Although they are now known as the Santa Clones, Portland artist Chris Willis, who has been putting the antique blow molds in different parts of the city since 2010, just calls them the Santas.
Since then, the Santas have been enthralling hundreds of Portlanders, who discover them through random encounters or by following hints Willis posts on Instagram.
Willis experimented with the lyrics of the beloved holiday poem, Twas the Night Before Christmas, this year, scattering his hints throughout the text.
The Santa is tucked away.
cozy in their own place,
where a soda fountain was located
One hundred years instead.
More than 400 Santas are on exhibit. Willis is very thrilled about the venue this year. A bit more on that:
Off to the place
You took off quickly,
It was sandy on the boulevard.
although it’s unlikely that you’ll crash.
The site’s retro atmosphere complements the old Santas to perfection. Every component of the installation evokes memories of bygone times.
According to Willis, everything suddenly fell into place.
Since 2010, Portlanders have been mesmerized by Chris Willis’s Santa Clones each year. December 12, 2024Nakamura, Beth
And the hardest part, Willis says, is coming together. Not for the Santas, who lack their customary December dignity and wait in Willis’ basement in plastic trash bags for the majority of the year.
The most difficult part is determining the exact places.
“I get rejected all the time,” Willis remarked. Not all of the landlords are from this area.
However, Willis pointed out that I’ve been quite fortunate to find this place. It’s fantastic.
When Lee Barth dropped off his dry cleaning near where the Santas now sit, he completely happened across the Santa Clones (hint, hint). He was mesmerized at once.
In 2009, 50-year-old Barth relocated from Los Angeles to Portland. He had never heard of the Santas or met them.
He remarked, “I usually keep up with these kinds of things, but for some reason, I’ve missed this all these years.” It’s quite crazy.
He stood in wonder at the plethora of glowing figures in front of him and remarked, “We need more of this kind of stuff.”
He added, everywhere.
More than ever before.
Through New Year’s Day, the Santa Clones will be illuminated every day from 4 to 10 p.m.
Are you craving more hints? Visit Willis’ Instagram account.
Nakamura, Beth
@bethnakamura on Instagram
@bethnakamura Bluesky
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