Blackfish Gallery, Portland

Blackfish Gallery is one of the oldest active artist-run cooperative galleries in the Pacific Northwest. Conceived in late 1978 and opened in 1979, it was created by artists who had limited access to the commercial gallery system. The founding members renovated their first exhibition space themselves, installing walls, flooring, and lighting. Today, the gallery presents changing exhibitions of painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, ceramics, textiles, and mixed media.

The gallery is managed collectively, with members curating exhibitions, organising events, and shaping its artistic direction. This approach supports experimentation and gives visitors opportunities to meet working artists. Over the decades, Blackfish has represented more than 200 artists from Oregon and Washington. It also helped establish the local First Thursday gallery walk through its involvement with the Portland Art Dealers Association.

A long-standing part of the Pearl District art community, Blackfish hosts solo and group exhibitions, opening receptions, discussions, and community programmes. Its continuing Black Matter series centres the work and experiences of Black artists in Oregon. Visitors may encounter abstract painting, landscapes, conceptual installations, sculpture, and handcrafted objects, with displays changing regularly throughout the year.