Milepost 5 Studios Artists Collective

James Brian Fenimore was killed by a speeding Minivan this week while walking on a SE 82nd Avenue sidewalk near E Burnside Street. He was an artist who had lived in Montavilla’s Milepost 5 Studios for years and created art under the name Jimi Rockola. Portland Police cited the suspected driver for manslaughter in the first degree, Driving Under the Influence (DUI), and reckless driving. Members of the non-profit Milepost 5 Studios Artists’ Collective and residents of his former apartment building are mourning the loss of their fellow creator and friend, who had left them for a quick errand that he never returned from.

Fenimore moved into the neighborhood affordable housing complex after his boss, who was also the manager at the time, recommended it. As a musician, he fit in with the predominantly artist residents at Milepost 5 and soon formed a band. Fenimore loved his second-floor apartment overlooking Montavilla Park and his new community. As COVID locked everyone indoors, he continued to make music with his newfound friends. Later, after a band member died and others needed a break, Fenimore began concentrating on his artwork created from discarded items. “I’ve always been appalled at how much waste there is in the world and how easy it is to repurpose everyday items,” wrote Fenimore in a September 19th open letter to the Milepost 5 community.

*^{Self portrait collage made by James Brian Fenimore}*

James Fenimore taught art classes and hosted open-mic events at Milepost 5, joining the Milepost 5 Studios Artists’ Collective when it was formed. Despite his commitment to the art community in the building, he lost his apartment. Fenimore had difficulties establishing his rental support eligibility paperwork with the building management, according to his friend and Milepost 5 Studios Artists’ Collective founder, Sarah Gerhardt. Despite losing his housing, he kept involved with art and his community, holding onto the support he received from his fellow artists. “Even though I lost my Apt. I still had something I never had in 65 years. I felt love and compassion and hope in a violent, angry world,” wrote Fenimore.

*_{(Jimi Rockola) James Fenimore’s art from an April 2023 show}*

The night of his death, James Fenimore left his friends on his way to exchange collected cans for their deposit money. He was living on the street, waiting to get into other affordable housing. Although his death will add to the disproportionately high percentage of homeless people killed in traffic crashes, this tragedy had nothing to do with his current living situation. Security footage of the wreck shows Fenimore walking north on the sidewalk towards the E Burnside crosswalk. Another pedestrian walking south passes Fenimore before jumping out of the way of the speeding minivan as it careens off the street. The other person barely reaches safety before the vehicle collides with Fenimore and the signal equipment. Both people on the sidewalk were well-lit and walking in what should have been a safe area; only chance spared one of them. Police attribute the crash to speed and alcohol.

The driver of the vehicle is in the hospital with significant injuries. Police have accused them of being criminally reckless with their actions, costing the community an artist and depriving many people of a friend.

Update: St Peter & Paul Episcopal Church at 247 SE 82nd Avenue will host a memorial service for James Brian Fenimore (Jimi Rockola) on Thursday, November 9th at 3 p.m. The community is welcome to attend. His friends have setup a GoFundMe to cover expenses. (Note: This was moved from November 2nd to the 9th)

Jacob Loeb

Main article image provided by Sarah Gerhardt

On Saturday, May 13th, operators of the art gallery located within Milepost 5 noticed four pieces from The Surreal Life and Art of Keith Dillon collection were missing. The suspected thieves removed to artwork sometime between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m., according to Sarah Gerhardt, president of the Milepost 5 Studios Artists Collective. The art exposition is on the first floor of Milepost 5 Studios & Apartments at 850 NE 81st Avenue. A fundraising campaign is underway to secure safe storage facilities for the remaining artwork. People with knowledge of the art’s whereabouts are encouraged to share with Gerhardt or the Portland Police Bureau (PPB).

Pieces currently on display are part of a memorial art exhibition celebrating the artist’s life, making this theft even more difficult for the community. “I’m devastated by this and angry. His work is stunning and deserves the visibility he never got while here,” said Gerhardt. “Now, not only am I trying to find the pieces. I am trying to get a storage facility secured and raising funds to pay for it a year or two in advance. That way, not only can I store his pieces but also other artists’ stuff.”

*Flyer reporting missing art* provided *by Milepost 5 Studios Artists Collective*

Dillon was a photographer and surreal digital artist living at Milepost 5. He advocated for keeping the artist community alive within the building and inspired Sarah Gerhardt’s current efforts to revitalize the artistic roots of the complex. The building has faltered from its original intent as a low-income live-work space for artists. Opening in 2007, it was a unique housing project that was supposed to bolster the arts. However, residents have struggled with security concerns over the last few years and have seen reduced access to creative spaces. Although some improvements are underway, this recent incident indicates gallery activities require more security.

Many Milepost 5 residents wish to change the narrative around their building and reinstitute the artist collective. This loss of art will not deter those efforts but will reprioritize the fledgling non-profit’s priorities toward protecting the art. Gerhardt asks people with information about the art’s location to contact her at 503-990-5547 or email Officer Brooks at Andrew.brooks@police.Portlandoregon.gov with information regarding case number 23-125240.

Jacob Loeb

Correction: The artist’s name is Keith Dillon. A previous version of this article used a misspelled version of the last name.