Best Mural or graffiti artist

1. Suspish Facebook.com/SuspishBiz and Suspish Fish on Facebook.\

In a city filled with amazing murals and street art, Suspish’s work still manages to stand out. There’s something about those blue-ish fish that delights folks of all ages. Ever since Suspish painted one one of their signature graffiti fish on Eugene Weekly’s building, we have watched delightedly as person after person has stopped by to take a selfie with the art. We’re pretty sure we even watched some senior photos take place.

One of the comments that folks make again and again is how spotting a Suspish fish or other Suspish art around the city makes their day. And Suspish tells us that the lifting of spirits is mutual. “I love art,” Suspish says. “I love how Eugene is full of artists, and I never thought I’d be getting recognized for my art the way I am today.”

Eugene is indeed full of talented artists — in fact, third place winner Ila Rose won first for Best Artist, a category where Suspish took second, and second place winner in the mural and graffiti category, well-known muralist Bayne Gardner, has shared walls with Suspish’s art.

Getting the recognition for their art “has been so great for my mental health,” Suspish continues, “because usually I work a lot of hours at emotionally taxing jobs and now things are way different. Thank you for the overwhelming support.”

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

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None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!