PNCA has thesis shows in the Main Building, the Stephens Building and in the Old Portland Art Center. MFA downtown, BFA uptown. There is quite a bit to see, easily over more than an evening. Main Campus Atrium 1241 NW Johnson, Stevens Studio Building 1432 NW Johnson. Goldsmith Building 20 SW 5th. Extended hours may be found at pnca.edu.
The Everett Lofts, bounded by NW Everett, Broadway, Flanders and 6th have been showing great work consistently, but closing earlier. Recommended.
Storm Tharp is a Portland painter-illustrator whose work has been compared to - not the philosopher and scientist - Frances Bacon. It's a tribute to his talent and the career building work of PDX Gallery that he was featured in the recent Whitney. His latest works have a Japanese watercolor style, while retaining his disquieting vibe, and are more formal and restrained than his earlier work. These would be perfect paired with the past month's Van Sant photo collage portraits. At PDX Contemporary Art www.pdxcontemporaryart.com 925 NW Flanders early close 8PM
Across the Hall Gallery next door has Portland artist, performer, curator and organizer, Brad Adkins. He is known for one of the first social practice performance events, "Meeting People" surrounding a large 2002 group show he did in the Oak Street building under moniker Charm Bracelet with Chris Buckingham. 929 NW Flanders early close 8PM
Portland artist, curator, blogger-interviewer Eva Lake shows a selection from her long running collage project, Targets. They are wry, hard hitting; neither overdone or underdone, in the visual elements she has selected. At Augen Gallery www.augengallery.com 716 NW Davis
The Ace Hotel Lobby hosts an installation of knitted cranes, enduring peace symbols. A three year project; organized by artist, curator, producer and music booking genius, Seann McKeel; it's Portland's contribution to activist knitting graffiti presented in a gallery space, just as some spray graffiti is today.
Writes McKeel: "The origami crane is an international symbol of peace, due to the hopeful and heroic story of Sadako Sasaki. Sadako died of Leukemia after exposure from US atom bombings of Hiroshima in 1945. Following a Japanese legend of folding 1,000 paper cranes-- a kind of prayer for long life and recovery-- Sadako hoped to get well. She completed over 1,000 folded cranes before dying on October 25, 1955 at the age of 12. Thousands of artists, children, religious groups, and other organizations commit to folding strands of a thousand cranes every year to express their commonality in banning nuclear weapons-- their solidarity for peace."
Hopefully this will be the start of regular art shows in the Ace Hotel Lobby, corner 1022 SW Stark, lobby hours.
Julie Forward Demay made photographs. She was diagnosed with cancer and passed in just 20 months, documenting her experience in a blog, cell war notebooks, photographs and writing. The result is this show, which she curated over that period, her last show. At Stumptown www.stumptowncoffee.com 128 SW 3rd
Tender Loving Empire hosts a Breezeblock organized show. Breezeblock operated on Alberta and Burnside before going virtual with graffiti and illustration styles. Music by Moonchild. www.tenderlovingempire.com 412 SW 10th
Lizard Lounge presents an art show themed on oceans and a benefit for the Surfrider Foundation, very topical. Surfrider advocates for cleaner ocean waters and beaches, free from pollution. At Lizard Lounge 1323 NW Irving 7PM-10
Reading Frenzy wins the copywriting award of the month with a show of illustration by Lori-D entitled Country Club. Writes the artist:
"Country Club features many high-end facilities and recreational opportunities for leisure seekers and so much more! As our guest, help yourself to our pond-side reclining lawn chairs and name-brand beers on ice. Take a load off and relax in comfort during the timeless and traditional bat vs. bug sunset showdown.
Whether you're hosting a business meeting, corporate retreat, wedding, charity event or holiday party, you'll find the perfect setting at the Country Club. We have enough stumps and tires to seat up to 300 of your most esteemed guests! Your guests will enjoy a scenic location, savory vittles, and surprise foot massages. Let our experienced staff assist you in planning your most memorable special occasion.
Not to toot our own horn of plenty, but our very own 'Man, I Feel Like A Woman Spa & Salon', just received the great honor of being awarded National Nail Artists of the Month by Town & Country Style Magazine! We are committed to living up to this high honor by helping you design the best nails imaginable." At Reading Frenzy www.readingfrenzy.com 921 SW Oak
Blue Sky Blue Sky Gallery pairs Alejandro Cartagena's Suburbia Mexicana, Cause and Effect with Christine Osinski's Staten Island Shoppers. It's a development poem. Both artists speak at 6:30PM Wednesday June 2 in the gallery. In the Nines Gallery sculptor Christine Clark collaborates with illustrator Mary Blankenberg to trace the projections of sculptures on the walls. At www.blueskygallery.org 122 NW 8th
Froelick has a curious show. Portland artists, many of whom did not know one another, were paired. Each then made a portrait of the other. At www.froelickgallery.com 714 NW Davis
Valentina Graziano shows photo-based work at Ogle. She is also the curator of the space which is known for quietly complex 2d work and bold sculptures, both often involving natural materials, arte povera-style. At Ogle www.ogleink.com 310 NW Broadway early close 8PM
Camp Caldera is an opportunity for children to make art in the wilderness with professional artists. It's always a question of who is teaching who in such situations. Tonight is a chance to see for yourself as the childrens' work is on display. Camper-made film 5:30. At the Mercy Corps Action Center www.actioncenter.org 28 SW 1st early close 8PM
In other Caldera news, photographer and Caldera resident artist Wendy Given presents How to Explain Magic to a Dead Rabbit. At the Wieden and Kennedy lobby 224 N 13th early close 8
Grassy Knoll Gallery is a workspace, so shows have been itinnerant. They are back with a collage show and a short film by twin brothers Noah & Nathan Rice. At Grassy Knoll Gallery www.grassyknollgallery.com 123 NW 2nd
Meanwhile Upper Playground has a bike-themed show Totally Spoked. An Alleycat starting at 6PM (register 5:30) runs from the East Bank Esplanade under the Hawthorne Bridge to the gallery. At 9:30PM the Sprockettes lead a parade from the gallery to a dance party across the river. At Fifty 24PDX in Upperplayground.com 23 NW 5th
