March First Thursday Gallery Guide
Get ready to dive into the exciting events happening in our wonderful community with Around the Pearl as your ultimate guide!
Portland’s Pearl District is buzzing with creativity this March, offering a rich lineup of art exhibitions, and events highlighting local, national and international talent. The variety of artwork showcased in the galleries this month is truly remarkable! From the thought-provoking pieces of Dinh Q. Lê at Elizabeth Leach Gallery to the striking contemporary photography at Blue Sky Gallery and vivid depictions of nature by David Cohen at Gallery 114, experience a variety of incredible art, all within a few blocks - we have it all in the Pearl District!
Here's a glimpse of what's happening in the Pearl this March!
Blue Sky Gallery
Blue Sky Gallery, also known as The Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts, is a non-profit exhibition space for contemporary photography in Portland, Oregon. The gallery is dedicated to public education and began by showing local artists before slowly expanding to national and international artists. Blue Sky’s mission is to inspire and build community between contemporary photographic artists and our audiences through exhibitions, publications, and dialogue.
Gallery Hours | Wednesday - Saturday, 12:00-5:00 pm
Location | 122 Northwest 8th Avenue, Pearl District, Portland, 97209
Lost Landscapes | Debra Achen & Charlotta María Hauksdóttir
Exhibition | Mar 6 - 29, 2025
First Thursday Opening | Mar 6, 5 - 8 PM
In-Person Artist Talk | Sat, Mar 8, 3 PM
Charlotta María | website | @charlottamh
Debra Achern | website | @debbieachen
Image | Debra Achern #debraachen
Blackfish Gallery
Located in the Pearl District, Blackfish is renowned for its dynamic exhibitions featuring contemporary art by both local and international artists. Committed to artistic excellence and cultural enrichment, Blackfish Gallery remains a cornerstone of Portland's thriving arts scene.
Gallery Hours | Wednesday–Sunday | 11am–5pm
*please visit the website to confirm current hours of operation
Location | 938 NW Everett St. Portland, OR 97209
Adventures in Abstraction |
Carol Benson and Michael Knutson,
Forms Open or Dense |
Stephan Soihl
Cosmic Leaves - Miniatures and Giants |
Kanetaka Ikeda
Exhibition | March 5 - March 29, 2025
First Thursday Opening Reception | March 6, 5 – 8 pm
Artists’ Panel Discussion | March 22, 12 pm
Elizabeth Leach Gallery
The Elizabeth Leach Gallery features regional and international artists across various mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, and multimedia. It remains a vital cultural hub dedicated to outstanding artistry and engaging exhibitions and an essential destination for art enthusiasts in Portland.
Gallery Hours | Tuesday through Saturday: 10:30 am–5:30 pm and by appointment
Location | 417 NW 9th Avenue, Portland, OR 97209
A Survey 1995-2023 | Dinh Q. Lê
Elizabeth Leach Gallery presents Dinh Q. Lê: A Survey 1995 - 2023, an exhibition celebrating the life and work of Dinh Q. Lê (1968 - 2024).
Exhibition | March 5 - April 26, 2025
First Thursday | March 6, 2025, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Website | @elizabethleachgallery
Image | Dinh Q. Lê: A Survey 1995-2023
The Froelick Gallery
Froelick Gallery exhibits and represents a diverse roster of contemporary artists, each with strong and independent voices. Their artists live in the Pacific Northwest, throughout the US, and in Tokyo. In October 1995, the gallery opened in Downtown Portland and relocated in 2007 to the historic DeSoto Building between Old Town and the Pearl District.
Gallery Hours | Open for walk-in visits and by appointment Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am–5 pm
Location | 714 NW Davis Street, Pearl District, Portland, 97209
Holding Space | Rebecca Boraz
Exhibition | March 4 - April 12, 2025
First Thursday | March 6, 2025, 5:00 - 8:00 pm
Artist Talk: Saturday, March 15, 11 am
Image | Rebecca Boraz: Behled, 2023
Gallery 114
Gallery 114, one of the oldest artist-owned and artist-run collectives on the West Coast, is a vibrant hub for contemporary art in Portland's bustling Pearl District. Located in the 1100 Building, it serves as a prominent venue for curated exhibitions and community-focused events, enriching the cultural landscape and providing a dynamic platform for artistic exploration and engagement.
Gallery Hours | Thursday through Sunday from 12:00 – 5:00 pm
Location | 1100 Building, 1100 NW Glisan Street, Portland, OR 97209
The Church of Lepidoptera | David Cohen, To The Body | Zac Banik, Adam Amidei, Dre Johnson (Hidden Opulence), Jen Fuller | Glass Art
Exhibition | March 6 - 31
First Thursday Opening Reception | March 6, 5 – 8 pm
Artist Talk | Saturday, March 8, 1 pm.
David Cohen website | @davidcohenart
Image: David Cohen, The Church of Lepidoptera
J. Pepin Art Gallery
The J. Pepin Art Gallery offers a captivating showcase of artworks during the summer months. Known for its eclectic mix of paintings, sculptures, and multimedia installations, the gallery highlights the creative vision of local artists. J. Pepin Art Gallery reframes the perception of mental illness as one of mental health. Along with their work, the artists share their own journeys with mental health, creating a much-needed dialog.
Please note the new hours or by appointment:
Monday - Wednesday: CLOSED, Thursday - Saturday: 12 - 5 pm, Sunday: 12 - 4 pm
Location | Maytag Building, 532 NW 12th Avenue, Portland, OR 97209
Disjointed Reality | Kris Haas
“Kris Haas’s "Disjointed Series" is an exploration rooted in the concepts of fragmentation and cohesion, seeking to untangle the intricate layers of her past and present. She strives to find balance among aspects of her life, particularly the dichotomy of who she was before and after an accident which resulted in a Brain Injury Disability. Sections of previous works are reincarnated through collage onto new canvases. This technique not only repurposes the incomplete but also strives to establish a peaceful cohesion from the chaos of her past, illuminating a path towards clarity in the present.” - J.Pepin Gallery
First Thursday Opening Reception | March 6, 5:30-8 pm
Image: Abbreviated (Not!) by Kris Haas
Laura Vincent Design & Gallery
Established in 2018, Laura Vincent Design & Gallery defines its artistic program through the work of represented contemporary artists with soulful and discerning voices. Exhibition-based, the gallery hosts shows of regional, national, and international artwork.
Gallery Hours | Open Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 am to 5:30 pm, and by appointment.
Location | 824 NW Davis Street, Portland, OR 97209
A COLLECTION | Maryann Puls & special guest artist Darci Phenix | SABLE
Exhibition | March 6-29, 2025
First Thursday Opening Reception & Album Release Party for Sable | March 6, 5-8 pm
A Dialogue with Darci Phenix | March 22, 11 am
@lvdesignandgallery, @mpulsartist, @darciphenix
Image | Darci Phenix
Waterstone Gallery
Waterstone Gallery is a contemporary artist-owned and operated gallery in Portland’s Pearl District, home to a vibrant arts scene. The gallery has been operating for over 30 years and presents dynamic, thought-provoking, and beautifully crafted visual art by Oregon artists.
Gallery Hours | Wednesday–Saturday, 11:00 am–5:30 pm, Sunday: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location | 124 NW 9th Avenue, Pearl District, Portland, OR 97209
Exhibition | March 5 - March 30, 2025
Opening Reception & First Thursday | March 6, 5 - 8 pm
Artist Talk | Sunday, March 23, 11 am
GRAPEFRUIT | Works inspired by Yoko Ono by artists Pippa Arend, Leah Kohlenberg & Yasmin Nysten
Located in the heart of the Pearl District, in the 13th Street Lofts, “The Residency” art studio is Portland’s newest destination for innovative art exhibitions and experiences.
GRAPEFRUIT features: The Residency Artists: @Pippa Arend and @Leah Kohlenberg as well as guest artist, @Yasmina Nysten. Enjoy great art, snacks and wine, and DJ The Perfect Cyn.
Join “The Residency” for a premier First Thursday Art Exhibit!
First Thursday | March 6th, 5:30-8:30pm
Location | The Residency Studio, 239 NW 13th Avenue, #211 (across from Weiden + Kennedy) next to Blu Dot on NW 13th.
Pippa Arend | @Pippa Arend
Leah Kohlenberg | @Leah Kohlenberg
Yasmin Nysten | @Yasmina Nysten
Image | Pippa Arend: Yoko Ono
Susi Davis & Conor Davis Art & Design First Thursday Event
Artist Susi Davis – pet portrait pro, landscape artist, and book illustrator extraordinaire! For nearly a decade, she’s been bringing furry friends and breathtaking scenery to life with her signature watercolor style.
Join Susi and emerging designer Conor Davis, along with The Residency artists, for a night of art, design, and creativity at the 13th Street Lofts this First Thursday!
An Art & Design Studio Event!
Susi Davis will showcase her beautiful artwork, while emerging clothing designer Connor Davis debuts fresh new styles—plus hats for sale!
First Thursday | March 6, 4:00- 8:00 pm
Location | 239 NW 13th Avenue, #308
Read more about Susi here!
MORE EVENTS AROUND THE PEARL
March First Thursday featuring Noah Simpson | Portland Center Stage
Thursday, March 6, 2025 | 5:00 pm -7:00 pm
Location | Portland Center Stage at the Amory
128 NW Eleventh Ave, Portland, OR 97209
This First Thursday will feature live music by Noah Simpson (trumpet player, composer, pianist, and educator) mixing influences from classic jazz, classical music, r&b, and modern pop into his set. Deschutes Brewery will provide complimentary beer.
This event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
Gather:Make:Shelter Group Show
Feature work by GMS Collective artists: Shea, Bea, Faera, Starburst, Violet, Aileen, and Gloria
Exhibition | February 22 - March 29, 2025
First Thursday Opening Reception | March 6, 2025 5:30-7:30 pm
Location | Gather:Make:Shelter, 1335 NW Kearney St. Portland, OR 97209
PNCA Design Lecture Series | Eyes and Ears: Design Lecture Series w/ Bijan Berahimi (FISK)
Tuesday, March 11th, 2025 | 6:30- 8:00 pm
Location | PNCA, 511 NW Broadway, Portland, OR 97209
The PNCA Design Lecture Series welcomes designers from all over the world to share their work and what moves them. In their March 2025 installment, Bijan Berahimi will talk with us about his work and the areas where design and music—and collaborations with musicians—drive his practice.
This lecture is hosted by PNCA Graphic Design in conjunction with "Eyes and Ears, A Survey of Visuals in Music 2020–2024," on exhibit February 6 to April 3, 2025.
It’s a Purim Celebration!
Join our Pearl District friends at the Jewish Oasis: Chabad Portland Center for a Purim celebration with Jewish deli sandwiches, knishes, pickles and the whole megillah!
Thank you to the Purim lead sponsors, Jeffrey & Mahri Weitz, visionaries behind Portland’s upcoming kosher deli.
March 14th from 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm
Reservations | Website
Limited to 75 guests.
RSVP Tickets before March 5th $36
Tickets after March 5th: $45
PEARL DISTRICT IN THE NEWS
North Pole Studio, a nonprofit hosting over 275 artists with autism and intellectual disabilities, moves to the Pearl District.
Willamette Week highlights the organization's mission, growth, and the generous support of property owner Al Solheim in championing this incredible nonprofit’s move to the 1100 Building in the Pearl District.
“We hope this location will bring greater visibility to this talented community of artists and further expand their representation in the local arts scene.” - Executive Director, Carissa Burkett.
Read more in Willamette Week!
Welcome to Around the Pearl!
We've launched Around the Pearl to showcase the vibrant culture and exciting events that define the Pearl District! From unique art experiences to hidden gems, we're here to connect our readers with all the amazing happenings in our vibrant corner of the city. Whether you're looking to explore the dynamic art scene or connect with community, this is your go-to guide.
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