Bodies of Art


At the intersection of fecundity and cessation, we are confronted by the physicality of what it means to be human. We undeniably exists, reproduce, and die as mater, and yet explanations that end at a materiality also seem to inexplicably miss something essential. The dead linger with us, stories define us, and promises of transcendence motivate us in ways materialism seems unable to.

The essence of these things are captured nebulously in words like spirit, and it is in their nature to be intangible in concept as well as form. One thing is clear however; their existence breaths life into the inert, and their symbols light the hidden oceans of the unknown.

Likewise, what is inexpressible with concepts may be touched with art, and as we briefly reach out towards the unknown this week, I am excited to highlight shows which likewise feature the intangible essence of spirit.  

Happy Halloween, see you on Friday!

Noah Alexander Isaac Stein
First Friday PDX President

 NOVEMBER ART EVENTS



DIA DE LOS MUERTOS ALTAR SHOWCASE | EAST CREATIVE COLLECTIVE 

We are very excited to participate in this years Día de los Muertos Altar Walk with Milagro Theater and Ideal PDX!

For our November open studios, East Creative will be transformed by decorations and altars created by Yathzi Turcot. Visitors will be invited to bring items to add to the altars as we remember and welcome the spirits of the departed.

The event will feature open studios by acclaimed local artists, live karaoke by Community Jams, the International Mural by Mail project, fire dancing by Larissa Kurucz, and more!

Also, don’t miss the altar bike tour with Friends of the Green Loop that ends at East Creative and other amazing Día de los Muertos events in the district.

6 PM – 9 PM @  211 SE Madison St., Portland, OR



THE RETURN | BITE STUDIO

Okay, for real this time! Come join us at Bite Studio to celebrate our a First Friday return November 4th!

6 PM – 10 PM @ 2000 SE 7th Ave., Portland, OR



FRUITING BODIES | RADIUS ART STUDIO

Our incredible Studio Assistants are approaching the end of their year-long program, and we are hosting an event to show off all their artwork! Come celebrate them and see their cool clay creations from 5-8pm on November 4thfor our First Friday Opening of Fruiting Bodies. We can’t wait to see you all here!

5 PM – 8 PM @ 2324 SE Belmont St. Portland OR



MYTHS AND MONSTERS | SPLENDORPORIUM
7 PM – 9 PM @ 3421 SE 21st Ave., Portland, OR



DEAR DEAD DAYS: BEN MILAM | AFRU GALLERY

A History Of All My Dead Pets by Ben Milam 
The Last Show at the legendary AFRU/ EGG/ Launch Pad space!Sin City Ramblers
The Saloon Ensemble
Divorcee

7 PM – Close @ 534 SE Oak St., Portland, OR



MASKS MAKING WORKSHOP | ADX PORLTAND

Josh Gaines is the best kind of human. He is a multi-potentialite who works in a many mediums. Josh brings magic into the world through his art and helps others to do the same.

Join us for an utterly unique art workshop to design and build your own wearable cardboard monster mask! Using cardboard, hot glue, tape, paints and other decorative materials, you’ll walk away from this workshop with a colorful new prop to wear on your head. This workshop will be hosted by Josh Gaines, a multi-faceted local artist whose own mask creations have been spotted at Mt Tabor dance parties, art galleries and throughout Portland this past Summer. This workshop will be a vibrant, playful dive into pure imagination! Materials will be provided with ticket price, but feel free to bring your own additional decorations (suggestions: glitter, glow-in-the-dark paints, beads, interestingly-shaped items from the recycle bin, etc). This workshop is a blast, Josh is rad, and supports creative
expression in a beautiful way.
•25 person cap, $25 tickets
•4hrs but no need to stay whole time
Sign up on the adxportland website!!! 

About Josh: Josh Gaines is an award-winning filmmaker, published author, stopmotion animator and also he paints things sometimes. Lately he’s been playing with cardboard and glue a lot. He grew up around Albuquerque and Denver before moving to Portland in 2020. This workshop is also about freedom, self acceptance and allowing humans to embrace their creative selves.

6 PM – 10 PM @ 417 SE 11th Ave, Portland, OR



GABRIELLE WIDMAN AND SEQUOIA: THE CONCERT | THE HALLOWED HALLS

Warm greetings dearest friends and family! I hope everyone is healthy, happy and really doing well as we shift into this new fall season.

I am excited to invite you to a very special event taking place on Friday November 4th.  Kevin and I are proud (as well as relieved) to announce the completion of “The Concert,” a filmed version of a song cycle based on the poems of Edna St. Vincent Millay, with music composed by Kevin and sung by yours truly!   ; )

At Hallowed Halls, Nov. 4th at 7pm, the film will premier 1st, followed by a live concert of other works for a full evening of song, piano, harp and even a little bit of theater for your entertainment pleasure. We would love to see you, and also encourage you to spread the word to others who might be interested. If for some reason this date does not work for you, or if you are too far away to be able to attend the concert in person however, there is also the option to stream a recording of the entire evening from Dec. 4th on, so either way, we hope you will be able to support us and fit this evening into your busy schedules. 

Ticket purchasing information, a 2 minute trailer, as well as a link to Kevin’s website with even more details about this concert are available below.

