Bush House Museum in partnership with The Reser and the City of Beaverton presents the traveling exhibition, ReEnvisioned: Contemporary Portraits of our Black Ancestors, by artist Jeremy Okai Davis. A convergence of contemporary art and history, each portrait is paired with historical information about the life and times of each person. While the subjects of the portrait series are Oregonians, their stories are universal and relevant throughout our country.

This exhibition specifically addresses the history and experiences of early Black pioneers, whose life stories are necessary reminders of Black resilience through colonialist oppression. Each portrait reflects the perseverance and determination of these individuals to survive and thrive, while actively being oppressed by the white leadership and population of Oregon. The theme of overcoming oppression still resonates today as we continue to face the deeply rooted legacy of systemic racism in this country.

Featured works will be displayed at The Reser and the 1st floor of The Beaverton Building/City Hall.

Sponsored by City of Beaverton, Bush House Museum, & the Salem Art Association.

Photo Credit: Salem Art Association & Jeremy Okai Davis

About the Artist of ReEnvisioned:

Jeremy Okai Davis was born and grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina. He later received a BFA in painting from the University of North Carolina (Charlotte, NC). Davis relocated to Portland, OR in 2007 where he has continued his studio practice in addition to working as a graphic designer and illustrator. His work has been shown nationally at the Studio Museum of Harlem in New York, THIS Los Angeles, Wa Na Wari in Seattle, and The Rotating Art Program at Portland International Airport. Elizabeth Leach Gallery began representing Jeremy Okai Davis in 2019.

Davis’s work resides in public and private collections including the Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center at Oregon State University, the University of Oregon, the Port of Portland, the Multnomah County Courthouse, the Ledding Library in Milwaukie, the Seaside Public Library, Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel, Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School in Portland, and Microsoft Corporation in Redmond, WA.

About selecting the subjects for ReEnvisioned, Davis has said:

“In choosing Ben Johnson (1834-1901) as one of the first Black Oregon Pioneers to represent, I wanted to look at a working-class man that garnered respect through his occupation. A man that went from enslaved to earning for himself, acquiring land, finding a wife and making a life for themselves in Oregon.”

About the Guest Curator:

Tammy Jo Wilson is a Black artist, curator, educator, and arts organizer dedicated to creating inclusive spaces where art serves as a catalyst for connection, dialogue, and change. Based in Portland, Oregon, she weaves together her passion for advocacy, creativity, and community-building to uplift underrepresented voices—particularly Black artists—through exhibitions, programming, and mentorship.

Wilson serves as the Ambassador for the Black Art & Experiences Initiative at the Portland Art Museum, furthering her mission to center Black voices and expand access to the arts. With an MFA from San Jose State University and a BFA from the Pacific Northwest College of Art, she co-founded Art in Oregon, a statewide nonprofit fostering artistic equity and cultural vitality. She has curated numerous exhibitions, including Black Matter, an ongoing traveling show featuring Oregon-based Black artists, and Terrain, a land art exhibit celebrating the intersection of art and environment. As the Director of Exhibits & Programming for Bush House Museum and Visual Arts & Technology Program Manager at Lewis & Clark College, she continually works to expand opportunities for artists while reshaping institutional narratives around art and identity.

Wilson’s own artistic practice has been showcased nationally, with recent solo exhibitions at Souvenir Gallery in Portland, Gretchen Schuette Gallery in Salem, and Truckenbrod Gallery in Corvallis. Through her work—whether as an artist, curator, or organizer—she seeks to challenge oppressive systems, celebrate resilience, and foster meaningful connections through art.