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Portland Art Museum
Major exhibitions complement the museum’s strong Native American and Northwest collections.
Know Before You Go
The museum is open with tickets available online or in-person. Current exhibits include Mesh, featuring artists whose work touches on current social issues including the ongoing fight against racial injustice and conflicts over Indigenous land rights.
A highly anticipated exhibit featuring the works of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera is open now through June 5, 2022. A special ticket is required for this exhibit. For more information, please visit the Portland Art Museum website.
The Portland Art Museum is the largest art museum in Oregon and one of the oldest in the country. Located in two historic buildings on Portland’s South Park Blocks, the museum is central to the city’s cultural district and houses a large and wide-ranging collection of art.
#reopeningpdx Video Tour
Portland Art Museum Campus and History
First organized in 1892, the museum’s first exhibition was a set of magnificent plaster casts of Greek and Roman sculpture, now displayed in the upper hall of the city’s library. In 1932, the museum moved into the primary building, designed by Pietro Belluschi: a gracious contemporary update of the Georgian style, sleek-lined and advanced in its ideas. The museum’s renovation of the Masonic temple to its immediate north added more exhibition and office space to the campus in 2005.
Belluschi’s original design was ahead of its time. It was airy and admitted natural light into the museum’s galleries, especially the court beyond the entryway, and the visitor today experiences that grand space as a sort of surprise, given the museum’s relative scale. More wings were added, first to house the Pacific Northwest College of Art then known as the Museum Art School and ultimately separated into its own institution) and then a warren of smaller galleries. The old Masonic temple has become the Jubitz Center of Modern and Contemporary Art, though its old, ornate meeting rooms have been retained.
Northwest art is a primary attraction, cataloging the developments in Western art traditions in Oregon and Washington since the 19th century.
Portland Art Museum Collections
The museum has strong collections of prints and drawings, photography, Asian art, Native American (especially Pacific Coast) art, and Northwest art, and its European and American collections contain some extraordinary individual pieces, especially from the 19th and 20th centuries. The huge prints and drawings collection was built largely by the late Gordon Gilkey and include Old Masters printmakers (Dürer, Rembrandt) and the most recent examples of the art forms. And under chief curator Bruce Guenther, the museum’s modern art holdings have increased dramatically, in part because of the addition of the collection of the great modernist critic Clement Greenberg, which gives the museum a unique window into the development of advanced art in the mid-20th century.
Native American Art
The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Center was sourced from two primary collectors: the Rasmussen Collection of Northwest Coast art, with its fabulous masks and whaling canoes, and the encyclopedic collection of Elizabeth Cole, which brings the exquisite work of Southwest, Plains, Plateau and Woodlands tribes into focus. The collection is dedicated to all the Native American tribes of Oregon.
Northwest Art
Northwest art is a primary attraction, cataloging the developments in Western art traditions in Oregon and Washington since the 19th century. The museum’s curators have wisely spread this work throughout the galleries, placing the best work of Northwest abstractionists alongside their more celebrated New York peers, for example, but a gallery specifically dedicated to Northwest art supplies a good introduction to the fine artists who have worked here (C.S. Price, Mark Tobey, Morris Graves, Hilda and Carl Morris, Sally Haley and Michele Russo).
Tips for Visiting the Portland Art Museum
How do I get to the Portland Art Museum?
Is there parking available?
The closest private lot is Central City Parking at SW 10th and Main.
Do I need to reserve tickets in advance?
How much does the Portland Art Museum cost?
- $25 for adults (18 and over)
- $22 for seniors 62+ and college students
- Free for children 17 and under
Special exhibition and program fees may apply.
Details are subject to change; please check the Portland Art Museum website for current information.
Visual Art Events
Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism
Internationally beloved artists Frida Kahlo (1907–1954) and Diego Rivera (1886–1957) played a crucial role in defining and establishing the Avant-Garde cultural movement in Mexico in the early 20th century. Their famously stormy marriage reflected their diverging artistic styles: While Rivera’s art projected itself outward, often in vast murals and concerned itself with the construction of…
Mt. Tabor Art Walk
The Mt. Tabor Art Walk is a Portland tradition. This juried show and sale is a great opportunity to see quality visual art and meet artists in their studios and homes. Diverse media are represented including photography, painting, ceramics, sculpture, prints, metal arts, photography, glass, jewelry, book arts and mosaics. The Mt. Tabor Art Walk…
Last Thursday
Art Walk on Alberta This boisterous street fair attracts independent artists, performers, local bands, troupes of acrobats, buskers, makers and more to celebrate their art on Northeast Alberta Street. Held year-round, the event is biggest from June through August, when the street is closed to traffic during the festivities from 15th Avenue to 30th Avenue….
Multnomah County Fair
The Multnomah County Fair will take place May 28-30, 2022 at Oaks Amusement Park in Portland, Oregon. The fair features three full days of family fun including competitive exhibits, musical and stage performances, a car show, pioneer village, as well as small animal activities. In addition, to all the fair activities, visitors can also enjoy…
Mike Bennett's Dinolandia
Beloved local artist Mike Bennett presents Dinolandia in downtown Portland from May 31 to September 10, 2022. The immersive walk-through two-story museum features more than 50 species of dinosaurs, ranging from the chicken-sized Compsognathus to the massive floor-to-ceiling T. Rex! Per Mike’s signature style, many of the 1,000+ cutouts are made from reclaimed plywood and…
Rose Festival Art Show
The Oregon Society of Artists (OSA) is proud to host the Rose Festival Art Show, celebrating roses and the city. Various mediums will be on display by over 50 artists at the OSA gallery and online. This juried art show is open to everyone.
First Thursday in the Pearl District
Started in 1986, First Thursday in the Pearl is a district-wide celebration that occurs on the first Thursday of each month. Originally a gathering of art collectors and dealers, the celebration has grown to a monthly event of over ten thousand people that includes art enthusiasts, wine aficionados, and scenesters looking to see and be…
Latino Cultural Festival
The 16th Annual Washington County Chamber Latino Cultural Festival provides a culturally appropriate venue for sharing information and building community connections while offering businesses and non-profits the chance to showcase their services to more than 10,000 attendees. The celebration kicks off with a parade featuring Hillsboro elementary students, dancers, and musicians. Attendees will enjoy entertainment…
Grand Floral Float Showcase
Take a closer look at this year’s Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade floats at the Grand Floral Float Showcase on Southwest Naito Parkway, adjacent to CityFair. These unique floats are meticulously decorated with natural materials like seeds and coconut flakes in addition to live flowers.
Rose Festival Spirit Mountain Casino Grand Floral Parade
A cherished highlight of the Portland Rose Festival, this popular procession is more than a spectacular floral-filled parade; it’s a beloved annual tradition. For more than 100 years, Portland families, visitors and community groups have been making memories at the Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade. A colorful reflection of local, regional and international communities, the…
Portland Indigenous Marketplace
Portland Indigenous Marketplace supports indigenous artists and entrepreneurs by providing barrier-free, culturally respectful spaces that encourage cultural resilience and economic sustainability by promoting public education through cultural arts. Indigenous & Black Vendors Raffle Music You can not miss it, in the parking lot 432 NE 74th Ave Portland, OR 97213 Plenty of parking available on-site…
GeekCraft Expo
GeekCraft Expo is a curated craft market specializing in handmade, “geek”-themed crafts of all kinds; clothing, accessories, toys, home decoration, furniture, art . . . if it’s geeky and made by hand, it can be found at a GeekCraft Expo. Cosplay is highly encouraged and admission is free (you just need to pre-register).
Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts
For more than 50 years, the Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts has proudly presented unique art exhibits including more than 600 local, national, and international artists. Visitors can also experience live music on two stages, performances, kids’ activities, artist demos, and a variety of food. It’s free to the public (donations encouraged) and attracts…
Portland Fashion Week
Portland Fashion Week, the Sundance™ of Fashion Weeks, is the 3rd oldest fashion week series in the United States, TIME ™ Magazine’s “BEST Indie Fashion Week in the USA since 2012, and the only carbon-negative fashion week in the world as outlined by The Huffington Post. From top-of-the-line eco-chic fashion experiences to our support for…
Multnomah Days
Join in one of the oldest Street Fairs in Portland Portland’s Multnomah Village is filled with character – as well as dozens of unique shops, galleries, restaurants, arts and more. Multnomah Days is a one-day open-air family-friendly street festival with 100+ vendor booths, live musical acts performing on the Bridge Main Stage, street entertainers, art,…
Art In The Pearl Fine Arts & Crafts Festival
Portland’s Art In The Pearl Fine Arts and Craft Festival celebrates 26 years of bringing art to the community. The distinctly artist-run event has long been a favorite in Portland, and it’s the perfect Labor Day destination to gather and celebrate the end of summer. Art In The Pearl is Portland’s largest outdoor art fair,…
Rose City Comic Con
Portland’s premier pop-culture event, Rose City Comic Con is produced locally with a focus on creating a fun and friendly event for everyone. While its primary focus is that of comics, comic creators and the creative process, Rose City Comic Con also provides its attendees with access to gaming, sci-fi, cosplay, anime, fantasy and everything…
Portland Open Studios: Artists At Work
For two weekends every October, Portland Open Studios invites visitors to explore the houses and offices of artists across the city.
Paintings by Amy Daileda
Micro Flora – Botanical Paintings by Amy Daileda For the month of May Portland artist Amy Daileda will be exhibiting her newest plant paintings at Flour Market Bakery, which is mere blocks from where her subjects grow. Enjoy an in-depth view into the sublime beauty of magnified flowers. Connect to nature through the botanical details…
The World of Leonardo da Vinci
Explore one of the most influential thinkers of the Renaissance, from his engineering marvels to artistic masterpieces at The World of Leonardo da Vinci. Featuring two original da Vinci folios from the 500-year-old Codex Atlanticus along with more than thirty reconstructions of his extraordinary machines. Considered one of history’s greatest minds and talents, Leonardo da…
Gifts from Japan: A Horticultural Tale Told through Botanical Art
Gifts from Japan: A Horticultural Tale Told through Botanical Art illuminates the unique origin stories of many flowers that are now widely presumed native to the United States. Featuring a collection of richly captured botanical illustrations from the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Garden (CA), these artworks present a window into the Japanese American…
APEX: Sharita Towne & A Black Art Ecology of Portland
A “true grandchild of the Great Migration,” Sharita Towne creates installations that are multi-voiced, poetic, and informative. As a transdisciplinary artist, Towne has built a practice steeped in the work of collaboration, cultural organizing, and arts infrastructure building. Towne’s exhibition for the APEX series is a culmination of this work that takes her to the…
Color Line: Black Excellence on the World Stage
At the International Exposition of 1900 in Paris, American sociologist, historian, and civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois put together “The American Negro Exhibit,” a remarkable collection of more than 300 photographs of African-American men and women, homes, churches, businesses and universities. These photographs were paired with a series of charts and graphs designed by…
Dream Refuge for Children Imprisoned
The Japanese American Museum of Oregon presents Na Omi Judy Shintani’s Dream Refuge for Children Imprisoned, an installation exploring the trauma experienced by children who have been incarcerated. Shintani has arranged cots, life-sized drawings of children, space blankets, and woven fabrics into a circular formation in the museum, creating a sacred space for listening to…
Renewal in Pics and Paper
April Last Thursday Reception: “RENEWAL IN PICS AND PAPER” Featuring Kim Nickens and Gary Grossman 6-8 pm Paper artist Kim Nickens and photographer Gary Grossman have come together to create a show featuring their work which is very different but complements each other well, showing renewal as we move into spring. Kim has created a…
Through the Trees
Last Thursday Opening Reception: “THROUGH THE TREES” “THROUGH THE TREES” highlights the work of local artists MICHELLE PURVIS and MAQUETTE. Opening LAST THURSDAY, April 28th, 6 pm to 8 pm and runs until May 24
Rick Silva: PEAKING
Oregon Contemporary presents PEAKING, a solo exhibition by artist Rick Silva (Eugene, OR). PEAKING is the second exhibition in our large-scale program Site, a series of exhibitions by Oregon artists replacing the PortlandBiennial 2021. The exhibition centers on Silva’s newest video work of the same name, which visualizes over a million variations of a floating…
Floratopia
FLORATOPIA Blossoms in Portland The Portland Garden Club is hosting a world-class flower show, “Floratopia”. The show features exhibits from professional and novice floral designers, horticulturists and photographers from around the country. More than 80 judges from all over the U.S. will be on hand to critique and award ribbons to the winning entries. All…
Intro to Watercolor: Floral Painting
Learn foundational watercolor techniques and take home your own botanical watercolor creations in this all levels workshop. Local artist Amy Wike teaches insider tips and tricks of the watercolor medium, introduces essential materials and techniques, and takes participants through a painting tutorial using a floral arrangement by Grate Company as inspiration. Mimosas, coffee, and light…
It’s Often a Performance
It’s Often a Performance Brittney Connelly Opening Reception: Saturday, May 7 from 5-8 pm Brittney Connelly Brittney Connelly (b. 1985) fervently believes that one should challenge the structures that encircle our understanding of what art is, was, or can be. In keeping true to this mantra her physical output often varies in format ranging from…
Little Star
Little Star Leslie Vigeant Opening Reception: Saturday, May 7 from 5-8 pm Little Star is a quiet and gentle ode to grief and recovery. A volleying of wants and desires, trumps and failures. This work was created one step, one small painting, one idea at a time. It was made slowly, but with haste. Leslie…
Crochet a Daisy Granny Square
This workshop is IN PERSON Join Modern Macramé for a Crochet Workshop at their new space. In this workshop, you’ll learn one of the foundational crochet techniques, the Granny Square. Granny squares are the building blocks of beginner crochet. These satisfying little squares can be colorful or monotone, perfectly flat or dappled with texture, wildly…
Basket Weaving Workshop
Explore the basics of basketry and learn to weave a basket, suitable for a harvesting basket, homework basket, or whatever you can dream up! Students will be able to choose the rough dimensions (to a limit) of their custom basket as we explore different techniques to weave into their utile carrier. Over the course of…
Writing on the Landscape: Reimagining Monuments and Memorials
Join David Harrelson and Jess Perlitz in this workshop, where they will share thoughts and considerations about the contemporary monument and memorial discussion. Using two proposals submitted by Grand Ronde as test cases, they will discuss some of the ideas and issues at stake. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in smaller group conversation…
A Last Thursday Event: "Sacred Amazonia"
Celebrate the beauty of the tropical rainforest with “Sacred Amazonia”, featuring painters Aleksandra Apocalisse and Jessica Lynn Clark. Jessica’s vision is to cultivate mindfulness, evoking an inner connection to your own vibrant spirit, to humanity, to the value of wildlife and to the system which connects us all to Mother Earth. Aleksandra’s work is informed…
A Last Thursday Event: "The Pacific North Wild West Show"
“The Pacific North Wild West Show” Colorful fused glass by Linda Gerrard, rich photography by Gary Grossman, and warm wood art by Heather Kolbo Three local artists present an exciting mix of mediums brought together to emphasize and celebrate our truly diverse ecosystem of the Pacific Northwest. Come to Alberta Street Gallery May 26-June 28…
Judy Chicago
Turning Inward, JUDY CHICAGO, From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation, traces Judy Chicago’s development as an artist and Jewish woman across six decades, from her early formal vocabulary of geometric color abstraction and Land Art pyrotechnic installations to the powerful explorations of self-identity, power politics of gender, and her personal…
Abstract Landscapes – Intuitive Painting Workshop
We’re all artists. This class is for everyone, with no previous painting experience necessary. Through the mind, body, and soul practices, enliven your already established creative practice or offer a start fresh. This workshop offers insight into the intuitive painting process, including prompts to get you started, tips for mark-making, techniques for building layers with…
Culinaria: Alison Heryer’s Picnic
Culinaria: Alison Heryer’s Picnic Alison Heryer will host her work Picnic in the courtyard at Oregon Contemporary to foster meaningful connections in our socially awkward post-Covid context. Picnic is a social engagement initiative Heryer began in Kansas City in 2012 that encouraged community building and shared discourse through the collective creation of large-scale quilts. For…
Bad World
Crave Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Bad World, a deeply resonant and defiantly hopeful new musical about the experience of survivors of sexual assault. With music by James Liptak and Kylie Jenifer Rose and lyrics by Kylie Jenifer Rose and Jennifer Provenza, Bad World boasts a dynamic and nuanced score that fuses rock,…
Nordic Folktales Reimagined Exhibit
Folktales inspire those young and old. They harken back to childhood and stories of culture and home. This exhibit showcases tales of the past from voices of contemporary artists. Our exhibit hall will be the home to work from local artists who have reimagined classical Nordic folktales. These tales include The Witch in the Stone…
Greater Portland Iris Society Show
Celebrate the elegant beauty of irises on June 18. The Greater Portland Iris Society returns to the Garden after many years to present a special, judged show of two varieties of late-season irises. Native to Japan, Iris ensata is commonly known as “Japanese iris” outside of Japan. In Japan, 花菖蒲 (hanashobu) has been cultivated for…
Street Bazaar at the Electric Blocks
The producers behind Portland Flea, Roux Portland, and Portland Bazaar are now bringing a new summer series to the city. Street Bazaar brings the bold flavors, bright colors, and vibrant energy of Portland’s food, drink, art, and music scene together for a series of festive Friday nights in the Central Eastside. See some of the…
International Multicultural Showcase
A Show Celebrating The Diversity In All Of Its Forms. The Mission of the Oregon Society of Artists is to promote the visual arts in the diverse communities of our region, with educational and exhibition opportunities for artists at all levels of accomplishment.
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