- art events in our community
- an artist a day, our annual event to provide art supplies to portland classrooms
- hawthorne street fair
- community giving at muse
- locally owned art supply stores in portland
art events in our community:
Portland-area artists are passionate about their work and enthusiastic about sharing their creativity with the public. There are many opportunities throughout the year to view and purchase original art by artists in our community.
In addition to the city-wide Portland Open Studios on the second and third weekends in October, art walks in specific neighborhoods occur throughout the spring and summer. Southeast Area Art Walk is the first weekend of March, Mt. Tabor Art Walk is in May.
See work by emerging and established artists at Portland’s many galleries during openings on the First Thursday of each month Downtown and in the Pearl District (Northwest). Gallery openings in the Eastside are held First Fridays. Last Thursdays on North Portland’s Alberta Street include artist booths along the entire street along with exhibits in shops and galleries. (see our resources page for links to many of these galleries)
A variety of art clubs hold annual shows and sales in the Portland area, including Portland Fine Arts Guild in spring and fall, North Clackamas Arts Guild in October, Oregon Society of Artists with monthly exhibits and a special Rose Festival show in June. The Watercolor Society of Oregon and the SW Washington Watercolor Society both have shows in spring and fall.
A significant event in the Portland art calendar is Cascade Aids Project’s annual art auction, for which many artists contribute work to raise funds to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and provide services to living with HIV.
While viewing and enjoying art, seriously consider purchasing pieces that touch you in a special way. Having original art in your home surrounds you with things that you treasure, connects you with feelings and ideas that inspire you, and reminds you of the subtle, personal things that make you who you are.
More details and dates for many of the above events will be listed on this page closer to the time of each event. If you would like us to list an art-related community event, please email us with information.
an artist a day:
Every April, Muse hosts “An Artist A Day,” a live art event and fundraiser to promote local artists and provide art supplies for Portland classrooms. Each day of the month, a different artist creates a piece of art in the front-window area of Muse. The public is invited to watch artists as they work. Muse provides materials for each artist to work in his or her choice of media. When each of the thirty pieces is finished, the works are exhibited and auctioned. Half of the winning bid for each piece goes to the artist who created the work and all remaining funds buy art supplies at wholesale cost for Schoolhouse Supplies, the free store for teachers!
hawthorne street fair:
The third Sunday in August is Hawthorne Boulevard’s famous Street Fair! Muse sponsors free family art activities each year for all ages. In the past, we’ve had Artist Trading Card contests, giant paint-by-numbers, coloring contests, street-art demonstrations, create-your-own iron-ons, and more. Come out to the Fair this summer and see what’s in store!
community giving at muse:
We feel fortunate to be a part of such a vital and creative community and are pleased to contribute what we can to support the goals and needs of schools and other not-for-profit groups. Please click this link to read our giving guidelines if you would like to request a contribution from Muse for your organization.
locally owned art supply stores in portland:
Portlanders’ enthusiasm for supporting locally owned businesses helps keep our economy strong and preserves our community’s one-of-a-kind culture. Portland’s independent art supply stores provide personalized service, sponsor local art organizations and events, and help build relationships between artists and the larger community. To follow what’s happening in Portland’s indepedent art materials retailers, visit the Portland Independent Art Supply Stores Facebook page
In addition to Muse Art and Design, locally owned art materials stores in Portland include: Collage , Columbia Art and Drafting, and I’ve Been Framed.
(note: as of August 2011, formerly locally owned retailer Art Media has been purchased by Dick Blick Holdings, Inc.)
See the Independent We Stand website for information about the impact your dollars have in your community when you choose to spend locally