Portland Art Center Shuts Doors & Pink Elephant Extravaganza

Well, it has officially happened. Gavin Shettler just announced the closing of PAC a couple days ago (read DK Row's article here). They were closed this January to prepare for a show in February, but I had an odd feeling all month long that they wouldn't be reopening their doors.

I don't exactly understand why it was so difficult for PAC to survive. Were the ole rich yuppie yups not aware how important they were as a Portland art institution? Or is there just not enough money in the Portland art scene to support another large institution? Either way, I'm not intelligent enough to pinpoint the problem. I can just recognize that there is a big fucking problem when a place like PAC can't survive in a city that prides itself on being an arts center (or at least a future one).

I deeply appreciate everything Gavin, Kelly, and their wonderful army of volunteers have done for this city. And hopefully, there will be many other art spaces to replace PAC.

I am just curious. Where will the Oregon Biennial be now, and where will the PNCA MFA show be this year? I really hope there is a space that can take over, and do the Oregon Biennial. Even though everyone it the art world seems to hate biennials, I oddly love them. I love to see who (and who doesn't) make the list. I love being pissed when they exclude someone, and I love celebrating when they do pick someone worthwhile. Essentially, it's a top ten list. And even though we hate to admit it, we all love a nice tidy list of people to look at.

On to the Pink Elephant! Yesterday, TJ Norris constructed a "white elephant" gift exchange between Portland-area artists, which was hosted at the wonderful NAAU. I received a piece from Bryan Schellinger! One of my absolute favorite Portland artists! It's a small piece on paper that I will happily frame, and will attempt to find a proper home for it on my walls. Thanks Bryan! See you all there again next year!

Here's a bad webcam pic of Bryan's piece I received, titled Elephant Shifter.