Thank you for all your loving support and we hope to see you there!🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼

Gabrielle

Here’s a teaser/trailer for the film:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydykPlWtwW4

You’ll find a description of each song on the program here on Kevin’s website:  https://kevinbryantlay.com/event/the-concert/

For those of you too far away and/or unavailable that night, the whole show will be streamed one month later.Here is the LINK FOR TICKETS:  https://kevinbryantlay.ticketleap.com/

7 PM @ 4420 SE 64th Ave., Portland, OR



MACHETE FACTORY X | ONE GRAND GALLERY

The exhibition will feature over 30 artists images etched onto machete blades with live music performances BA. It’s gonna be a wild night and month at @onegrandgallery. with live music performances by @sangbylotus and D3M! The lineup of participating artists is staggering in its amount of talent. I’m truly honored to have so many brilliant artists contribute their skill to this dream of a wall of machetes. We can’t wait to show y’all these crazy blades, these artists really flexed!

Sale of machetes in the show will be benefitting the creating artists as well as contributing to a fund to support BIPOC tattoo artists through @machetefactory .

6 PM @ 1000 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214



LU LU CADEAUX | POP-UP

Mark your calendar for November 4th. @lulucadeaux will be doing a First Friday popup at Raylee! All my pottery will be displayed in the back room, and there will be wine and snacks from 5-9.

5 PM – 9 PM @ 3080 SE Division St., Portland, OR



OPIE FAMILY ART EXHIBIT | SIDESTREET ARTS

Amelia Opie | John Opie | Susan Opie | Carol Opie | Helen Opie

5 PM – 7 PM @ 140 SE 28th Ave, Portland, OR

 Visit the First Friday PDX website for more events and the First Friday map

Contact Us
We love to promote art events involving our participating galleries and artists, please be sure to send your news and any feedback to: press@firstfridaypdx.org
Or use our online event submission form!

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
Contact Us
We love to promote art events involving our participating galleries and artists, please be sure to send your news and any feedback to: press@firstfridaypdx.org
Or use our online event submission form!

General inquires: info@firstfridaypdx.org

Subscribe to the First Friday Newsletter

Support local art this December at First Friday

This December we’re excited to share holiday art shows at East Creative Collective, Afru Gallery and Sidestreet Arts, as well as amazing looking openings at EARTH Space PDX, Pushdot Studios, and Neighbors Taproom.

While its difficult to trace the origins of December holiday traditions, gift giving dates back at least as far as the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia. While consumer culture gives us many choices of how to be part of this tradition, an art walk is a great opportunity to support local artists and to give a truly unique gift. By spending locally you directly contribute to communities you care about, and help keep Portland’s vibrant art scene alive.

Look forward to seeing you on Friday!

Noah Alexander Isaac Stein
First Friday PDX President

IN-PERSON EVENTS

HOLIDAY ART MARKET | EAST CREATIVE COLLECTIVE

Come warm up at East Creative’s annual Holiday Art Market! Featuring great gifts by local artists, open studios, a special 100 works under $100 show, live music by Community Jams, and more.

6 PM – 9 PM @ 211 SE Madison St., Portland, OR 97214

LIMINAL MATTER | EARTH SPACE PDX

we cordially invite you to visit this exhibition of art and witness the new work of the bone goddess on Friday, December 3rd, 2021.

in addition to this new painting series there will be a brand new live performance, curated specifically for this event.

come and enter the space between our world and worlds beyond.

please wear a mask and be respectful to others in the space

“Kelly Delay’s perfectly composed photographs show the beauty in decay and the dignity in decline.” Tiny’s Coffee

6 PM – 10 PM @ 4135 SE Gladstone St Portland, OR 97202

IVAN SALCIDO | PUSHDOT STUDIO

Recuerdo: (rreh-kwehr-doh) NOUN, masculine (plural: recuerdos)

  1. Memory
  2. Souvenir, memento, memorabilia
  3. Regards

By taking a look at personal history, this exhibition touches on themes of nostalgia, connection, legacy, and remembrance. The work highlights the human experience and incorporates themes of cultural and family legacy, artistic heritage, and the significant value of the contributions of immigrants to our society.

Ivan Salcido is a multidisciplinary artist based in Portland, OR. Born in El Paso, TX, Salcido holds an MFA from the University of Texas at San Antonio. His background is in sculpture, but he also makes paintings and installations. His latest series of artworks draws on personal experience, family history, and interests in collectibles (such as sports cards, photographs, and flags) for inspiration.

8 AM – 5 PM @ 2505 SE 11th Avenue, Suite 104 – in the Ford Building, enter on Division Street – Portland, OR 97202

HOLIDAY ART SALE AND LIVE SANTA WRESTLING | AFRU GALLERY

Famous December art show & sale!!! Give the gift of art!
Plus, Santa Wrestling Live!!! WTF?
This is a free event. Donations welcome. Refreshments available.
live music from The Dead To Rights!

7 PM – Close @ 534 SE Oak St., Portland, OR 97214

VERY MERRY CASH AND CARRY | SIDESTREET ARTS

Come in for first Friday Artwalk and meet a number of different artists represented in our Very Merry Cash and Carry Show.

