What do Blackfish Gallery, The Muppet Movie and the Walkman have in common?
They all dropped in 1979!
Since then, Blackfish Gallery has been home to over 300 artists including notable regional artists such as Paul Missal, Barbara Black, and Kanetaka Ikeda. Always located in Portland’s Pearl District, Blackfish Gallery has been a perennial presence in the city’s thriving art scene. We are celebrating these decades of community and creativity with a variety of special events throughout 2024.
Please join us!
We would like to extend a special thanks to Burdock/Burn Art Resource, Inc. for their generous sponsorship of 45th Anniversary Programming.
Upcoming Events
GROUP EXHIBITION
Past Present Perfect: 45 Years of Blackfish Members
December 4–28, 2024
“Time is not a thing that passes... it's a sea on which you float.”
—Margaret Atwood
The exhibition gathers together the diverse talents that have shaped Blackfish since its inception in 1979. This show features the work of current and many former artists spanning 45 years of gallery membership. These artists made and continue to make significant contributions to the storied Blackfish legacy. Come help us celebrate the end of our 45th anniversary year and float on the sea of time.
Past Events
Looking Back
Founders Group Show
March 6-30
Since 1979, our artist owned and operated gallery has been a hub of the Pearl District art community. The gallery has been home to dozens of artists working in a wide variety of genres, mediums, materials and motifs, "Looking Back" offers an opportunity to celebrate the wide-ranging work of some of Blackfish Gallery’s founding members including Barbara Black, Steve Soihl, Kanetaka Ikeda, and Paul Missal.
Paul Missal — Raven Speaks, 2023, charcoal, graphite, acrylic on paper, 19” x 24”
Robert R. Dozono — War is Not the Answer, oil, garbage/canvas, 60” x 96” x 4”
Kanetaka Ikeda — Parts of Cosmic Tree: Seeds, 2017, mix media assemblage, 10' x 5.5' x 1.5'
PANEL DISCUSSION
Movers, Shakers & Founders: Original Artists Who Made Blackfish Blackfish
March 8, 5-7pm
Join us as Blackfish celebrates 45 years in the Pearl! Come hear first-hand stories of the early days in the Pearl District as it transformed from gravel streets to galleries and eateries. You will learn what it was like for these early Pearl artists as they realized a new vision for an old neighborhood.
Our esteemed panelists include Judy Cooke (Blackfish co-founder), Bruce Guenther (art historian, independent curator and former chief curator of the Portland Art Museum), Paul Missal (Blackfish co-founder & current member), Eddie Reed (current member & moderator), Al Solheim (developer of the Pearl District), and Christy Wyckoff (Blackfish co-founder)
Judy Cooke
Paul Missal
Al Solheim
Bruce Guenther
Eddie Reed
Christy Wyckoff
Since 1979, Blackfish Gallery has had its doors open to the Pearl, to Portland, and to the possibility of creating community through art. We will continue this fine tradition by throwing a fine party—our way of thanking you for being part of our success.
5-8pm (during First Thursday)
PANEL DISCUSSION
Places, Everyone: Life in the Pearl Arts District
June 17, 5:30pm
Delve into the artistic landscape of the Pearl during this panel, spotlighting Blackfish in the Otis Building and other notable historic structures housing vibrant arts organizations including PNCA, the Desoto Building, and Portland Center Stage. The discussion will be followed by a mini-walking tour led by the Architectural Heritage Center to view the featured sites.
PANELISTS: Norm Gholston, moderator & tour guide (Architectural Heritage Center); Isa Ramos (Pacific Northwest College of Art, 511 Federal Building); Chris Rauschenberg (Blue Sky Gallery, Desoto Building); Julie Vigeland (Portland Center Stage champion, the Armory); Alice Christine Walker (Blackfish member, Otis Elevator Building).
Norm Gholston
Isa Ramos
Chris Rauschenberg
Julie Vigeland
Alice Christine Walker
WITH GRATITUDE TO OUR COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS:
Then & Now: Art as Foundation
Corvallis Museum (411 SW 2nd St, Corvallis, OR 97333)
Exhibition opens July 30 through August 18, 2024
PANEL DISCUSSION — August 8, 5:30pm
This program is generously hosted by the Benton County Historical Society.
Barbara Black mixed media on paper 16" x 12"
Barbara Black acrylic on canvas 51" x 37"
Jennie J Castle approx 45" x 60" NFS
Barbara Black mixed media on paper 16" x 12"
The Arts Center recently celebrated their 60th anniversary, and Blackfish Gallery is currently celebrating its 45th anniversary. Co-presented by Jennie Castle, curator and public programs manager at The Arts Center, and Kendra Roberts, director of public engagement at Blackfish Gallery, this exhibition celebrates the longevity of both organizations by honoring the vision of founding members, while embracing new members’ ideas.
Artwork selected for this exhibition reflects the depth and breadth of work from former, founding and current artists active within these two organizations. Vibrant color and movement within their marks offer a visual celebration of current and future inspiration and success.
SELECTED ARTISTS
From Blackfish: Clint Brown, Hannah Theiss, Paul Missal, Barbara Black, Laura Swingen, Anastasiya Gutnik
From The Arts Center: Corrine Woodman, Cynthia Spencer, Jennie Castle, Emily Steele
PANELISTS
From Blackfish: Clint Brown and Hannah Theiss
From The Arts Center: Cynthia Spencer and Erinn Gavaghan
Join us on Thursday, August 8th at 5:30pm for a panel discussion highlighting several of the featured artists at the Benton County Museum in downtown Corvallis. Questions about how to honor legacy and history without stifling future generations may include: How does that history guide and inform while keeping these organizations relevant? How can founders facilitate and encourage that similar passion in newer members? This panel discussion will feature long-standing and brand new Blackfish members along with the immediate past and new executive directors of The Arts Center. Panelists will be surrounded by the work of artists from both organizations as we delve into these questions.
WITH GRATITUDE TO OUR COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS:
PANEL DISCUSSION
Works Well with Others: Cooperative Businesses in the City
September 19, 5pm
Delve into the rich history of collectives in PDX, spanning art, food, and wine, featuring insights from owners of several prominent Portland cooperative art galleries, a local wine maker, and board member of People’s Food.
SPEAKERS: Barbara Black (Blackfish co-founder), Raphael Arar & Marcelo Fontana (Carnation), Jon Gottshall & Jeff Leake (Gallery 114), Marc Brown (People's Food board member, historian and lawyer), Anne Hubatch (Helioterra Wines founder), Barbara Mason (Waterstone co-founder), Amanda Triplett (moderator and co-owner/member of Shift Gallery), Christopher Shotola-Hardt (Blackfish member).
WITH GRATITUDE TO OUR COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS: