In the middle of the vibrant and thriving Portland art scene is Blue Sky Center for the Photographic Arts. Many galleries in the area represent a specific artistic fragment of the bustling cultural city, making Portland a rare urban center where art, business and commerce are all on the level. But instead of representing and highlighting one piece, Blue Sky photography exhibits the whole.
Image: Blue Sky
Founded in 1975 by five photographers, the center is located in the DeSoto Building - a 3,500 square-foot facility that includes a research library and spaces for artist’s talks. It began as a hub for local artists but since then has expanded to include national and international works. Every year Blue Sky features roughly 20 to 30 exhibits of the finest photography. One of the exhibits they are currently showing is 2013 Pacific NW Photography Viewing Drawers where 68 regional artists display 10 original prints from one single body of work. It’s one of the primary ways that Blue Sky engages the local untapped photographic talent. The center is also currently taking submissions for 2014 Pacific NW Photography Viewing Drawers.
Another captivating exhibit at the center is Fernando Brito’s showing of Your Steps Were Lost In The Landscape, a compilation of various still shots of the drug war violence in his hometown of Culiacan, Mexico, taken while working for his local newspaper. Another current exhibit is Kent Krugh's "spiritual quest" to photograph trees, understand them, and relate to them as fellow life forms. Each image in his series Inside the Gate is monochromatic, which is how he hopes viewers will begin to see the trees from an "almost divine perspective." But hurry - both of these exhibits close February 2nd.
Now in its 38th year, Blue Sky has also opened its’ doors for local events on top of the ones that they already curate. It is a great place to meet local photographers as well as get a glimpse of their amazing pictures.
If you see a photograph that you simply can’t live without, make sure to call Navis Pack & Ship Portland. Their art shipping professionals are standing by to get your new art from Portland to your home anywhere in the US!
Blue Sky Center for the Photographic Arts is located at 122 NW 8th Avenue, Portland, Open Tuesday-Sunday, 12-5pm, 503-225-0210, blueskygallery.org
