Behind the Wings: The Making of Migrations
with Olivia Phoenix (nee Guethling), Artist and Therese Gietler, Artist and Filmmaker
MAR 14, 6:30-8:00PM | Doors @ 6:15PM | Empirical Theater at OMSI
Join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Migrations, the stunning bird sculpture currently on display at OMSI. We’ll be screening Sparking Creativity, a three-film series by Therese Gietler that highlights the work of local artists. After the screenings, stay for a Q&A session where you can engage with the creative minds behind the art.
6:15PM | Doors Open
6:30PM | Sparking Creativity film screenings
7:00PM | Panel discussion with
- Olivia Phoenix (nee Guethling), Artist
- Therese Gietler, Artist and Filmmaker
- Mar Ricketts, Principal and Founder of GuildWorks
- Alisha Sullivan, Executive Director, Willamette Light Brigade
TICKETS:
Sliding scale, pay what you can. $0-$15.
ABOUT THE SCULPTURE:
Migrations: The 21-foot sculpture was originally built for Burning Man in 2023 before being displayed at the Portland Lights Festival in 2024. During its time at the Lights Festival, the sculpture was lit with color-changing LEDs and accompanied by an interactive app that allowed visitors to share their own stories of migration as well as read the stories of others.
ABOUT THE FILMS:
Sparking Creativity: Migrations follows artist Olivia Guethling and her team as they exhibit their installation at the 2024 Portland Winter Light Festival. Inspired by the incredible journeys of migrating species and the history of human migration, “Migrations” explores the connections we share with nature and the enduring quest for a place to call home. Through structural steel and architectural fabric, Olivia’s piece reflects on resilience and the impact of mobility in our changing world.
Migrations: A journey to Burning Man is a a short video of the first journey of the Bird to Black Rock City.
Olivia Phoenix (nee Guethling), Artist
Olivia is an international, multi-talented artist and designer with a BA in Visual Communication Design and a Master of Fine Arts in Collaborative Design. With her fascination for effective communication and systems design, her work spans many disciplines and mediums. She is known for her work as Creative Director, Producer, Graphic Designer, and Artist.
Therese Gietler, Artist and Filmmaker
Therese Gietler is the creative mind behind Sparking Creativity, an ongoing docuseries exploring the world of immersive, light-based art. With four episodes completed and four more in development, she brings both vision and a hands-on approach to the series. As executive producer, Therese shapes the series’ themes and style while also stepping into the director’s role for select episodes, including Nautilus Deep Sea, where her understated approach allows the artists’ work to take center stage.
With roots as a photojournalist and over 25 years of experience producing for film and photography, Therese now applies her expertise to capturing unique, artist-driven stories.
Mar Ricketts, Principal and Founder of GuildWorks
Mar Ricketts is the Principal and Founder of GuildWorks, a full-service design-build firm that specializes in lightweight and sustainable building structures. Mar is the lead designer of Migrations – a very unique tensile fabric structure. His company GuildWorks has positioned itself as an innovative leader in the design, fabrication, and installation of elegant, tensile, fabric structures.
Alisha Sullivan, Executive Director, Willamette Light Brigade
Alisha Sullivan is the Executive Director of the Willamette Light Brigade, the nonprofit behind the Portland Winter Light Festival, which is an annual light-based-art event that exposes residents and guests to free, tech-based art forms during the dark of winter when people most need a reason to gather. “Migrations” was part of the Portland Winter Lights Festival in 2024 and 2025.
Under her leadership, the organization has expanded its reach and become a catalyst for creativity, economic stimulation, and inspiration in the community. Alisha holds an MFA from the entrepreneurial Applied Craft & Design Program from the former Pacific Northwest College of Art, a bachelor’s in Art from the University of Oregon, and has been in the arts since attending an arts magnet elementary school in Eugene, OR. Alisha believes that creative, immersive art has an important role to play in our region’s future identity, and her personal mission is to put Oregon on the map as an international hub for light and tech-based art.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the Empirical Cafe will be open with prepackaged salads, sandwiches and movie snacks. The bar will be open to guests that are 21+. No outside food or drink is allowed.
OMSI has a new parking system via the mobile parking app, Parking Kitty, to create an easier and more streamlined experience for our visitors. Parking is $2 + fees for after-hours events. We recommend you download the app prior to your arrival at OMSI. You can also pay via their website at www.parkingkitty.com.
Click here for OMSI’s overall accessibility information. Below are the specific details for the Empirical Theater.
The Empirical Theater has an upper-level wheelchair accessible entrance and theater restrooms; due to the layout of the theater the lower-level main entrance is only accessible by stairs. Please check in with a Guest Services Representative or volunteer for assistance in locating these areas.
Several daytime documentaries and newer evening full-features offer closed captions, audio description, and volume amplification. The CaptiView closed caption units allow guests to see captions for their show by using a cup holder device that they can adjust within their view, and the Fidelio RX audio description units deliver descriptive narration and can also amplify the theater volume and dialogue.
The Showing Today signs updated daily at the front desk and theater entrance indicate which features offer closed captions (CC) and audio description (AD), while volume amplification is available for all theater content including events such as Science Pub and Reel Science.
Limited quantities of the following devices are available for theater guests and may be requested at either the Front Desk or Concierge Desk as well as from the theater usher:
- CaptiView closed caption (CC) viewing devices
- Fidelio RX audio description and volume amplification units
- Williams Sound NKL-001 neck loops designed to work with hearing aids equipped with a telephone coil or T-Switch
The rough inside measurements of the seats not including arm and back rests:
- Theater seats 16.5” wide and 21.5” deep
- Two accessible seating area chairs 39.29″ high, 29.5″ wide, and 29″ deep
- Additional accessible seating area chairs available by request is 23.5” wide and 21.5” deep
- The weight capacity for the accessible seating area chairs are 500lbs, and the additional accessible seating area chairs support between 200lbs-250lbs
Earplugs can be requested from the Front Desk and Concierge Desk, and sensory resource packs that include:
- Noise reducing headphones
- Fidget toys
- Sunglasses
- Visual and auditory timer
- 2 pound weighted shoulder wrap
- Sanitizing wipes
Please contact OMSI Guest Services at (503) 797-4000 or Info@OMSI.edu with any additional specific questions or needs.