The Return of the Thompson Elk Fountain: The Restoration, the Film, the Comic Book

On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in anticipation of the Thompson Elk Fountain’s mid-April reinstallation, join Design Portland and the Portland Parks Foundation for an evening of all things elk!

Doors open at 5:30pm (with Elk Cove Vineyards), program starts at 6pm. Reception kicks off at 7:30pm.

The Restoration: Maya Foty, Principle with Architectural Resource Group, offers an inside look at the masterful restoration and renewal – and the complications, time, and expense -- of bringing back a 125-year-old work of art and infrastructure.

The Film: Erika Bolstad’s “The Elk” documents the fall and the rise of the first of the city’s damaged monuments to return, and the only sculpture without controversy. She will share clips and background on her 29-minute film exploring the divided perceptions over why the elk went away and what it means for the dinged but refurbished symbol to finally return.

The Comic: T Edward Bak, cartoonist, and Shawna Gore, editor, will talk about the creation of “The People’s Elk,” a 24-page comic on the history of David P. Thompson and many rich expressions of free speech and changing culture that unfolded around the Elk over its century-plus time at the city’s center. The first copies of the comic will be available.

This event will take place in-person at JK Gill Building, 408 SW Fifth Ave.

For more information and to purchase a ticket, visit Design Portland’s Eventbrite. General admission tickets are $25. Students may attend for free.