Following the success of Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail, a citywide public art trail which brought tens of thousands of visitors to Downtown Portland and raised significant funds for OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Portland will once again transform with a whimsical citywide art experience.

Launching in early August 2026, Wildwood: Follow the Crows is a new public art trail presented in partnership with LAIKA, OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Wild in Art, the Portland Metro Chamber, Downtown Portland Clean & Safe, and supported by the Visit Downtown Campaign.

The trail will feature almost 6-foot-tall artist-designed crow sculptures inspired by LAIKA’s upcoming stop-motion fantasy film Wildwood, placed throughout Downtown Portland to create a free, self-guided art adventure for locals and visitors alike that benefits pediatric healthcare.

Local and regional artists will design each crow sculpture into a one-of-a-kind work of art, bringing colour, storytelling, and imagination into Downtown public spaces. Maps, apps, digital tools, and programming will guide those exploring the trail.

“After seeing the joy and energy that Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail brought to Downtown Portland, we knew we wanted to build on that momentum with another bold, creative experience,” said Andrew Hoan, President & CEO of the Portland Metro Chamber. “Downtown pedestrian activity has consistently been on the rise, with events and cultural activations driving the recovery. Wildwood: Follow the Crows will once again invite people to explore Downtown in a playful, meaningful way while supporting a great cause.”

“Wildwood is deeply rooted in the places and story of Portland, and this art trail gives us a beautiful way to celebrate the film’s themes of adventure, bravery, and community in our hometown,” said David Burke, Chief Marketing & Operations Officer of LAIKA. “We’re thrilled to partner with the OHSU Doernbecher’s, Downtown Portland Clean & Safe, the Portland Metro Chamber, and Wild in Art to bring this remarkable cinematic story into Portland’s public spaces.”

The trail is project-managed by OHSU Foundation, which is building on the remarkable success of Coraline’s Curious Cat Trail to once again combine public art, placemaking, and philanthropy in support of children’s health.

“This trail creates moments of joy and connection for families while directly supporting the care we provide to children across the region,” said Dr. Dana Braner, Physician-in-Chief at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. “We are grateful to everyone who is helping bring this project to life.”

Additional support comes from Wild in Art, the internationally recognised producer of large-scale public art trails around the world.

Charlie Langhorne, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Wild in Art said: “We are delighted to be teaming up once again with LAIKA, OHSU Foundation, the Portland Metro Chamber, and Downtown Portland Clean & Safe as we continue our collaboration for what will be our second trail in Portland. Our events enable thousands of people of all ages to experience art by making it part of everyday life, while offering new ways for people to explore their local area. Through this trail, we hope to bring people together to create something special for the city that will deliver real and lasting impact.”

At the conclusion of the trail, the crow sculptures will be auctioned to raise funds for OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, continuing the tradition of public art serving both creativity and community impact.

Deeply rooted in Portland, Wildwood is directed by Travis Knight and based on the bestselling novel by the lead singer and songwriter for the Decemberists, Colin Meloy, with illustrations by Portland artist Carson Ellis.

The cast includes Carey Mulligan, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett, Awkwafina, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, Amandla Stenberg, Jemaine Clement, Maya Erskine, Tantoo Cardinal, Tom Waits, and Richard E. Grant.

Wildwood is set to arrive in theatres nationwide on 23 October 2026.

In the lead-up to the film’s release, LAIKA’s early promotional efforts for Wildwood are intentionally highlighting Portland destinations and landmarks, celebrating the city as both the creative home of the studio and the imaginative birthplace of the story. Presented by LAIKA, Wildwood: Follow the Crows extends that storytelling into the public realm, inviting residents and visitors to experience Portland through the same sense of adventure, curiosity, and magic that defines the film.