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The new accordion security gate courtesy of Don Wheatley

The damage to guitar locker where the priceless guitars store

The legacy of all past break-ins

The legacy of all past break-ins

11/25/2024

Heartless Break-in at Artichoke Early Last Wednesday Morning

Heartless Break-in at Artichoke

By BOB HOWARD // This shouldn't happen. Whatever god we worship needs to be reminded that for 50 years Artichoke has supported those in need. If their is any god, a super protective force field needs to beam down from the heavens to secure all sacred spaces that do not deserve to be vandalized.

For 50 years Artichoke has supported those in need. Throughout its history Artichoke has organized fundraisers to benefit many, many organizations in the Portland community.  such as: Mercy Corps, Transition Projects, Sisters of the Road, the Red Cross, among many more.

Shelley Garrett, the executive director of Artichoke Music, was heart-broken. Gary Furlow, the Director of Productions, shared the footage from the security camera with us, “they came well equipped."

Throughout the history of Artichoke Music community outreach has been at the core of its mission. Judith Cook Tucker, the founder of Artichoke Music, told me, "we did not open a music store to make money, opened the store as a gathering place.”  And gather they did, spontaneous jams set the feel of the room, the highly acclaimed annual world music festivals, the opening of the Back Door Café, and many more activities.  She added, "we don't just have all the great American music plastered on our walls, we have all the great American music SOAKED into our walls."

Artichoke is a non-profit business that runs on razor thin margins. It will take months to recover. I hope you can find it in you to help. Donate: https://www.artichokemusic.org/donate

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