Joshua James Amberson pops-up for a reading in the Portland Art Museum galleries with his collection Staring Contest: Essays About Eyes. 

Amberson is paired with the artwork Black Kings by Thelma Johnson Streat; found in the Black Artists of Oregon exhibit, on the 2nd floor of the Portland Art Museum.

As a child, Joshua James Amberson was diagnosed with pseudoxanthoma elasticum, a rare genetic condition that may eventually lead to sightlessness. In my own mild way,” his book opens, “I like to obsess,” and what follows is a relentlessly curious series of detours through oft-ignored aspects of vision and vision loss. 

Portland Book Festival General Admission Passes are required for entry into all events. Passes are $15 in advance and $25 day of Festival. Youth 17 & under get in FREE. All full-priced General Admission Passes include a $5 book fair voucher and entry into Portland Art Museum. Passes admit attendees to the Festival; individual events are first-come, first-served. More info here.