You’ve seen it before: a pop-up where customers walk away with exclusive merch, a custom sneaker bar buzzing with energy, or a celebrity event with limited-edition swag that seems almost too cool to be real. Welcome to the world of brand activation.

Behind these unforgettable moments, there are often many hidden creative forces working behind the scenes. In Portland, one of those forces is Manta Gallery, a boutique design lab turning brands into immersive experiences and products into stories.

Founded by Portland natives RJ Stevens and Danica Aboujaoude to create one-off and bulk custom footwear, Manta Gallery has expanded to include influencer kits and unique on-site events. Working closely with clients ranging from Nike, Jordan Brand, ON, and EA Sports to emerging creatives and influencers, Manta’s goal is to help brands level up their marketing presence with concept-to-creation execution and support to elevate existing events.

Bringing Ideas to life, from concept to finished product

“At Manta Gallery, we’re all about bringing ideas to life, from initial ideas to finished products and moments,” Danica says. That could mean crafting influencer seeding kits so memorable they become collector's items, or hosting on-site customization booths where guests walk away with a piece of wearable art.

From concept to production and on-site delivery, Manta offers end-to-end brand support. “We’re not just making cool shoes — we’re designing moments,” adds RJ Stevens. “We help brands connect with people in a way that sticks, long after the event is over.”

Whether it’s creating custom cleats for Beastmode, seeding kits for EA Sports, or pop-up activations for Puma and Jordan Brand, Manta is known for fast turnarounds, detail-driven execution, and adaptable experiences for everyone from independent creatives to Fortune 500 companies.

The Founders: Parallel Paths, Shared Vision

Although RJ and Danica both grew up just minutes apart in Portland, their paths to launching Manta were wildly different — and deeply complementary.

RJ’s passion began at age 11, when he received a pair of sample green Air Force 1s.

That gift kicked off a collection funded by caddying, which led to custom shoe colorway designs and a portfolio that landed him in the University of Oregon’s product design program. Post graduation, he built his career as a graphic designer, eventually becoming head of customization at a local creative agency.

Danica’s journey began in athletics and pre-med before shifting to business management. While working in retail at Nike in college, she helped pace running events - and during a 2015 San Francisco activation, she fell in love with experiential marketing.“It was magical,” she says. “You could feel how much it meant to the participants. I knew I wanted to create those kinds of moments.”

The two met while working at the same creative agency, bonded over shared ambitions, and eventually rented a fixer-upper studio off Canyon Road. “We’d go after work and just make fun stuff,” says RJ. Word spread, small orders rolled in, and before long, they decided to make it official

Building Manta

Two years later, Manta Gallery operates on a national scale. They’ve brought their bespoke brand experiences to New York Fashion Week, partnered with creative agencies like Elle Empire, Problem Palace, Creative Artists Agency, and Premier Press, and delivered projects for brands including Jordan Brand, Puma, and Realtree.

“We’re so grateful for every relationship and opportunity,” Danica says. “As a young agency, having clients trust our concepts and execution means everything to us.”

Why “Manta”?

“Mantas move with intention — they’re smooth, efficient, and calm,” RJ says. “We try to embody that in our process and team dynamic.” Danica adds that manta rays hunt collaboratively in whirlpools, taking turns to feed on tiny krill and microscopic zooplankton — a metaphor for how Manta Gallery approaches collaboration: every role matters, every contribution counts.

The“Gallery” half of the name “is our way of showcasing the breadth of what we do,” RJ says. “Design, fabrication, activation — every project is an exhibit of our capabilities.”

Standout Moments

Asked to pick a favorite project, RJ doesn’t hesitate: “New York Fashion Week. Bringing our work to that stage, in that city, was next-level.”

● Jordan Brand “One of Ones” Celebration – Customizing 175 pairs of sneakers in NYC, some completed live at the event, celebrating artist individuality.

● Realtree x MLB’s JT Realmuto – Teaming up with Realtree, CAA Sports, and MLB catcher JT Realmuto to design a completely custom camo kit for Player’s Weekend, blending performance gear with streetwear and hunting aesthetics.

● Legend Blue 11’s Influencer Kits – Creating and producing over 40 curated kits for one of Jordan Brand’s most anticipated retro drops.

● Super Bowl Weekend with Beast Mode x Ubisoft – Customizing a full batch of cleats inspired by the pirate-themed game Skull and Bones.

● Shoe Palace Grand Opening, Union Square – Creating a customization station during NBA All-Star Weekend that merged fashion culture with elevated personalization.

Each of these moments reflects Manta’s ability to merge storytelling, style, and precision into unforgettable brand touchpoints.

Just Getting Started 

For RJ and Danica, Manta Gallery is more than a business - it’s a vehicle for creative expression and authentic connection. They’re a small team doing big things, and they’re only getting started.

Learn more at mantagallery.com, follow @mantagallery on Instagram, or contact them to collaborate - they might just even customize something for you while they’re at it.