April in the Pearl District
Spring Has Arrived in Portland's Pearl District
Spring is in full swing in Portland's Pearl District, and April is bursting with things to do.
The First Thursday Street Gallery returns to NW 13th Avenue, showcasing original, handcrafted work by local makers and artists. Pair that with the First Thursday Gallery Walk, where national, regional, and local artists fill stunning Pearl District galleries all within easy walking distance. On April 9, don't miss Sips of Spring at Battle Creek Cellars, an intimate evening of wine, live music, and light bites with 100% of proceeds benefiting Shriners Children's Portland. Mid-month, the PDNA's Business Support Committee hosts its April Business Networking breakfast at Matta Café. On April 25, join the Pearl Earth Day Cleanup at Jamison Square Park at 10 a.m., followed by a community lunch sponsored by Fields Bar & Grill.
The Pearl District is Portland's most walkable, vibrant neighborhood, and this spring, it's better than ever. See all upcoming events on our Around the Pearl events page.
First Thursday Street Gallery is Back!
Date | April 2nd, 2026
Time | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location | Historic NW 13th Ave from Hoyt to Kearney St.
Event Overview | Running April through October, this beloved Pearl District tradition takes overNW 13th Avenue between NW Hoyt and NW Kearney on the first Thursday of each month.
City blocks close off to make room for an evening of creativity, community, and discovery; featuring original, handcrafted work by local artists and makers. Stop by any time from 5 to 9 p.m. and see what's new.
First Thursday in the Pearl District: A Portland Arts Tradition Since the 1980s
Since the mid-1980s, First Thursday in the Pearl District has grown from a small neighborhood art gathering into one of Portland’s most beloved cultural traditions. Today, First Thursday Portland is a vibrant, year-round monthly art walk that draws thousands of visitors to the Pearl District for gallery openings, artist talks, and evenings filled with creative energy.
A special thank-you to the Portland Art Dealers Association (PADA) for helping keep Portland’s gallery community connected and supporting the ongoing success of First Thursday in the Pearl District.
Blue Sky Gallery
Known as the Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts, Blue Sky Gallery has been a cornerstone of Portland’s art community since its founding, and it’s now celebrating its 50th year. This non-profit exhibition space is dedicated to showcasing contemporary photography and fostering meaningful dialogue between artists and audiences.
April Exhibits:
Elliot Ross | A Question of Balance to Blue Sky
Blue Sky and Photolucida | Creative Resilience: Critical Mass 2025 Top 50
First Thursday Opening Reception | Thursday, April 2nd | 5:00 -9:00 PM
Curator Walkthrough | C. Meier | April 4, 2-3pm
Conversation | Christopher Rauschenberg & Stu Levy | April 4, 3-4pm
Location | 122 Northwest 8th Ave. Portland, OR, 97209 (map)
Gallery Hours | Wednesday – Saturday | 12:00–5:00 pm
Instagram | @blueskygallerypdx
Blackfish Gallery
Nestled in the heart of the Pearl District, Blackfish Gallery has earned a reputation for showcasing bold, thought-provoking contemporary art. Featuring both local and international artists, Blackfish is dedicated to artistic excellence and cultural enrichment, making it one of Portland’s most enduring and influential galleries.
April Exhibits:
Jana Demartini | DANCING WITH TREE
BLACKFISH GALLERY ARTISTS| THE VERDANT HOUR
Pomegranate Doyle | Circe, Circle, Circus
Justin Auld | Address Label Mandalas
First Thursday Opening Reception | April 2nd | 5:00 PM-8:00 PM
Artists’ Talks | April 18 | 2 pm with Jana Demartini and Pomegranate Doyle
Gallery Hours | Wednesday–Sunday, 11:00 am–5:00 pm
(*Please check the gallery website for current hours of operation)
Location | 938 NW Everett St., Portland, OR 97209
Instagram |@blackfish_gallery
Elizabeth Leach Gallery
For over four decades, the Elizabeth Leach Gallery has been a pillar of Portland’s art community, representing both regional and international artists. Showcasing a wide range of media: from painting and sculpture to photography and multimedia, the gallery is celebrated for its commitment to excellence and engaging exhibitions.
