The Latest

This month, the art we're seeing seems to be all about honoring our surroundings. Whether it's floral compositions, honoring home or structures that can’t escape our memory, meticulous geometric abstraction, or contemplative works in soft pastels. 

While we are seeing some more exploratory and humorous approaches, there is also work that carries a heavier weight. We are highlighting items created from memories of those we’ve lost, including two specific exhibitions dedicated to honoring their work and legacy.

On a lighter note, you can also look forward to playful, airbrushed ceramics, meticulous sculptural and fiber-based works, and we’re seeing more abstract work vs. figurative compositions. As usual, we’re sharing everything that has come across our radar this month – well at least before our newsletter goes out…

We’re always looking for events to highlight and share. While editorial selections drive content, we want to thank everyone who uses our submissions. All submissions help keep this newsletter going and this platform equitable and sustainable, so we want to call that out and say we truly appreciate you! 

Whether you submit on a one-off or consistent basis, or are a member (hint, hint), many of the exhibitions we feature would be included regardless. Still, by submitting, you help keep this newsletter free and accessible. It makes the time and energy we put into compiling and sharing this information here and on Instagram truly worth it. 

Collaborations

Last month, we shared that we were popping up at PAM CUT for a special screening of Bande à part by Jean-Luc Godard, a 1964 French New Wave film. As artists, we appreciate how French New Wave films disrupted traditional film conventions at the time by being more spontaneous and artistic. A favorite aspect is how you’ll often see the same scene from different angles. We created a special edition neighborhood Art & Culture guide for Division Street + scavenger hunt filled with some of our favorite places around the Tomorrow Theater.

We’re also super excited to share that this year, we’re partnering with the Portland Pickles to share their Artist Series posters! We'll be sharing more about the artists throughout the season, but you can see a highlight of the upcoming May posters below. Stay tuned for more on that and some upcoming ticket giveaways! We love supporting local artists, and have been fans of Dillon and the gang since they started. 

Recently

Getting into the local scene, here are a few things we've been seeing and want to share:

We just went to see Satpreet Kahlon’s installation at PICA, the Oregon Contemporary Biennial, Kim Gronquist at SE Cooper Contemporary, Jenene Nagy at PDX Contemporary Art and more…Dan Gluibizzi show last month at Russo Lee is sticking with us.

The PICA Gala on Saturday, May 9, is "Funhouse"- themed. If you want to support a great organization, I highly suggest checking it out, donating, or entering their incredible raffles. A gentle reminder to make sure we’re collectively supporting the organizations in our community that support artists!

Speaking of galas, the Converge 45 Triennial, Here, To you, Now, curated by Lumi Tan is coming up August 27, and their gala is on May 23, leading up to their triennial events this summer. More on that in the coming months.

Work With Us: If you’d like us to come by and create a reel for your show, please reach out! While we create many reels ourselves, we love partnering with organizations, galleries, and artists to share exhibits in this format.

That’s all for now. Thanks for reading, and here’s a song to listen to while you check out what’s coming up this month! Tim Maia - É Necessário

P.S. Want to explore something further? Just click any image to learn more about the events and features we’ve highlighted. All events and exhibitions are free unless otherwise listed. If you are directed to our directed to our profile, a post will be forthcoming so keep an eye out…

New On View

The Center for Contemporary Art & Culture

A memorial exhibition honors the artistic achievement and community impact of David Eckard, an artist and educator who touched the lives of generations of students, having served as Associate Professor and Head of the Sculpture Department of PNCA from 2000-2025, Curated by Daniel Duford, on view through June 27.

Dedication, featuring work by Pamela Hadley, Hannah Newman, Yuyang Zhang, Tammy Jo Wilson, Curated by Tammy Jo Wilson for CCAC’s Guest Curatorial program, up until May 16.

PNCA BFA Thesis students show, up until May 10. First Thursday reception, May 7, 5– 8 pm

Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education (OJMCHE)

In This Sand: Seven Days of Collective Care is a weeklong series (May 18–24) of public and private community events that will take place in the Main Gallery at OJMCHE. In This Sand invites Portland religious leaders, healers, artists, and activists to utilize Cara Levine’s exhibition Without End as a site for grief processing and embodied healing.  All events are free with registration. In This Sand is presented as part of Without End: Recent Work on Grief by Cara Levine, on view through May 31. Free admission First Thursday, May 7, 4—7 p.m.

Seattle

Portland Art Dealers Association Exhibits

We are enjoying working with PADA to highlight their member exhibitions and events. There is some nice overlap with their members and ours — so this collaboration just makes sense.

Other shows catching our eye…

Ethereal Reflections presents HERITAGE, a group exhibition exploring what we inherit, what we keep, and what we choose to redefine at Design Portland May 15, 6-10 p.m. The BASED Show at The Contrast Gallery, May 7 6:30—9 p.m. Poetry reading at Partly/Musique Plastique May 22, 7—9 p.m. Mark Wayne at Fern & Wolf all through May. RAIN SUN FLOWER, Mohamed Omar & Shino Takeda at Lowell. Outer Voice Real Time on May 24 at 5 p.m. various short contemporary art works in video, audio, dance, performance art, and more.

Still On View

As always, we hope our Newsletter encourages you to explore the vibrant art scene here in Portland and throughout the Pacific Northwest. Send feedback, comments, questions, and gossip our way. Thank you for reading! xoxo, Ash ◡̈ ✿