5 PM – 7 PM @ 140 SE 28th Ave., Portland, Or 97214

PET PORTRAITURE – HYPER-REALISTIC OIL AND WATERCOLOR BY JUSTIN WESTPHAL | NEIGHBORS TAPROOM

Justin Westphal, a local painter specializing in hyper-realistic pet and animal portraiture, exhibits a collection of oil and watercolor paintings throughout the month of December at Neighbors Taproom. Come enjoy these works up close in person while treating yourself to a rotating selection of curated beer, wine, and plant-based coffee drinks in a dog-friendly, bright and spacious interior!

12 PM – 10 PM @ 1306 East Burnside St, Portland OR 97214

VIRTUAL EVENTS

MING FAY SCULPTURE | BUTTERS GALLERY

We present a special online exhibition of vintage works by New York-based Ming Fay.  We have worked with Fay for well over 30 years and have presented many spectacular exhibitions.  This new show is an opportunity for collectors to see work that has never been shown in our gallery in the past.  Jeffrey Butters has personally curated this collection we are presenting–focusing on his picks of the “cream of the crop” of available Ming Fay works.  

VIEW ONLINE

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.

First Friday New Art November Events

First Friday is almost here again! We’re happy to welcome two new galleries for November, with great looking shows at The Angry Florist, and Neighbors Taproom. There are also some exciting new openings at Sidestreet Arts and Afru Gallery, open studios at East Creative Collective, and an odd themed show at Splendorporium.

Don’t forget to let us know if there are any First Friday events we’ve missed!

Look forward to seeing you on Friday,

Noah Alexander Isaac Stein
First Friday PDX President

IN-PERSON EVENTS

ALL OF YOU FLOWERS VIEWING ART | THE ANGRY FLORIST

I’ve made plans for your Friday night this week-start out by visiting The Angry Florist’s First Friday event featuring some really incredible artists. I’m spoiled in being able to view their lovely work daily amongst the flowers – and on Friday the shop will be open an extra hour for you to do so too!

4 PM – 8 PM @ 401b NE 28th Ave Portland, OR 97232

EVERYDAY OBJECTS | NEIGHBORS TAPROOM

For me, the most fascinating aspect of human existence lies in what we create, the EVERYDAY OBJECTS. It is these materials and structures that reveal our desires, our necessity, our creativity, and our capability. Equally fascinating is the tremendous diversity we then display in our engagement with these constructed objects. We sometimes hold dear and embrace our creations for decades or centuries. Or, we may neglect them, unceremoniously, leaving it to the artist or curious passerby to rediscover and redefine our relationship to these forgotten structures as they age, weather, or crack. As one of these curious-type people, I find myself drawn to the colors and craftsmanship, the scars and wrinkles. Although such details and long-lost whispers may go unnoticed by many, to me they exude shimmering glimpses of depth, history, and meaning I can not help but explore, photograph, and share.

“Kelly Delay’s perfectly composed photographs show the beauty in decay and the dignity in decline.” Tiny’s Coffee

7 PM – 9 PM @ 1306 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214

THE ODDVILLE SHOW | SPLENDORPORIUM

Show us what you perceive to be ODD! Animals? Aliens? Monsters? Your Mom? Your Supper? A Circus?

Our featured artist is Zoe Ball.

7 PM – 9 PM @ 3421 SE 21st Ave., Portland, OR 97202

DUAL DUEL: A TWO PERSON SOLO SHOW | AFRU GALLERY

On November 5th, ‘Dual Duel’ opens at AFRU Gallery in Portland. The show explores the concept of identity, both lost and found. It features a myriad of works by Amy Bugbee and Amy Eir Stocky, one person reconciling two different identities.

Live musical performances by ZenKoal and Dyarq.

Baked goods for all!!!

7 PM – Close @ 534 SE Oak St., Portland, OR 97214

FIRST FRIDAY OPEN STUDIOS | EAST CREATIVE COLLECTIVE

Step inside the studios of East Creative Collective and meet local artists in their natural environment.

6 PM – 9 PM @ 211 SE Madison St., Portland, OR 97214

ANITA REUTHER | HA AUSTIN | SIDESTREET ARTS

Anita Reuther has a lifelong love of the Pacific Northwest. Her mixed media art reflects this with dreamy speckled hillsides, cloudy mountain ranges, and charming bird vignettes. Deeply textured and collaged papers form moody landscapes that the viewer can fall into. 

Anita lives and works in Lake Oswego. She is a member of the Watercolor Society of Oregon and the Three Rivers Artist Guild in Oregon City. 

Sidestreet member and ceramic artist, Ha Austin, crafts what she calls “functional clay canvases”. Platters, flower vases, tea cups with saucers, and sturdy coffee mugs are not only functional, but delightful. Each is designed with whimsical sgraffito images and colorful hand-mixed glazes before firing in a gas-kiln at a high temperature. Chubby little wrens, purple lotus blossoms, and lily pads make the each ceramic piece a functional work of art. 

*artists present in gallery

5 PM – 7 PM @ 140 SE 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97214

VIRTUAL EVENTS

Re: THE SOURCE | BUTTERS GALLERY

Re: The Source
The source is what we are drawing from, get inspired by, learn from, contemplate over, exploit and ignore.
The source shapes us and makes us what we are. We are that source.

