570 service professionals who lost their lives that day. This includes the fire department, police department, port authority, emergency medical services, and Army/Navy personnel at the Pentagon. These were the people prompted to action at a time when others needed their help.
The sculpture is rich with symbolism. The rescue worker climbing from the rubble represents all rescuers on that day. He is moving from the jagged, monochrome, and turbulent rubble to a flowing and colorful destination. He has determination on his face as he suppresses evil, repesented in the serpent. The serpent is pulling against the American flag, battling our national symbol, the Bald Eagle, yet the eagle is prevailing as it take flight. He holds before him a lantern of hope for a brighter tomorrow. It leads him from the devastation of the prior day. At his feet sits the helmet of Firefighter Eugene Whelan, a symbol of all who were lost that day, particularly the firefighters who were lost in unprecedented numbers (343).
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"Freedom" Oil Painting
by Cao Yong
"Freedom" is an oil painting donated to the Historic Belmont Firehouse in 2005. It was created by Cao Yong, a Chinese man who escaped the persecution of his homeland, China. His paintings were confiscated by the government and his well-being was threatened. He escaped China in 1989 and eventually immigrated to the United States. He was inspired by the free-spirited American people and the diverse and energetic society.
"Freedom is about the spirit of liberty, about the dream of peace, about the universality of love, about the power of determination, and, last but not least, about the hope of mankind. This painting demonstrates my belief that the spirit of freedom will tower upright on the wreckage of the World Trade Center, so that everyone who faces the scar will also find in it dignity and inspiration."
"Sunspot" Metal Sculpture
by Brian Borrello
"Sunspot" is an evocation of the sun in neon and aluminum. It was created by Brian Borrello in 1997 and was part of the Belmont Business District Plan. Today, it is overseen by the Belmont Area Business Association and provides an icon for the Belmont/Sunnyside communities. Sunspot can be found on the East wall of the Historic Belmont Firehouse.