April Exhibits:
Group Exhibition | Sense of Place
The sense of place exhibition at Elizabeth Leach Gallery marks its 45th Anniversary, showcasing works by 17 artists that explore the physical, conceptual, and political definitions of "place."
Gallery Hours | Tuesday–Saturday, 10:30 am–5:30 pm (and by appointment)
Location | 417 NW 9th Ave. Portland, OR 97209
Instagram | @elizabethleachgallery
Gallery 114
As one of the oldest artist-owned and artist-run collectives on the West Coast, Gallery 114 is a vibrant hub for contemporary art in Portland’s Pearl District. Located in the 1100 Building, the gallery is dedicated to fostering creativity and community through curated exhibitions and community-focused events.
Gallery 114 is a platform for artistic exploration: offering emerging and established artists a space to share their voices while enriching Portland’s cultural landscape.
April Exhibits:
Michael Spence | Explorations
First Thursday Opening Reception | April 2nd | 5-8pm
Gallery Hours | Thursday through Sunday | 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Location | 1100 Building | 1100 NW Glisan St., Portland, OR 97209
Instagram | @gallery114
J. Pepin Art Gallery
The J. Pepin Art Gallery offers a captivating showcase of paintings, sculptures, and multimedia installations highlighting the creative vision of local artists during the summer months. The gallery stands apart for its mission: to reframe the perception of mental illness as one of mental health. Each exhibition is not only a presentation of artistic talent but also a deeply personal dialogue. Alongside their work, artists share their journeys with mental health, sparking important conversations and reducing stigma through creativity.
April Exhibits:
First Thursday Opening Reception | April 2nd | 5-8pm
Please note the new hours or by appointment | Monday - Wednesday: CLOSED, Thursday - Saturday: 12 - 5 pm, Sunday: 12 - 4 pm
Location | Maytag Building | 532 NW 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
Instagram | @jpepinartgallery
Laura Vincent Design & Gallery
Founded in 2018, Laura Vincent Design & Gallery has quickly established itself as a thoughtful and dynamic space in Portland’s Pearl District. The gallery defines its artistic program through the work of contemporary artists: artists whose perspectives resonate deeply with today’s cultural landscape. Laura Vincent Design & Gallery presents curated shows featuring regional, national, and international artwork. With each exhibition, the gallery continues its mission to foster creativity, spark dialogue, and connect audiences with meaningful contemporary art.
April Exhibits:
Group Exhibition | Alexandra Boyden, Jen Crowe, Mark Dunst, Scott Gellatly, Marilyn Joyce Clive Knights, Scotty Peek, Erika Warhus, Kirk Weller
First Thursday Reception | April 2nd | 5-8pm
Gallery Hours | Open Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 am to 5:30 pm, and by appointment.
Location | 824 NW Davis St., Portland, OR 97209
Instagram | @lvdesignandgallery
NORTH POLE STUDIO
North Pole Studio supports careers in the arts, and exists to increase opportunities for artists with autism and intellectual / developmental disabilities to thrive as active members of the arts community. North Pole fosters self-determination and facilitate meaningful connections through total engagement in the arts.
April Exhibits:
James Enos | 2026 Oregon Contemporary Artists’ Biennial: The Price of the Ticket| through July 5 (at Oregon Contemporary)
Annie Rose Macer, Dan Tran, & Davis Wohlford | Wild Classified| through Dec 31 (The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, Beaverton, OR)
Gallery Hours | Monday - Friday | 10am - 3pm, Saturday | 10am - 12pm, *please visit website to confirm current hours of operation
Location | 1039 Building |514 NW 11th Ave Suite 203, Portland, OR 97209
Instagram | @northpolepdx
The BLACK GALLERY
The BLACK Gallery is a Black owned and curated gallery space that promotes arts and education to build community engagement and support activist voices. With a dedication to building a more inclusive and diverse society, The BLACK Gallery showcases a range of artists whose work addresses social justice issues and explores themes of identity, culture, and history.