We have invented many different words for that source from which we originate, to which we return.
(Words turn into concepts, ideas, sciences, philosophies, religions, cults and cultures. All with the one purpose of trying to understand and to make sense of our being in this world.)
In our creating and experiencings of art, in moments of presence, we connect with the source and find meaning and purpose.
The engaging with art strengthens our connectivity with the source.
We draw everything from the source and we give everything back. Only this way the cycling of life continues. 

The paintings of this presentation are a few samples of my lifelong and more or less successful attempts to connect and to share my findings.
Maybe the one or the other of these works speaks to you and helps you connect with your source in you in unexpected ways.
Respectfully yours,

Bernd Haussmann

VIEW ONLINE

Contact Us

We love to promote art events involving our participating galleries and artists, please be sure to send your news and any feedback to: press@firstfridaypdx.org

Or use our online event submission form!

General inquires: info@firstfridaypdx.org

Copyright © 2019 First Friday PDX, All rights reserved.

First Friday Autumn Art Events

Hi First,
I’m excited to share some great looking First Friday shows this month, both in-person and virtual. In addition to openings at Pushdot Studios, Splendorporium, Brassworks, and Sidestreet Arts, there is a spooky seasonal show at Afru Gallery, and a First Friday PDX collaborative street fair at East Creative Collective. If you’re an artist it’s not too late to register for free!

Autumn is a season of change, and hopefully we can look forward to even more great art events coming up.

See you tomorrow!
Noah Alexander Isaac Stein
First Friday PDX President

AUTUMN ART BLAST | EAST CREATIVE

Blast into Fall with East Creative Collective and First Friday PDX. This October, the Autumn Art Blast is taking over two square blocks of the SE industrial district in celebration of art and support of local artists. Featuring more than 20 artists and creators, the Autumn Art Blast will showcase some of the most exciting new art in Portland, with open studios, a street festival, live music and more.

5 PM – 9 PM @ 211 SE Madison St., Portland OR, 97214

WHITE LIES SHE TOLD ME – SADÉ DUBOIS | PUSHDOT STUDIO

White Lies She Told Me is a group of small paintings that address the personal and complex relationship I share with my mother. The central woman figure in these paintings is a portrait I have painted many times throughout my career, whom I call Umnia Vera, which means “faith faith”, but more so symbolizes the traversing and overcoming of deep emotional trauma, pain, and adversity in my life. In a way, these paintings are self portraits.”

Born and raised in North Portland, Sadé is a self-taught painter who experiments primarily with acrylic and gouache. She has focused on portraiture and landscape, with an affinity for capturing Black women in their brilliance and vulnerability. Some of her portraits are sociopolitical, exploring the attitudes and experiences of African-Americans in their connectedness to nature, while others symbolize self portraits that serve as an archive of her grappling with trauma and other life circumstances.

Following the latest local, state and federal CDC guidelines, we are again requiring masks and appointments when visiting. Thank you for your understanding.

8:30 AM – 5 PM @ 2505 SE 11th Ave, Suite 104, Portland, OR 97202

THE TAROT SHOW | SPLENDORPORIUM

Join us Friday, October 1st 7-9 for the Tarot Show featuring the art and furniture of Zack Hryndej.

7 PM – 9 PM @ 3421 SE 21st Ave., Portland, OR 97202

RABUN THOMPSON | SHARON JONQUIL | SIDESTREET ARTS

Join our featured artist, Rabun Thompson and spotlight artist, Sharon Jonquil in the gallery for some good-time meeting and greeting. Don’t forget to visit our neighbors at Stark Street Studios.
Masks required (of course).

5 PM – 7 PM @ 140 SE 28th Ave., Portland, OR 97214

PORTLAND HORROR SHOW | AFRU GALLERY

6 PM – 10 PM @ 534 SE Oak St. Portland, OR 97214

STREET SHOW | BRASSWORKS GALLERY

We are super excited about working with artists, Simon Griffiths, Jimmer Willmott, and Gregory Hergert at Brassworks Gallery for “Street Show” Opening online THIS Friday, October 1st, 2021

6 PM – 10 PM @ ONLINE

We love to promote art events involving our participating galleries and artists, please be sure to send your news and any feedback to: press@firstfridaypdx.org
Or use our online event submission form!

General inquires: info@firstfridaypdx.org

Virtual Art Walk, Real Support for Artists

As we face social isolation and confront financial instability, it is easy to succumb to understandable feelings of dejection and powerlessness. While we continue to confront and overcome these hardships, art can provide us with both a healing outlet for fears and frustrations, as well as a form of transcendent escape.

To help us connect despite physical restrictions, First Friday PDX is curating a Virtual April Art Walk made up of artists, galleries, and causes that can both use your support, and provide a welcome virtual antidote to isolation.

  • ARCHITECTONIC | EUTECTIC GALLERY
  • REDUX EMPLOYEE RELIEF FUND | REDUX GALLERY
  • DAILY SOCIAL SPECIALS | SIDESTREET ARTS
  • ONLINE ARTISTS’ SHOP | EAST CREATIVE COLLECTIVE
  • VIRTUAL APRIL | BRASSWORKS GALLERY
  • “SOMEDAY THIS WILL ALL BE GONE” ARTIST’S TALK | PUSHDOT STUDIOS

Please join us on our digital walk, and consider connecting and supporting the many amazing artists of Portland!

