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Toolbox introduces young people to bridge between art, careers in the trades

After long days of helping to build the Rose Garden Arena, now the Moda Center, Seyona Belai relaxed by painting oil and canvas art of the tradespeople who worked around her. Inspired by construction sites and the people who work in them, her paintings captured their movement, strength and attention to detail.

Seyona Belai

“What I love most about making art is that it allows me to translate physical labor into visual poetry. It’s my way of honoring the pride, creativity and humanity of people who build our world,” said Belai, now president of Zana Construction.

One of her early exhibitions, Conspicuous Colors, was held inside the arena. Several pieces from that show were later acquired by the late Paul Allen, Microsoft co-founder, owner of the Portland Trail Blazers and a major collector of contemporary art.

“That experience affirmed for me that the trades deserve cultural visibility, and that the work of craft professionals belongs not just on jobsites, but in galleries, museums and our shared stories,” she said. “That’s what Toolbox is all about, recognizing and uplifting the artistry of craft trade professionals, the skilled athletes of the building industry.”

Established by Belai in 2024, the Milwaukie-based creative space and gallery is a product of her experience of working on large-scale commercial jobsites, where she saw firsthand how much creativity, problem-solving and skill goes into every project.

“I want young people to know they don’t have to choose between being an artist and working in the trades. You can be both. Construction is full of creative challenges, from shaping material and solving spatial problems to collaborating across disciplines,” she said.

One of her goals is to shift how the next generation sees trade careers not just as jobs, but as meaningful, creative and community-shaping paths. Toolbox works closely with training programs and professionals across the industry to highlight real stories of people working in carpentry, electrical, concrete, metalwork and more.

“We use exhibitions, storytelling and public programming to make these careers visible and inspiring. Young people are often surprised to learn how much design thinking and innovation is involved in the trades. Once they see that, their whole perspective changes,” Belai said.

Last May, Toolbox hosted a special gallery tour, luncheon and artist talk for local craft trade professionals. That exhibition featured the paintings of Margarita Marochkina, whose landscapes explore the healing connection between nature and the human body. In June, it exhibited work by five recent Lewis & Clark College graduates, all reflecting on overlooked or undervalued forms of labor. Its third show featured Seby Ivkin, a marine-inspired painter whose vibrant work doubles as a call to environmental stewardship in the face of climate change.

In September, Toolbox will present a solo exhibition of pastel and painted works by Gary L. Michael, a former architect. His art captures the tranquil landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, inviting reflection on the environments people live in and build within.

Then, in October, Toolbox will take a big step forward in centering its mission even more directly. It will begin showcasing the work and stories of craft trade professionals themselves. Its inaugural artist in this series is Liz Nichols, a cement mason, sculptor and botanical casting expert. Her work blends delicate natural forms with the materiality of concrete and plaster, speaking to the tension and beauty of working in the trades, Belai said.

Following that, Toolbox will continue presenting solo and group exhibitions featuring craftspeople from various trades. It is currently inviting submissions from craft professionals interested in exhibiting their work or sharing their stories. To learn more and apply, please visit .