Portland’s first annual ManiFest brought together artists, nail art enthusiasts and kids from across the city to hold the tiniest of art on high.
Co-founders Connie Wohn, Helena Chu and Asa Sieracki turned Union Pine, a social space in Portland, into an art exhibit celebrating nail art.
The exhibit space hosted a dozen or more people late Saturday afternoon. Patrons could bedazzle press-on nails sets and lighter cases or sit in ASMR bliss inside a quiet room.
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An art display of larger-than-life (about the size of your whole hand) nail tips that had been decorated by local artists.
“ManiFest is a culmination of my desire to elevate nail art to its rightful place in the fine art world,” said Sieracki. “I am so passionate about art on the tiniest scale, but I wanted to bring it to a much bigger spectrum. Nail art is truly for everyone.”
ManiFest’s mission to bring nail art to the people highlighted its accessibility – from hobbyist to some of the most popular nail art creators on Instagram, it is an artform that can be worn by anyone of any gender, any race or any ethnicity.
A huge Wonka-esque art installation greeted guests as they walked in.
“This was my favorite piece to work on because it was a work of love,” said Chu of her art piece featuring thousands of press-on nails.
“It’s about community and I think that’s what this whole event is really about, encouraging people to see nail art as fine art.”
Anatomy Tattoo was there doing finger and hand tattoos and patrons could get a snack at the “finger food” station or an adult beverage at the bar.
Wohn hopes to make ManiFest a yearly celebration of art.
“I just loved creating a platform and wrapping our arms around the bright, beautiful community for everyone who loves nail art,” she said. “From soccer moms in Lake Oswego, to executives at Nike, people who work at the Oregonian, it’s such a vast culture.”
ManiFest will continue through Sunday, April 6, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Union Pine, located at 525 SE Pine.
Destiny Johnson | Djohnson@oregonian.com | @hello__Destiny,
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