The Octopus Garden at Portland Winter Lights Festival

Get ready, Portland! Something truly magical is unfolding at the 10th Annual PDX Winter Light Festival—and we mean that literally! “The Octopus Garden“ is an electrifying origami art installation by Kyle Shelton that will transport you beneath the waves into a glowing, paper-crafted wonderland of oceanic beauty.

At the heart of this installation is a stunning collection of meticulously folded sea creatures, many of which were crafted from upcycled and repurposed paper. From shimmering schools of fish to delicate cephalopods, each piece is not only a testament to the incredible art of origami but also a bold statement on sustainability. The designs—sourced from talented origami artists across the globe—come to life under black lights and other luminous effects, proving that discarded materials can be transformed into something breathtaking.

But wait, it gets even cooler! Artist Tre Roberts joins the installation with a mesmerizing, otherworldly ceiling made from repurposed materials. This intricate web of looping materials stretches above “The Octopus Garden,” casting dynamic shadows and adding an ethereal, floating effect to the space. The collaboration between paper and other repurposed glowing elements makes this installation unlike anything you’ve seen before!

This project isn’t just about beauty—it’s about impact. “The Octopus Garden“ challenges us to rethink waste, inspiring visitors to see discarded materials in a whole new light. That huge roll of secondhand paper from SCRAP? It’s now a glowing deep-sea dreamscape. The lesson? Don’t toss your trash—turn it into something beautiful!

Join us at the PDX Winter Light Festival and step up to “The Octopus Garden” at The Commonwealth Building on SW 6th Ave between Washington and Harvey Milk (433 SW 6th Ave)—where sustainability, creativity, and light merge into an unforgettable experience. It’s viewable from the street at all hours (extra luminescent after sunset) through Saturday, February 16th.