Noah Alexander Isaac Stein
First Friday PDX President

VIRTUAL EVENTS

ARCHITECTONIC | EUTECTIC GALLERY

Some might be disheartened to think that no one will actually enter physically to see this exhibition, but we see this as a creative challenge and exhilarating opportunity to take our show documentation and online experience to a new level.Stay tuned to experience a new journey through our space –

Live, Friday, April 3, 6 p.m.

Eutectic online shop

REDUX EMPLOYEE RELIEF FUND | REDUX GALLERY

As many of you are aware, we had to close our beloved boutique on March 14th for the safety of ourselves and our community.  With suddenly zero income stream, we were forced to furlough our employees. 

We’ve been a woman owned and operated independent small business in the Central Eastside of Portland serving the arts community since 2006.
We have operated out of the same building as a brick and mortar boutique and gallery, and though we have a website, we do not currently sell online.
 We are completely reliant on foot-traffic and direct sales to tourists and locals alike.

As you can imagine, The interruption of our business due to Covid-19 has impacted me and the business overnight, but also directly affected the lives of my 3 employees, without whom Redux could not operate. As we attempt to navigate a new reality of survival in our new social distanced world, we are asking for your help to keep them safe and supported.
This GoFund me is an attempt to provide temporary funding for their survival during this difficult time while we wait for Grant and Federal relief.

I am reaching out to our fans to humbly ask for your support for their welfare. 

We truly are so grateful for any amount you are able to commit to, it will go directly to the employees who you, our customers, have gotten to know over the years, and who help create and enrich the amazing experience of shopping at Redux.
Thank you for taking the time to read and consider where your hard-earned dollars go during this critical time.

If you are unable to donate at this time we completely understand, and hope that you will come by for a visit at some point in the future when we reopen to the public.
We also have gift certificates available for purchase on our website at www.reduxpdx.com/home if you would be interested in investing in our future as well as enjoying redemption for your dollars spent down the road.

See you on the other side!

Sincerely,
Tamara Goldsmith,
owner, Redux Boutique and Gallery

Also, consider buying a $10 Redux gift card to help support the business!

DAILY SOCIAL SPECIALS | SIDESTREET ARTS

Wondering how to support local businesses and artists? Tired of looking at your walls during Social Distancing? How about buying some ART?

Hey, how does this even work?

  • Each day we’ll post an item from one of our artists on Instagram and Facebook at 10am
  • You can see sneak previews here, but each daily item won’t be available for sale until 10am
  • Click on the item that catches your eye, then click again in the store to get more details.
  • Purchase right here online, and we’ll pack it up with freshly gloved hands
  • Pick it up from the door at Sidestreet on any Sunday between noon and 2pm (In compliance with Gov. Brown’s Executive Order, art galleries may be open by appointment only).

@SidestreetArtsPDX on Instagram

Sidestreet Arts on Facebook

Support featured artists from March 29th – April 4th!

ONLINE ARTISTS’ SHOP | EAST CREATIVE COLLECTIVE

We are so happy for all the interest and support. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID-19 event East Creative is closed to public viewing for the immediate future. We are looking forward to hopefully reopening and sharing our art soon! In the meantime you can the work of and support some our amazing artists here at new online gallery and shop.

Online gallery and artists’ shop

VIRTUAL APRIL | BRASSWORKS GALLERY

Missed any of our First Friday shows? Then check out the Brassworks Gallery Online Shop and choose from our archive of artwork. Give us a call if you’d like to schedule a viewing of our current exhibition.

Brassworks Gallery Online Shop

“SOMEDAY THIS WILL ALL BE GONE” ARTIST’S TALK | PUSHDOT STUDIOS

This exhibition was scheduled to run from February 7th – March 27th at Pushdot Studio and was unfortunately cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I will be selling all of the prints from this exhibition at a discounted rate. Follow the link at the top or bottom of this page and feel free to email me at deadcitiesphoto@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like to make a purchase. I can ship prints as well.

I also have work for sale at a discount from past exhibitions not listed on this site and can send those images by request. Feel free to browse my Instagram for photos of the prints from this current series and my past work.

Please take care of yourselves and each other. Stay safe and stay healthy.

-Mike Vos

Online collection at Pushdot Studios

Deadcitiesphoto.com

Fresh Forms of First Friday



It’s an exciting month for First Friday! In the height of the summer art season, First Friday is been busy growing and spreading new leaves. In addition to highlighting some amazing August art openings, the newsletter this month will be showcasing some of the new directions First Friday is moving.

  • New openings at Redux, Eutectic, AFRU, and Portland Craft Bar  
  • 45+ new artists at the First Friday Summer Art Party
  • Call for artists!
  • Welcoming new galleries to the art walk: Manifestation / Henderson Hackerspace
  • New blog by Victoria on the history of First Friday

Look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Noah Alexander Isaac Stein
First Friday PDX President

UPCOMING SHOWS

FIRST FRIDAY SUMMER ART PARTY | EAST CREATIVE COLLECTIVE

A collaboration between First Friday PDX and the East Creative Collective, join us for the first of First Friday PDX’s summer Art Parties. Featuring the work of more than 45 local artists and vendors, the Summer Art Party takes place beneath the columns of the Hawthorne bridge, and features live music and performances.

