We are showing the canoe at the Westminster Presbyterian Church Art Show. Why not? It is fine furniture – maybe even sculpture. During the opening show, a friend asked about the boat.

“It’s beautiful,” they said. “Does it float?”

I consider the question for a minute. Snarky me wants to answer, “Why no, we just use it for guacamole at football games.¹” But I resist.

“Yep,” I replied with a smile. “It floats.”

Where: 1624 NE Hancock, Portland, OR 97212

When: Saturday, February 22, through Sunday, March 2, 2025

Viewing hours: 
   10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Saturday; 
   8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 23
   8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 2

Getting the canoe into the exhibition was a challenge. The show is in a large gathering room on the second floor. There are two staircases leading into this space, both twisty and narrow. Janell and I weren’t sure we could actually fit the canoe up the stairs, but remembered our old slogan; “We’ll figure this out.”

As it turns out, I’ve had more difficult portages when I was a canoe guide. Dropping down cliffs in the Canadian wilderness carrying an Oldtown 17 foot canoe was more awe-inspiring.

At the first corner in the staircase, we lift the boat over the rail, then walk around and up, being careful not to take out the hanging lamp. Once we figure out the first corner, we repeat the move for all the rest.

We’re surprised at what we can accomplish when we take our time. The boat was light. There weren’t any pine trees trying to knock us off course. Janell and I work well together.

The canoe now rests safely on the stage, propped up on two chairs. To provide insight, we included a binder of the narrative (these blog entries) we made during our time in Port Townsend. Paper printouts don’t include the videos, but the pictures provide detail on the process of building this boat. First build a strong back, then add stations, then the strips (many strips), then fiberglass, then gunnels, seats, and thwarts.

I performed jazz with a quartet at the opening gala and from the stage, I can watch people approach the boat. The woodworkers are a distinctive crowd. They sight the lines of the boat, then size up the overall view of the colors, and gunnels. Then they page through the narrative.

I didn’t have time to ask them what they saw. What were the attractive parts of the boat? Why did they stop and look? What did they see in that canoe that echoed their own experience? I’d love to know.

It’s a pleasure to talk about this boat with friends. They see the boat as art. Sometimes furniture. Sometimes both.

And yes—it floats.

1. My brother-in-law actually DID do this. He was contracted to build a simulated Hawaiian canoe to be used as a buffet table for themed events at a hotel. It was huge and heavy and included a stainless steel tray insert for a bed of ice. I’m told the hotel stiffed him for payment and that it now sits in his basement. Let me know if you need such a thing. ↩︎