LIGHT A FIRE 2016

Portland Monthly's 12th Annual Light a Fire Awards

Photos from our 12 annual showcase of local individuals and organizations making Portland a better place to live, love, give, and grow

Photography by Mario Gallucci By Portland Monthly Staff October 31, 2016

Liquid light artist Kevin Noonan creates the ambiance for cocktail hour

Portland Monthly staffers Rebecca Jacobson and Michael Novak enjoy cocktail hour

Lifetime achievement winner George Thorn and guests

PNCA Applied Craft & Design students pose after constructing a Warhol vignette in the Kridel Lobby.

Andy Warhol snaps polaroids with Marilyn in toe.

Monique Barton, Roger Henshaw, and Dave Gorman from Bank of America.

Classic Warhol

Marty Patail, Portland Monthly's associate editor, introduces the Light a Fire judges.

Marilyns multiplied!

The Protogasms play covers of The Velvet Underground.

Jimmy Gersen paints an Andy Warhol mural throughout the show, which was raffled off to one lucky Light a Fire attendee!

Joe Whitworth receives the award for the Freshwater Trust for Caring for the Planet.

Jerry Tischleder accepts the award for Artists Repertory Theatre for Inspiring Creativity.

Maggie Michaels, Executive Director of Curriculum of Cuisine, accepts the award for Best New Nonprofit.

Lee Dayfield, Executive Director of Friends of Nadaka, poses with the Game Changing Project award.

Tyler TerMeer Executive Director of the Cascade AIDS Project accepts the Keeping Us Healthy award.

Sunil Mohan and Brian Skahan from AKQA accepting the award for Exceptional Pro Bono Contribution.

Ramona DeNies, Portland Monthly's Assistant Editor, hands out ballots to vote for the favorite nonprofit of the night.

Velvet Underground cover band, the Protogasms, bring down the house while Jimmy Gersen paints Andy Warhol.

Roger Henshaw, Bank of America's Market President, Oregon & SW Washington, presents the award for Extraordinary Volunteer.

Lesley Segal from Outside In accepts the award for Extraordinary Volunteer.

Derenda Schubert of Bridge Meadows is awarded Extraordinary Executive Director.

Cristina Delgado of Adelante Mujeres accepts the award for Emerging Leader.

Elizabeth Large of SMART is awarded Extraordinary Board Member.

George Thorn receives a standing ovation as he accepts the Lifetime Achievement award.

Jessica Hewitt and Monique Barton from Bank of America mingle with Andrew Proctor from Literary Arts.

Portland Monthly's Events and Marketing Manager Rachel Ratner

Event emcees Poison Waters and Portland Monthly Editor in Chief Zach Dundas

Marilyn showing off just one of the beautiful pieces of jewelry donated by Packouz Jewelers for the raffle prizes.

Dave Gorman and Monique Barton from Bank of America pose with Andrew Proctor from Literary Arts.

Zoya Kumar of Portland Community ToolBank is thrilled to win the audience choice award for favorite nonprofit

Ruby Jewel puts the cherry on top of a great night

The Bridge meadows team enjoying the photo booth

Toadstool cupcakes were a delightful surprise at the Bank of America after-party.

The Portland Monthly editorial team poses in the 15-seconds-of-fame photo booth.

Portland Community ToolBank poses with their big check!

On October 14, 350 community leaders joined Portland Monthly and Bank of America for the 12th annual Light a Fire awards. This year's ceremony, at the Portland Art Museum, was filled with Andy Warhol–inspired surprises, including Marilyn Monroes multiplied, a Velvet Underground cover band, live art-making by Jimmy Gersen, inspiring stories, and a Silver Factory after-party—all in celebration of Portland’s most extraordinary change-makers. At the end of the night Portland Community ToolBank was voted favorite nonprofit, and took home the "big check."

Thanks to our sponsors Bank of America, Coca-Cola, Arciform, Lagunitas Brewing Company, The Standard, Nike, New Deal Distillery, and Packouz Jewelers.

Light a Fire, Portland Art Museum, Nonprofits, PoMo Events

Show Comments

Portland Monthly

Portland Monthly's 12th Annual Light a Fire Awards

Related Content

A New Exhibit Spotlights Art from Across the Pacific Northwest

2018 Light a Fire Awards

This Jewish Photographer Captured Life in a World War II Ghetto

Portland Bride & Groom’s Rocked