In the aftermath of the recent Trimet hate crime murders here in Portland, I felt the need to send a loud and clear message to the girls of my neighborhood, especially girls of color: You belong here. You are powerful. And you have your own magic.
@lorinelsonart posted her 2015 painting “Hell to Pay” earlier this year as a call to arms to fight hate with art. The piece depicts exact sort of fiery heroine I was looking for to grace the walls of our Little Free Library box.

Not content to keep the art on the inside of the museum, I wanted to mount work on the outside for passers-by to enjoy. “Blessed Thistle” by Kathleen Lolley offers a magical symbol of protection and healing to library visitors. The Scotch thistle is associated with the Cross of Lorraine (emblem of Joan of Arc and the French Resistance) and is also the logo of the Encyclopædia Britannica.