Augen Gallery, Portland

Augen Gallery is one of the area’s longest-established contemporary art galleries, founded in 1979 by Bob Kochs. It opened with an exhibition of prints from David Hockney’s The Blue Guitar series and soon presented works by Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Jim Dine, Frank Stella, and Robert Motherwell. The gallery later expanded from its original space in a historic 1894 building to a larger exhibition venue in the DeSoto Arts Building.

The gallery is especially known for contemporary and master prints, alongside painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed-media work by Pacific Northwest, national, and international artists. Its changing exhibitions may also include historical works, from Marc Chagall prints to medieval imagery. Bob Kochs and the gallery also played an important role in helping collector Jordan Schnitzer develop his major print collection.

Solo and group exhibitions are often accompanied by opening receptions, artist talks, and First Thursday events. The gallery also operates its own custom framing facility, allowing works to be framed and protected on site. Its bright exhibition rooms keep attention on the artwork, while the dog-friendly policy makes the space more accessible to visitors exploring the surrounding gallery district.