From art to awesome: Artist donates knit blankets from Broadway Bridge yarn bomb to local organizations

November 27, 2013

Colorful, knitted blankets that draped the Broadway Bridge this fall are now serving their new purpose: to keep people warmer this winter.

Artist Tyler Mackie, who created the “Bridge for Blankets“ yarn bomb art project in honor of the Broadway Bridge’s 100th birthday, has donated 48 blankets to local nonprofits and organizations, including Human Solutions Warming Shelter, SnowCap Community Charities, Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel and Clackamas Women’s Services.

"This has been a humbling and gratifying experience," Mackie said. "I have learned so much about the generosity of others for the time and resources provided to realize this project from beginning to end."

Mackie, a Northeast Portland native, came up with the “yarn bomb” idea after seeing a smaller-scale project on a bridge railing a few years ago. She toyed with the idea of going bigger.

The 48 blankets once formed the four colorful 18-by-21-foot blankets that hung from the Broadway Bridge as part of the bridge’s centennial celebration. Multnomah County maintains the span, which was built in 1913.

For more information:

Visit artist Tyler Mackie's website.

Read previous coverage of the Bridge for Blankets project.