Transformation and the Art of Ghosts

The end of summer is always bittersweet, but when the looming ghosts of winter mix unnervingly with the vivid palette of fall, there is also an undeniable energy in the air. This energy is a potent force for connecting to the creative energy of the subconscious and everything that lurks, hidden in shadows. This is also the celebratory aspect of Halloween; transformation or destruction is only a matter of perspective, and life is nothing without change.  And few things are more celebratory of transformation then art, and especially the dark art of First Friday 😉 Hope to see you for a spooky night of art and ghosts this Friday! Noah Alexander Isaac Stein First Friday PDX President

OCTOBER ART EVENTS

AN ENDLESS PARADE OF GHOSTS | RADIUS ART STUDIO Our First Friday Gallery opening features spooky artwork by painter Jasòn Edward Davis and ceramic artist Rae Pierce. Stop by and say hi to the artists, and let the work give you goosebumps of excitement 🦴 5 PM – 8 PM @ 2324 SE Belmont St. Portland OR 97214

ANTHESIS: ARNOLD PANDER | PUSHDOT STUDIO Anthesis Original Watercolors on paper by Arnold PanderWorks in watercolor depicting floral still life’s in various states of bloom.After the death of my mother in 2016, I went into a very reflective place and my artwork took a more internal turn. I submerged into the sensual and fragile creative medium of watercolor.With each new series of works in this pigment based traditional art form, it exercised my mind and soul from a state of mourning to a place of healing while finding a new language in which to create. This new series of watercolors I spared the subject matter down to this body of floral still lifes that I have entitled “Anthesis”, named for the period or act of expansion in flowers which also echoes the process of my own creative discovery in watercolor. 6 PM – 8 PM @ 2505 SE 11th Ave, Suite 104, Portland, OR, 97202

FIRST FRIDAY OPEN STUDIOS | EAST CREATIVE COLLECTIVE  Step inside the studios and meet the artists of the East Creative Collective. Featuring the art of 15 local artists and creators, live karaoke by Community Jams, international mural painting for Palestine and Ukrainian, and more. 6 PM – 9 PM @  211 SE Madison St., Portland, OR, 97214

THE TAROT SHOW | SPLENDORPORIUM 7 PM – 9 PM @ 3421 SE 21st Ave., Portland, OR 97214

THE HOUSE THAT HAUNTS US ALL | AFRU GALLERY An eclectic look at Halloween, and the things that go bump in the night. AFRU and Sincanvas presents a show of the classic Haunted Houses we all loved going to when we were young! When Halloween was REAL fun!!! Featuring: Sincanvas, Gavin Eveland, Nik Sin, & Aine Kennedy. DJ StrawberryPickle from Rainbow City playing some amazing music! 7 PM – Close @ 534 SE Oak St., Portland, OR 97214

START YOUR ENGINES | FORD GALLERY PDX  Start Your Engines group Art Show featuring the work of local PNW artists who call the ford building their home. We are gearing up for a new era under new management with our inaugural exhibit opening on Friday October 7th from 5-8 pm. 6 PM – 8 PM @  2505 SE 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97202

NATURE IS CALLING: AMELIA LICHTENBERG | EARTH SPACE PDX We are honored to announce “Nature is Calling”, Amelia Lichtenberg’s solo exhibition that opens Friday October 7th from 6-10pm here at Earth Space! @am.licht.art🍄We can’t wait to see the nature inspired work that Amelia has in store for us! Mycology lovers and appreciators, you won’t want to miss this one 😉Gong Sound Bath by Phoenyx 6:30-7:30PM🎶Ambient Music by Vibes 🔮Tarot by @psytherial aka @the.love.cult🍵Gongfu Tea Lounge by @russell_bohrThere will be a special print release of 5 on hot-pressed watercolor paper, numbered and signed, for many featured paintings. They’ll only be available to purchase in-person at Earth Space for the duration of the show! 6 PM – 10 PM @ 4135 SE Gladstone, OR, 97202

POSITIVE FORCED CHANGES | BRASSWORKS ANNEX We are so excited to share! Brassworks Assistant Curator Kristin, is curating her first group show at Brassworks Annex with 6 amazing artist! 6 PM – 9 PM @ 127 SE 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97214

ANOTHER REALM | SIDESTREET ARTS For this October Feature show we invited a diverse group of artists to create artworks under the title of: Another Realm. Imaginations were set wild; fantasy people, nations and galaxies now await our viewing.Artists: Melody Bush, Shelly Durica-Laiche, Erica Gibson, Sharon Jonquil, Anna Magruder and Jeanne Steffan 5 PM – 7 PM @ 140 SE 28th Ave, Portland, OR 9721

Visit the First

NESTING: SHANTEL KRISTIN BENNETT | THE ANGRY FLORIST  In this series of original paintings and prints by Shantel Kristin Bennett, the artist uses bright colors and whimsical brush strokes to convey coziness, home and a sense of comfort and rest. While the images are abstract and flowery-and can be largely interpreted by the viewer, Shantel hopes to reflect a sense of joy and a feeling what it means to be at peace within our own personal “nesting places” both literally and within our own bodies and minds. 5 PM – 7 PM @  401b NE 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97232

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