6 pm – 9 pm @ 211 SE Madison St.

SKIN DEEP GROUP SHOW | REDUX GALLERY

SKIN DEEP GROUP SHOW featuring 9 amazing local tattoo artists. Celebrating the contemporary artistry of some of Portland’s finest tattoo artists, we are stoked to bring you a show demonstrating Portland’s continued knack for smashing conventions and elevating tattoo artistry to extraordinary heights.

6 pm – 9 pm @3022 E. Burnside St.

MAKING SPACE | YUNOMIS & MORE | EUTECTIC GALLERY

Celebrating the latest work from master potters, Josh DeWeese, Linda Sikora in Making Space, along with local legend Stephen Mickey with Yunomis & More in The Back Room. Join us, along with Josh and Stephen.

6 pm – 9 pm @ 1930 NE Oregon St.

BEWILDER | AFRU GALLERY

To bewilder is to cause confusion; this series investigates boundaries and the disorientation of interstitial spaces. The show explores what happens inbetween, where the unexpected emerges.

Bewilder also implies being wilder – embracing nature in an attempt to navigate existence.
Anne Bujold combines metalsmithing and blacksmithing techniques with alternative materials such as felt, ribbon, and plastics. In her sculpture, animals are agents examining the spaces between definitions, that fertile ground where new forms emerge.

Previously based in Portland, Oregon, she operated Riveted Rabbit Studio, a custom metal fabrication business.

www.annebujold.com

6 pm – 12 am @534 SE Oak St.

NEXT GEN PDX | PORTLAND CRAFT BAR

It’s Summer Art Party time!! Come one, come all and join us for First Friday at Portland Craft Bar*! For First Friday August, we’re celebrating our youth artists with an amazing art show for a good cause- all sales benefit Portland Homeless Family Solutions. The art show is the culmination of a week-long fine arts summer camp at PCB, where 10% of all tuition also benefits PHFS.

Come anytime between 6pm and 9pm to browse in the PCB studio and through the East Creative building. Stay for refreshments and visit the other open art studios in our building, enjoy live music, check out local makers, and take part in some fun art projects!

6 pm – 9 pm @ 211 SE Madison St., Studio #3

NEW TO FIRST FRIDAY

OPEN STUDIO | MANIFESTATION/H.H

About Hedron Hackerspace:

We’re an inclusive bunch of hackers and artists, sharing space and equipment. h.h exists to foster community and creativity, with the accessibility of some modern tools such as 3D printers, a laser cutter, welders, etc.. We’re a do-ocracy where members and volunteers are encouraged to put forth their energy where they see fit.

Open studio for the First Friday Art Walk. Come see what we’ve been working on at this collective creative space!

6 pm – 9 pm @ 2020 SE Bush St.

ART BLOG

THROUGH THE EYES OF ANNIE MEYER: GENTRIFICATION AND THE REEMERGENCE OF THE CENTRAL EASTSIDE ART SCENE| VICTORIA GLANOWSKI

Recently, I interviewed Annie Meyer who is one of the leading figures in the Portland art scene. Long story short, Meyer came to Portland in the 1980’s while driving up from California and oddly enough her car broke down in Portland. In 1995, she opened up her art gallery on Clinton Street and in 2010 opened up a successful art gallery in the Pearl District before closing it in 2018. In 2004, Meyer received a grant from the Regional Arts and Culture Council to create a map of First Friday Art Walk. Meyer is one of the few people that has witnessed the changes in the Portland art culture over the years. 

Read the full blog post here!

CALL FOR ARTISTS

FIRST FRIDAY IS LOOKING FOR ARTISTS

The First Friday Summer Art Party takes place from July to September along SE Madison, between 2nd and 3rd Ave, outside the East Creative building. Open to all local artists and performers, the street exhibition provides visitors and patrons access to independent Portland artists interested in showcasing their creative output.

Participation in the First Friday Art Party is free, however artists are required to register and submit samples of their work.

How to Apply

Step one: Use our online form to submit 3 images of your art, a description or video of your performance or music, and any other information that will help us understand your work.

Step two: Wait for a conformation email from the First Friday team.

Step three: Arrive with enough time to set up and be ready to go by 6:00 PM on First Friday!

OTHER SHOW OPENINGS AND ART EVENTS

  • 3 – 8 pm: GALLERY CLOSING PARTY @ ROLL-UP PHOTO STUDIO + GALLERY
  • 6 – 8 pm: SHE WAS/IS @ WOLFF GALLERY
  • 6 – 8 pm: POLLUTION OF NIGHT @ PUSHDOT STUDIO
  • 6 – 9 pm: SHYAMA HELIN@ANNIE MEYER GALLERY / STUDIO 2507
  • 6 – 9 pm: THE UNSEEN @ TABORSPACE
  • 6 – 9 pm: LARA ROUSE @ JAILBREAK STUDIOS
  • 6 – 9 pm: CLOSER TO HOME @ SIDESTREET ARTS
  • 6 – 10 pm: GRITTY IN THE CITY @ BRASSWORKS GALLERY
  • 7 – 9 pm: SPELLBOUND @ SPLENDORPORIUM

Contact Us

We love to promote art events involving our participating galleries and artists, please be sure to send your news and any feedback to: press@firstfridaypdx.org

Or use our online event submission form!

