Dive Into the Art Scene Home to one of the oldest art museums on the West Coast — the Portland Art Museum (1219 SW Park Ave.) — Portland’s dedication to the visual arts stretches back to its early days in the late 19th century. Today galleries and contemporary murals dot every corner of the city — showcasing work ranging from funky and folksy to contemporary and cutting edge. These varied art venues keep their doors open late for special events and exhibits during three buzzy art walks: the monthly First Thursday in Northwest, First Friday in the Central Eastside and Last Thursday in the Alberta Arts District. You can pinpoint a few nerve centers in the creative community open to visitors, including Oregon Contemporary (8371 N. Interstate Ave.), Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (PICA; 15 NE Hancock St.) and the ADX (Art Design Xchange; 417 SE 11th Ave.) makerspace. See if you can find the iconic “umbrella man” statue at Pioneer Courthouse Square, bronze animals in the pools downtown and more with the help of the free Public Art PDX app. Ka’ila Farrell-Smith’s “After Boarding School: In Mourning” at the Portland Art Museum’s “Throughlines: Connections in the Collection” exhibit, June 7, 2024–March 30, 2025 Remarkable festivals show off the city’s robust creative scenes. February PORTLAND WINTER LIGHT FESTIVAL Designed to brighten wintry nights and build community, this annual two-week event brings hundreds of illuminated art installations to the city. Other activities include an illuminated bike ride, a lantern parade and dance shows. For more information, visit PDXWLF.com. February BIAMP PDX JAZZ FESTIVAL Bringing together internationally recognized jazz masters and critically acclaimed local acts, the PDX Jazz Festival hosts dozens of headline concerts in historic venues and clubs across the city. Visit PDXJazz.com for more information. July JUST ADD WATER (JAW) FESTIVAL Drawing some of America’s most talented playwrights, Just Add Water takes over the Armory each July for staged readings and performances of spanking-new scripts. Visit PCS.org for more info. August VANPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL Jazz enthusiasts gather every summer to hear nationally renowned artists pay tribute to the city of Vanport, site of Portland’s historic 1948 flood. This cultural revival is as much about community as it is about the music. Visit VanportJazzFestival.com for more. September TIME-BASED ART (TBA) FESTIVAL Come see why the New York Times named this “the best contemporary summer festival in the country.” Modeled after international art festivals in cities like Edinburgh and Adelaide, TBA draws artists from around the globe for a celebration of performance and visual art. You’ll find experiential art pop up in the city’s theaters, galleries and public spaces. For more information, visit PICA.org. ARTS FESTIVALS 5 PORTLAND ART MUSEUM PURCHASE: FUNDS PROVIDED BY THE NATIVE AMERICAN ART COUNCIL 49 PortlandUncovered.com
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