LAIKA (a TPG client), the Visit Downtown Campaign, Wild in Art, and OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital are all joining forces to bring Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail to Portland this August.

Selectively chosen artists are currently working their magic at an undisclosed location, hand-painting each one of the 30 almost six-foot-tall sculptures that will be stationed throughout downtown Portland. The trail corresponds with the release of LAIKA’s remastered 3D stop-motion feature Coraline.

Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail runs for 10 weeks, is free to the public, and will culminate with an exciting auction to find permanent homes for these amazing feline statues with proceeds to benefit OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. The trail installation will include maps, a custom app and website, social media, and a customized Spotify playlist.

“We’re excited to collaborate with the Visit Downtown Campaign and Wild in Art to celebrate Coraline’s 15th Anniversary in LAIKA’s hometown of Portland, Oregon,” said LAIKA’s Chief Marketing and Operations Officer David Burke. “In the memorable cast of Coraline characters, Cat is a perfect fit for the trail. We believe this experience will bolster Portland’s vibrant creative community and support OHSU Doernbecher’s Children’s Hospital.”

PROJECT GOALS

  • Engage 250,000 people with the trail and bring art out of the galleries onto the streets
  • Celebrate the vibrancy of Downtown Portland and remind people of what a special place this is.
  • Collaborate with the award-winning LAIKA as they celebrate the 15th anniversary of Coraline and worldwide theatrical re-release in newly remastered 3D.
  • Showcase the creativity of our vibrant art community.
  • Raise funds for OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.

Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail is a celebration of community, creativity and compassion. At the completion of the Art Trail, the cat statues will be auctioned off as a fundraiser for OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital on October 30, 2024, at The Judy.

DATES

The public is invited to follow along on social media (Instagram: @CoralinesCuriousCatTrail) as well as get involved with several public events associated with this Art Trail including:

  • Unveiling/Launch: Friday, August 2nd, 2024 @ 11 a.m. at the OHSU South Waterfront (Directions Pending)
  • SOLVE Clean Up along the trail: Thursday, August 1st + September 5th + October 3rd, Starting at Director Park at 8 a.m.
  • Theatrical Re-Release of Coraline the Movie (3D) Aug 15th
  • Farewell Weekend: Complete Cat culmination – October 11th & 12th at Director Park
  • Cat Statue Auction: October 30, 2024, at The Judy

ABOUT THE FILM

The Oscar®-nominated film Coraline boasts stunning stop-motion animation, handcrafted puppets, and meticulously designed sets. Coraline is a wondrous, thrilling, fun and suspenseful adventure. A young girl walks through a secret door in her new home and discovers an alternate version of her life. On the surface, this parallel reality is eerily similar to her real life – only much better. But when this off-kilter, fantastical adventure turns dangerous and her counterfeit parents try to keep her forever, Coraline must count on her resourcefulness, determination, and bravery to save her family and get back home.

Adapted for the screen and directed by stop-motion auteur Henry Selick (The Nightmare Before Christmas, Wendell & Wild), Coraline’s voice cast includes Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Ian McShane, Keith David (as Cat), and British comedy duo Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders.