All events listed occur on the first Friday of the month and are free and open to all visitors unless otherwise specified.
supernova and H0pe | GAGALLERY
Join us for an opening reception of ahuva sz’s SUPERNOVA and her hand-selected accompanying group exhibition h0pe at Gagallery. Refreshments and vegan snacks will be served.
A supernova is a powerful explosion marking the death of a massive star. When a star exhausts its nuclear fuel, it can no longer support itself against gravitational collapse, leading to a supernova—one of the most energetic events in the universe. Supernovae play a crucial role in the cosmic cycle of matter, as they destroy stars and disperse heavy elements into space, which contribute to the formation of new stars, planets, and life.
Supernova SN H0pe refers to a specific discovery that helps refine measurements of the universe’s expansion rate, known as the Hubble coånstant (H0). Named SN H0pe for its significance in solving discrepancies in current cosmological models, it represents hope in resolving one of today’s pressing cosmological issues.
In the context of hope, a “supernova hope” metaphorically represents a powerful, transformative surge of hope, akin to a supernova’s burst of energy. Just as a supernova signals the end of a star but also creates the building blocks for new stars and planets, hope can emerge from collapse, leading to new beginnings. The geodesic dome symbolizes innovation, freedom, strength, sustainability, and community. Together, these two concepts reflect a harmonious relationship between structure and transformation, simplicity and power, death and rebirth.
Supernova exhibition presents an installation of painting I have been working on during 2024—a challenging time of trying to process a dark and destructive state, when the whole was shredded to pieces and keeping a safe place was a struggle.
H0pe is an invitational group show with the selection based on discovering common ground between the supernova painting and the other works, whether through form or content. The result is a vibrant, colorful collection that weaves together community, creativity, growth and hope.
5 PM – 8 PM @ 2035 SE Belmont St., Portland, OR
Gregory Hergert: WERKSTATT Art Opening | Sidestreet Arts
Step into the Workshop! Join us for an all-new show of work by Portland artist Gregory Hergert.
Sidestreet Arts is delighted to have a one-man featured show with Gregory Hergert. An extremely gifted and dedicated painter, Gregory is a local artist, living and working in SE Portland. He is also one of the founders of Brassworks Gallery located in SE Portland. Hergert has invented a form of “Urban Surrealism Art Movement” which captures the grittiness of the city with a unique sense of humor. In his form of Urban Surrealism, he is both a master of light and shadow and realism, making him a formidable painter. He has also had a huge impact on the art community, and has influenced many younger painters in the Portland area.
5 PM – 7 PM @ 140 SE 28th Ave., Portland, OR
Occulture Art Show: Dia de los Muertos | Past Lives Makerspace
Experience a unique group art show featuring a blend of local Pacific Northwest artists, creators from Past Lives Makerspace, and currently incarcerated artists. Showcasing an eclectic mix of mystical art and fine crafts—including paintings, encaustics, metalwork, ceramics, soft sculpture, drawings, and collage—the exhibition explores themes of surrender and the natural rhythms of life, death, and rebirth.
This month’s show honors The Day of the Dead and includes a cultural sharing and an authentic Mexican folkloric dance performance by Ballet Papalotl.
We warmly invite everyone to participate in our Community Ofrenda by bringing:
-Framed photos of deceased loved ones
-Offerings of their favorite flowers, items, or beverages
-Battery-operated tealights or candles
Please note: To honor the cultural significance of the event, we kindly request that patrons refrain from wearing costumes or sugar skull makeup.
7 PM – 10 PM @ 2808 SE 9th Ave., Portland, OR
Pretty Things | Splendorporium Gallery
Splendorporium Gallery invites you to the opening of our Pretty Things Show on Friday, November 1st 2024, 7-9 PM.
This show features new work by Zack Hryndej and 26 other local artists working in a variety of media.
The Children’s Gallery (inside the main gallery) will be featuring new work by students in our Art4Life program.
We will have live piano music by Robert Bomstad,
Oracle Typewriter Poetry by Ghost
and sweet treats for sale by Lili Mae’s Confections.
The show hangs through December 19th.
Regular gallery hours are weekdays 11-5.
Pictured: Carrietta, Wood, Velvet and Aluminum by Zack Hryndej
7 PM – 9 PM @ 3421 SE 21st Ave, Portland, OR
Jordan Plotner | Clinton Street Coffeehouse
Join us for live music from Ned andWendy the Band, as well as, Patrick Campion
Jordan Plotner is an award-winning multi-disciplinary artist based in Portland, Oregon.
He lives with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a rare connective tissue disorder, and during the pandemic, while continuing to recover from spinal fusion surgery, he began drawing. His paintings, scratchboards, photographs and drawings, inspired by the inner workings of the body and the world around him, have since been featured in exhibitions in Milan, LA, and Portland, and can be found in private collections across the country.
As the glam-folk duo Ned and Wendy the Band, Jordan and his wife Lindsey perform their original music regularly in venues, dive bars, back yards, and speakeasies around the city and beyond. They have released three albums, and are in production on their fourth. Jordan and Lindsey are co-hosts of the radio show, City Hums on KXRW Vancouver 99.9 FM, highlighting independent artists from the Portland area.
As a composer, Jordan’s music has appeared in over fifty films, TV shows, and commercials, and has appeared on concert stages around the world.
His first film, a short opera made during his first year at college, won Best Narrative Film at the Yale Student Film Festival. In 2021, Jordan and Lindsey made a short musical film about their love story. “Welcome Home Ned and Wendy” premiered at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and went on to win Best Romance Film at the LA Film Awards. Jordan and Lindsey are currently co-directing their first feature documentary film, “Garden Party” about the making of a magical backyard concert extravaganza.
Jordan is currently editing his first book, The Unfolding – a very personal tale of medical adventure and misadventure, a love story, a musical memoir, a family epic, and a spiritual odyssey.
Outside of his artistic practices, Jordan spends his days meditating, chatting with strangers, going on adventures with Lindsey, and playing with their ragdoll cat Betty.
5 PM – 7 PM @ 2706 SE 26th Ave., Portland, OR
Gallery of Spirits | Jaja PDX
This Friday at @jajapdx join us for Gallery of Spirits, an interactive black light art party!
7 PM – 12 AM @ 819 SE Taylor St., Portland, OR
Artists’ open studios | east creative collectivE
Fall into Art at:
First Friday Artists’ Open Studios from 6pm-9pm!
Bear down to the artistic cool on Friday night at: East
Creative Collective
211 SE Madison St in Portland Oregon.
New work, new artists, a new Summer!
We’re creating something different in painting, drawing, jewelry, photography and more!
See the artists and craftspeople then drop by @wonderlove_pdx for a bite after your hunger for art!
6 PM – 9 PM @ 211 SE Madison St., Portland, OR
First Friday | Manifestation
6 PM – 9 PM @ 2020 SE Bush St., Portland, OR
Contact Us
We do our best to make the list as complete as possible, if you have an event or correction you would like to see listed please send show details to Info@FirstFridayPDX.org or use our easy online event submission form.