Blue Sky Gallery started as a clubhouse for photographer friends. They grew up and outgrew the treehouse. It is still a nonprofit, but it's known as one of the leading curators in the world of photography. The commercial galleries watch Blue Sky for what is new. They have put together a retrospective covering 40 years of shows. For several years, a gracious benefactor has been donating a piece of work from each photographer's show to the museum, that helps! That is over 400 shows and 600 photographers. This show is an opportunity to see some of that varied work, curated by the sharpest eyes in Portland.
The Portland Art Museum is the grand dame of the Portland art world. They are about preserving and contextualizing art through the ages. The Schnitzers are the art family in Portland. Arleen Schnitzer operated Portland's early contemporary gallery, the Fountain Gallery. The late Harold Schnitzer brought a passion for art and acted upon it. Over 50 years, the Schnitzers collected deeply in early pre-Han Chinese artifacts to contemporary Northwest work. Their son is carrying on the tradition, especially focused on prints.
Tonight a show of of some of the Schnitzers' collection, A Passionate Pursuit, opens. It is always a treat to see a collection guided by the collector's vision, over years, in one place.
Both shows open today and run through January 11.
At the Portland Art Museum www.pam.org 1219 SW Park
Regular hours and prevailing admission
We used to cover fashion more. Others do it better now. But fashion is art. And it is a Portland creative vector, spanning to mass produced design. Content is a once a year event where designers each decorate a room as an installation. It is always fascinating. Arrive early. Content at the Ace Hotel, 1022 SW Stark 5PM-10 $15-20
