Something big is about to land in downtown Portland. Several things actually.
Following the runaway success of “Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail,” Portland leaders and artists are launching another larger-than-life creative adventure set to arrive in summer 2026.
This time, the spotlight shifts from whiskers to wings.
Dozens of crow sculptures, each 6 feet tall and individually designed by artists from Portland and across the Pacific Northwest, will be positioned throughout downtown as part of a free, self-guided art trail. Not that you’d mix it up with, obviously, the thousands of crows that take over downtown Portland every winter.
The new art installation is called “Wildwood: Follow the Crows.” The sculptures are inspired by LAIKA’s upcoming stop-motion film “Wildwood.” The trail will be part gallery, part scavenger hunt and part civic celebration. The installation encourages people to wander throughout the city to discover the art along walkways, plazas, parks and street corners.
Every crow will feature its own artistic style, transforming the entire experience into a sprawling open-air gallery.
The project is the result of a collaboration between LAIKA, OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Wild in Art, the Portland Metro Chamber and Downtown Portland Clean & Safe, with additional backing from the Visit Downtown Campaign.
Organizers say the effort is meant to do more than brighten sidewalks with creative displays. The trail is also designed to encourage exploration in the city’s core, bring visitors back to downtown, and raise funds to support pediatric healthcare.
Andrew Hoan, President and CEO of the Portland Metro Chamber, said in a press release that the crow-themed installation builds directly on the excitement generated by the earlier cat sculptures which drew tens of thousands of visitors to downtown Portland.
“After seeing the joy and energy that Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail brought to Downtown Portland, we knew we wanted to build on that momentum,” Hoan said. “Downtown pedestrian activity has been steadily increasing, with events and cultural experiences helping fuel that growth. ‘Wildwood: Follow the Crows’ will once again invite people to explore downtown in a playful and meaningful way while supporting an important cause.”
The cause Hoan refers to is OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. Each sculpture is auctioned off at the end of the exhibition as a fundraiser for the hospital.
As with the cat trail, visitors will be able to track down each sculpture using an interactive map on a mobile app. The result is essentially a citywide “must-see” list.
“Wildwood,” LAIKA’s upcoming animated feature, is scheduled to premiere in theaters on Oct. 23, 2026. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Colin Meloy, lead singer of The Decemberists, with illustrations by Carson Ellis. Meloy’s story begins just outside Portland, in a mysterious forest that most people don’t even realize exists.
LAIKA’s President and CEO Travis Knight is directing the adaptation. The voice cast includes Carey Mulligan, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett, Awkwafina, Tantoo Cardinal, Tom Waits and Richard E. Grant.
Keep your eyes towards the skies for further developments on the giant crows and the designs destined for Portland’s sidewalks. Organizers will be announcing artists, trail locations and more event programming this spring.
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