General inquires: info@firstfridaypdx.org

Copyright © 2019 First Friday PDX, All rights reserved.

Announcing the First Friday Summer Art Party

** September only:  the Curious Carnival! A traveling circus of all things anarchic, strange, wonderful, and mischievous. Including a special curated art show of the unusual, and guests The Hill Creature of Oregon, Twenty Three Suns, Lucky Locks, and more!**

A collaboration between First Friday PDX and the East Creative Collective, join us for a special end of summer First Friday Art Party.

Featuring the work of more than 35 local artists and vendors, the Summer Art Party takes place beneath the columns of the Hawthorne bridge, and features live music, performances, food, and drink.

Wild and Beautiful Resistance on First Friday


For the newsletter this month we are emphasizing shows that inspire us to action, recognize beauty, and explore the ways in which both intertwine with our sense of personal identity.

While we are confronted daily by events that demand our attention, for most of us only occasionally do troublesome currents inspire us to take action. In many ways, the events that do so move us ultimately reveal as much about us as they do about the situations themselves.

Although all injustices carry their own unmistakable urgency, it is only by examining our internal agency that we remain capable of simultaneously seeing the beauty in the world, and also embracing the impetus for change. The world is already perfect, but we are a part of the world, as so too is our passion and fierceness.

Make sure to visit the First Friday PDX website for a full listing of art events and openings.

See you tomorrow!

Noah Alexander Isaac Stein
First Friday PDX Director

UPCOMING SHOWS

CONNECTED TO THE WILD | HIGH LOW ART SPACE

Join Wildlands Network and Endangered Species Coalition in Portland to celebrate the opening of our PNW wildlife photography exhibition, Connected to the Wild. The exhibit showcases photos of diverse and threatened wildlife, captured by professional photographers in the region. Experience incredible art, listen to presentations from conservationists and artists, and learn how you can protect the region’s wildlife and wild spaces. We co-organized this show to illuminate the PNW’s incredible wildlife, and raise awareness about the mounting loss species to environmental threats. The theme of the show is CONNECTIVITY (linking fragmented habitat to restore ecosystems and help wildlife thrive). We’re united in our efforts to reconnect, restore, and rewild the Pacific states. FREE ADMISSION.

6 pm – 9 pm @ 1402 3rd Ave, Suite 1019

TIANANMEN SQUARE BEFORE SUNRISE: GERHARD WITTENBERG | PUSHDOT STUDIOS

Pushdot Studio is pleased to present “Tiananmen Square Before Sunrise. High Resolution Satellite Photographs” by Gerhard Wittenberg. This is the second solo exhibition by Wittenberg at Pushdot studio.
“The photographs presented in this show were obtained under a Freedom of Information Act request submitted by Gerhard to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the Department of Defense. The works shown are small details of the actual satellite photographs.” They are representative of his efforts exploring issues involving surveillance, patriotism, political propaganda, manipulation of masses, etc. The show includes a very large wall- mounted photograph, 12 feet by 10 feet and four additional photographs 50 x 40 inches, face mounted on plexiglass.

6 pm – 8 pm @ 2505 SE 11 th Avenue, Suite 104 – in the Ford Building, enter on Division Street

INTO THE WOODS | SIDESTREET ARTS

On the six-year anniversary of her arrival in Portland, Sidestreet member artist Michele Sabatier’s show of new encaustic landscape paintings will be in the Feature Gallery in June. Paired with turned wood objects by Northwest master craftsman Kevin Poest, and found-wood assemblages by Minal Mistry on the pedestals, this show is a love letter to the exquisite native woods of the Pacific Northwest.

6 pm – 9 pm @ 140 SE 28th Ave.

THE UN-PC LGBTQ IA+ SHOW | AFRU

A Group Show of Fabulously Talented Artists to kick off Pride Month in Style!

” I was inspired to involve my community in an audio piece that I will use to start the 9 Pm entertainment hour. I have gotten a great deal of positive response from the community. People are sending in short Audio clips about their reasons and feelings surrounding the terms they identity with. Why they like one term over another……..etc. I am getting a lot of positive feedback and believe that there will be a good turnout by those who made submissions who want to hear their contribution alongside the recordings of others. I am getting a lot of help organizing this and have a clear vision about how I will connect the audio to AFRU’s mission statement, and opening remarks, and how I will balance heavy moments in the audio with comic moments by myself and the two queens that are joining me. I feel really good about what’s happening and am certain that interest is gathering. Pride events lack reflective events that make queer voices heard and express our history and struggle. I am feeling overwhelming support for what I am doing.”

