Portland Art Gallery Scene | The Official Guide to Portland

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Paintings by Emily Wise adorn the walls of Chefas Projects gallery space.

Credit: Mario Gallucci courtesy of Chefas Projects

Art enthusiasts will find a dose of inspiration in Portland’s gallery scene.

Updated May 23, 2024
4 min read

Amy Lam

Amy Lam is a writer and editor based in Portland. Read More

From vibrant contemporary works to distinctive installations, Portland’s art scene boasts a mosaic of galleries that reflect the eclectic vibes of the community. While the city is home to the Portland Art Museum, the largest art museum in Oregon and one of the oldest in the country, our smaller galleries are perfect for both art enthusiasts and anyone looking for a dose of inspiration. “The art community here is extremely tight-knit,” said gallery owner Stephanie Chefas. “You feel the support among artists, gallerists, and art lovers alike.”

Every month, visitors can get a peek into the latest gallery offerings during recurring art walks. Be it a First Friday or Last Thursday, Portland celebrates artistic exploration throughout three neighborhoods. During a Last Thursday on Alberta event, I bought a piece from one of my favorite local artists at the opening of a group show — now I have a piece from the Portland art community on my own wall. With a couple dozen or so art galleries throughout the city, I rely on Art and About’s calendar to learn about the latest art happenings in town.

Contemporary Exhibitions

Chefas Projects

“Portland is a creative town that attracts individuals who inherently think outside the box,” said Stephanie Chefas, owner and curator at the eponymous Chefas Projects. Chefas’ love of bold works with a clear, vibrant perspective is apparent across her gallery walls and atop pedestals. “My aim is to share artwork that resonates with me in some way,” said Chefas. “If I love it, I know others will as well. For me, it’s a no-brainer to champion artists with a strong, distinct voice who command attention.”

The intimate gallery feels like walking into your art collector friend’s personal collection, where you can experience their curated vision. In Chefas’ case, that means vivid goopy sculptures by Dan Lam and strikingly folksy paintings and prints from Lisa Congdon. Located inside the Central Eastside’s Taylor Works Building, don’t miss ringing the call box (like I did during my first visit) to get buzzed in.

Credit: Mario Gallucci courtesy of Chefas Projects

Blue Sky

Originally known as the Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts, Blue Sky was founded in 1975 and has since hosted almost 1,000 solo exhibitions from national and international artists. Housed in the historic DeSoto Building in Northwest Portland’s Pearl District, Blue Sky presents 20–25 exhibitions each year, along with a calendar of free artist talks. Beyond a gallery space, Blue Sky houses a research library with more than 1,000 photography books and materials.

Nationale

Open since 2008, Nationale is an independently owned bookshop and art gallery founded by May Barruel. Originally from France, Barruel named Nationale after the Métro station by her apartment in Paris. The shop offers French delicacies and thoughtfully curated books alongside resonant exhibitions by contemporary artists from Portland and across the U.S. Every nook and cranny of Nationale is carefully considered by Barruel. Visitors can feel the creative energy in the space, which features works like soft, rich figures by pastel artist Pace Taylor and the subtly dark whimsies of The Decemberists’ “illustrator-in-residence” Carson Ellis. Located off East Burnside, near the popular brunch spot, Screen Door, and adorable café, Soro Soro, Nationale is a great stop before or after grabbing a bite to eat.

Coffee and Art

There’s nothing more quintessentially Portland than coffee and art together. Some coffee shops around town are neighborhood galleries open for all to peruse as they sip their drinks. From amateur artists sharing a hobby to emerging artists who go on to show at highly acclaimed spaces, Portland cafés have long been a space to highlight artists who live in the community.

Albina Press

“For some artists, it’s their first show. For others, they have this little coffee shop show while simultaneously having work in a museum,” said Emily Wise, an artist and barista who curates art shows at Albina Press. “It’s been a new and meaningful chapter to get to support local artists of all career stages.” In addition to curating the art shows, Emily manages the Instagram account with updates on shows at both Albina Press locations.

Fresh Pot

Fresh Pot was one of the first coffee shops where I discovered artists whom I went on to follow and watch their careers grow. “The coffee shop has been such a wonderful site for artists in various places in their careers,” said Leif Lee, an artist and barista at Fresh Pot. While the Mississippi Fresh Pot location is larger, with more space for bigger pieces, the smaller Hawthorne location is great, too, since visitors can hit up Powell’s Books right next door.

Never Coffee

The thoughtfully curated shows at the two locations of Never Coffee are also exhibited on a dedicated Instagram account. Shows at Never, curated by visual artist Morgan Rosskopf, have included textiles, sculptures, ceramics and paintings. The downtown and SE Belmont shops are great stops for those wanting to experience Portland’s creativity while enjoying an artfully made latte.