April 23, 2024 at 4:08 pm PDT

Entering Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks, the new sneaker exhibit at the Portland Art Museum, visitors first pass through a cascading archway constructed of strips of plastic air-pillow packaging. Once in the gallery, there’s the thumping beat of a shoe-themed playlist that includes “Hit the Streetz in My Nikes” by Kid Cudi and “My Adidas” by Run-D.M.C.. Shoes that would blow an average sneakerhead’s mind are propped up on faux boulders and pedestals and in glass cases.

That sneakerhead is not, mind you, Herbert Beauclere.

The 34-year-old is the co-founder of Sneaker Week PDX, an annual industry festival that hits Pioneer Courthouse Square this summer July 26–Aug. 1. Despite his deep ties to the footwear industry, Beauclere does not self-identify as a sneakerhead and prefers people not call him that.

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