This special show is recommended as an 18+ years of age show.

live performances by
Svetlana Trantastic, Betty Poops, Valerie Devilles, and Special DJ set by PINEAPPLE!!! ♥

6 pm – 12 am @ 534 SE Oak St

WELCOMING KBOO TO FIRST FRIDAY

KBOO JOINS FIRST FRIDAY | KBOO COMMUNITY RADIO STUDIOS

First Friday and Open Studio tomorrow night May 3rd from 6-9 pm. Come by for a glass of wine and chocolate and peruse the art! I’m working on a body of Willamette Valley monotypes for an upcoming show at Laura Vincent Gallery in July.

6 pm – 9 pm @ 20 SE 8th Ave.

BLOG

ARTS AND EMOTION: RETHINKING ROTHKO| VICTORIA GLANOWSKI

“This higher plane is the communication of emotion, that invoke the experiences of grief, ecstasy and destiny. Rothko famously wrote that “The people who weep before my pictures, are having the same religious experiences I had when painting them.”Read the full blog post here!

Read the full blog post here!

OTHER SHOW OPENINGS AND ART EVENTS

  • 6 – 8 pm: FIRST FRIDAY AT WOLFF: SELF-PORTRAIT PARTY! @ WOLFF GALLERY
  • 6 – 8 pm: ZODIAC @ SPLENDORPORIUM
  • 6 – 9 pm: THE SHAPE OF TIME AND NECESSITIES @ EUTECTIC GALLERY
  • 6 – 9 pm: BOTANICAL BEAUTIES @ EAST CREATIVE COLLECTIVE
  • 6 – 9 pm: WOMEN ICONS | REDUX GALLERY
  • 6 – 9 pm: OPEN STUDIOS | ANNIE MEYER GALLERY
  • 6:30 – 9 pm: KARUNA TURNS FOUR! @ KARUNA CONTEMPLATIVE LIVING
  • 6 – 10 pm: THE GRAND CONCOURSE: LENOR BINGHAM @ UNIONKNOTT GALLERY
  • 6 – 9 pm: SHELBI SCHROEDER @ JAILBREAK STUDIOS

Contact Us

We love to promote art events involving our participating galleries and artists, please be sure to send your news and any feedback to: press@firstfridaypdx.org

Or use our online event submission form!

General inquires: info@firstfridaypdx.org

Copyright © 2019 First Friday PDX, All rights reserved.

First Friday Tonight: Growth and Revolution

One of the few constants in the universe is change, and in both exuberant physicality and  metaphor, May is a month that often embodies it in its most welcome form. Here are a few shows this month that illustrate the growth and blooming of Spring.

Also don’t forget to visit the First Friday PDX website for a full listing of art events and openings.

See you tonight!

Noah Alexander Isaac Stein
First Friday PDX Director

UPCOMING SHOWS

REBIRTH, REJUVENATION, AND REVOLUTION | EAST CREATIVE COLLECTIVE

“Ranging from an ancient rite of spring, to a commemoration of religious transformation, to a call for workers rights and immigration reform, the beginning of May has a persistent association with change.

While the context and nature of this transformation is subject to its own transitional nature, there is also a common thread. Whether a reflection of natural phenomenon, our own personal and spiritual narratives, or even social revolution, change is constant, and despite what is left behind, it is a cause for celebration. Even when the tremulous gulf of such growth comes equally out of both gentle rains, and rushing torrents of upheaval.Rebirth,

Rejuvenation, and Revolution asks us to consider the common spirit and nature of this period. Do we see it as a new beginning or a the turning of a cycle? Is each new leaf a sutured healing or a shinning resurrection? Or perhaps such attempts at continuity are all simply fictions in the face of entropic metamorphose…”

6 pm – 9 pm @ 211 SE Madison St.


ALL THINGS BOTANICAL OPENING RECEPTION | SIDESTREET ARTS

Come for the art and munchies… We’ll pour you a glass of wine (if you’re of age) while you look at the art on our walls. Artists will be lurking to discuss their artworks.

6 pm – 9 pm @ 140 SE 28th Ave.

LEAVES OF RESISTANCE | ROLL-UP PHOTO STUDIO + GALLERY

Secret Society of Book Artists
Opening Champagne Reception
Dawn Banker, Anita Bigelow, Marian Christensen, Mary Elliott, Ellen Fortin, Joely Helgesen, Judilee Fitzhugh, Deanna Lautenbach, Megan Leftwich, Ilsa Perse, Kathy Karbo, Kathy Kuehn, Bernie Smith, Gay Walker, Marilyn Zornad

5 pm – 9 pm @ 1715 SE Spokane St.

THE ART4LIFE SHOWS | SPLENDORPORIUM

Join us for the opening of our annual kids show!

6 pm – 8 pm @ 3421 SE 21st Avenue

BLOG

ARTS IMPACT ON POLITICS AND SOCIETY| VICTORIA GLANOWSKI

“When was the last time a piece of art moved you? Was it a film, a painting or a street performer? Art in many ways can enrich the human experience and initiate change in society. These types of changes can be used to better society by not answering questions, but by asking questions.  ”

Read the full blog post here!

Contact Us

We love to promote art events involving our participating galleries and artists, please be sure to send your news and any feedback to: press@firstfridaypdx.org

Or use our online event submission form!

General inquires: info@firstfridaypdx.org

Copyright © 2019 First Friday PDX, All rights reserved.