1. Portland Art Museum
The Portland Art Museum, nestled in the heart of Portland, Oregon, stands as a beacon for art enthusiasts and casual visitors alike, offering an expansive journey through the corridors of artistic expression that span the globe and traverse centuries. As one of the oldest art museums in the United States, it boasts an impressive collection that exceeds 42,000 pieces, ensuring that every visit is a unique exploration of humanity's creative legacy. The museum's layout is a thoughtful curation of diverse cultures and eras, from the ancient to the contemporary, with particular strengths in Native American art, English silver, graphic arts, and a commendable array of modern and contemporary art.
Beyond its permanent collections, the Portland Art Museum is celebrated for its dynamic special exhibitions, which often bring world-renowned works to the Pacific Northwest, fostering a dialogue between local art communities and global artistic movements. The museum's commitment to education and outreach is evident through its extensive array of programs, workshops, and lectures, designed to engage visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
The museum's architecture itself is a testament to its history and purpose, with the original building's elegant, early 20th-century design complemented by modern expansions that blend seamlessly into the museum's urban surroundings. This juxtaposition mirrors the museum's mission: to bridge the past and present through art.
For travelers deciding where to visit in Portland, the Portland Art Museum offers not just an opportunity to view art, but to experience the stories, emotions, and ideas that art conveys, making it a must-visit destination for anyone looking to immerse themselves in cultural enrichment and artistic inspiration.
Exhibits:
- Throughlines: Connections in the Collection" is an exhibition at the Portland Art Museum running from February 8 to November 1, 2024. It aims to inspire wonder and curiosity by showcasing artworks from the museum's collections across diverse geographies, cultures, and time periods. The exhibition explores artistic innovation through themes of portraiture, representation, environmental views, and unconventional uses of imagery, materials, and color. It's part of the museum's broader efforts to engage visitors with the joy and wonder of the artistic process through collaborative designs and event series (Portland Art Museum)
- 2024 Venice Biennale—Jeffrey Gibson: the space in which to place me: The Portland Art Museum, in collaboration with SITE Santa Fe and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is presenting Jeffrey Gibson at the 60th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia. The exhibition, titled "Jeffrey Gibson: the space in which to place me," will be on view from April 20 to November 24, 2024. Gibson's work combines American, Indigenous, and Queer histories with pop culture influences, creating a unique visual language that encourages deep reflection on identity and promotes a broader understanding of democracy and freedom (Portland Art Museum)
- Monet to Matisse: French Moderns: The Portland Art Museum is hosting "Monet to Matisse: French Moderns" from June 8 to September 15, 2024. This exhibition features around 60 works from the Brooklyn Museum's European art collection, highlighting France's role in international modernism from the mid-nineteenth to mid-twentieth centuries. Visitors can explore a range of styles including Impressionism, Symbolism, Fauvism, Cubism, and Surrealism through pieces by artists like Paul Cézanne, Marc Chagall, Edgar Degas, Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and others (Portland Art Museum).
2. Oregon State University (OSU)
Oregon State University hosts a vibrant art scene, evident in its range of galleries and exhibitions that feature works from students, faculty, and renowned artists alike. These exhibitions span various forms of media, including photography, painting, and sculpture, providing a platform for artistic expression and dialogue within the university community. Events like the Avant-Garden Party and showcases of individual artists such as Holly Andres and Rob Schwimmer, along with the performances by the OSU Jazz Ensemble, enrich the cultural tapestry of OSU, making it a significant center for arts in the region.
- The Avant-Garden Party is an event hosted by Montage: Fine art club at Oregon State University, featuring a blend of art and music. It's scheduled for Friday, May 3, from 1:00pm to 5:00pm outside Fairbanks Hall. Attendees can look forward to an extravaganza with live music from the local band Bluessence (Oregon State Events).
- The exhibit "Wings by Holly Andres" is on display from April 8 to May 19 at Fairbanks Hall. Holly Andres, known for her stylized cinematic photographs, explores themes that are often mysterious or humorous. Her work, recognized and exhibited globally, delves into narratives that captivate viewers through vivid storytelling. This exhibition promises an engaging look into her significant contributions to both the art world and various prestigious publications. Details on an artist reception and talk are still forthcoming (Oregon State Events).
- Rob Schwimmer will perform at the Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts, Detrick Concert Hall, on Thursday, May 23 at 7:00 pm. The event, part of the "Sonic Booms" exhibition, showcases Schwimmer's virtuosity on piano, theremin, and Haken Continuum. Recognized for his mastery, particularly on the theremin, Schwimmer's performance aims to explore new sonic territories, inviting the audience to experience unique soundscapes. Tickets are priced at $20 (Oregon State Events).
- The OSU Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Ryan Biesack, will perform on Wednesday, June 5, at 7:00pm at the Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts, Detrick Concert Hall. The ensemble promises a night of jazz ranging from classic standards to modern arrangements, with a focus on improvisation and musical conversation. Tickets are priced at $10 (Oregon State Events).
3. Oregon Contemporary Art
- The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art is set to host a solo exhibition titled "Terry Toedtemeier: Photographer" from May 4 to August 11, 2024. This exhibition will showcase a collection of prints by Toedtemeier, gifted by his friends, family, and colleagues, highlighting his journey from early experimental works in the 1970s to his later, finely detailed Northwest landscape images. Toedtemeier's unique blend of scientific insight and artistic interpretation showcases the beauty of geological processes through photography. The exhibition is curated by Thom Sempere, Associate Curator of Photography (pdxcontemporaryart)
- Jenene Nagy's exhibition "The Weight" is currently showcased at the Helzer Gallery, Portland Community College, until May 4, 2024. This exhibition is a deep exploration of form and material, highlighting a decade-long journey through concepts of labor, ritual, and the elemental connections between earth and humanity. Nagy utilizes graphite on paper to invite viewers into a realm of contemplation, focusing on the essence of creation and perception devoid of narrative spectacle. An artist talk and gallery reception is scheduled for April 18, offering deeper insights into Nagy's artistic process (PDX Contemporary Art).
4. Eugene Venues
- Maude Kerns Art Center Presents - Marvelous Maude’s Art Studio Tour, April 13th 11AM - 5PM.
- The Karin Clarke Gallery is hosting "The Northwest Landscape," an invitational exhibit featuring some of the Pacific Northwest's most dynamic contemporary and historical landscape painters. Running from January 31 through April 27, 2024, the exhibit showcases works by artists such as Mark Clarke, Margaret Coe, Bets Cole, Carl Hall, Hart James, David McCosh, and Erik Sandgren. Each artist brings a unique perspective to capturing and celebrating the Northwest landscape, deepening viewers' perception and appreciation of it (Karin Clarke Gallery)
- The White Lotus Gallery is currently featuring "Space and Dimension," an exhibition of woodblock and silkscreen prints by Funasaka Yoshisuke. Running until April 27, 2024, it showcases the artist's unique visual language, characterized by motifs like lemons, holes, and linear designs. Funasaka, a celebrated printmaker with a significant global presence, integrates mica powder into his work for subtle surface contrasts (White Lotus Gallery).