April Exhibits:
Group Show | Window into Solitary| Photographers Loris Waselchuk, Philadelphia; Brian Branch-Price, New York; Brian Frank, San Francisco; Deborah Espinosa, Seattle
The exhibit focuses on 17 formerly incarcerated people from across the U.S. who have spent extensive amounts of time in solitary. In addition to powerful photographic images, the exhibit will include written testimony by the participants about their experiences in solitary confinement and their thoughts about its widespread use across the U.S. carceral system.
Location | 916 NW Flanders ST, Portland, OR
Gallery Hours | Thursday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. by appointment only. Visits can be scheduled by emailing info@theblackgallerypdx.com and student groups are encouraged
Instagram | @theblackgallerypdx
April Exhibits:
Waterstone Gallery
For more than 30 years, Waterstone Gallery has been a cornerstone of Portland’s Pearl District arts scene. As a contemporary gallery that is both artist-owned and artist-operated, Waterstone offers a unique perspective—providing a space where artists themselves shape the exhibitions and curatorial vision.
The gallery is dedicated to showcasing dynamic, thought-provoking, and beautifully crafted works of visual art, with a strong focus on Oregon artists. By championing local voices and fostering creativity, Waterstone Gallery continues to enrich the cultural landscape of Portland and beyond.
April Exhibits:
First Thursday Opening Reception | April 2nd | 5-8pm
Artist Talk | Sunday, April 12 | 11:00 am
Gallery Hours | Wednesday–Saturday, 11:00 am–5:30 pm, Sunday, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location | 124 NW 9th Ave. Portland, OR 97209
Instagram | @waterstonegallery
Gather:Make:Shelter Turns 9!
The GMS Gallery invites the community to mark a major milestone at this month's First Thursday Portland event.
Date | Thursday, April 2nd
Time | 5:30–7:30pm
Location | 1335 NW Kearney St., Portland, OR 97209.
Founded in 2017 by artist and activist Dana Lynn Louis as an intended year-long project, GMS quickly took on a life of its own thanks to the fervent support of the Portland community. Now a thriving 501(c)3 organization, GMS continues to grow through the combined passion and imagination of the people who call it home.
Fittingly, the current exhibition — New Buds — highlights new directions and mediums that GMS artists are exploring, while also welcoming several new members to the collective. Featured works include paintings, figure studies, bag designs, a diorama, cardboard sculptures, collages, and figure paintings created during a master class series with renowned artist Elizabeth Malaska.
Sips of Spring Benefiting Shriners Children's Portland
Registration is now open for Sips of Spring — a warm and intimate evening of fine wine, live music, and light bites at Battle Creek Cellars in Portland's Pearl District.
All proceeds go directly to Shriners Children's Portland, ensuring every child has access to exceptional care regardless of insurance status or a family's ability to pay. A wonderful way to come together for kids in our community. 🌷
Date | Thursday, April 9, 2026
Time | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location | Battle Creek Cellars, 820 NW 13th Ave, Portland, OR
Cost | $65 per person
Included | Wine tasting, light bites, live music, and stories from Shriners families.
Impact | 100% of proceeds support Shriners Children’s Portland.
Monthly Networking Coffee | Hosted by Matta Café
The Pearl District Neighborhood Association's (PDNA) Business Support Committee kicks off April with Business Networking at Matte.
April Business Networking
Time | 8–9 AM
Date | Wednesday, April 15
Location | Matta Café, 1425 NW Flanders St.
Founded by Aura Matta, a Colombian immigrant coffee farmer with deep roots in hospitality and community, Matta Café is a neighborhood gem known for its specialty coffee, handcrafted drinks, fresh pastries, and vibrant Latin flavors. It's the perfect setting to connect with fellow Pearl District business owners and neighbors over a great cup of coffee.
PDNA Earth Day Clean Up
Pearl Earth Day Cleanup 2026
Date | Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 10 AM
Location | Jamison Square Park, South side
Activity | 1 hour 30 minutes of trash pickup, ending back at Jamison Square
Before You Arrive:
Fill out the waiver on the PDNA website (required!) — pdna.org/waiver
Sign up to be assigned to a Group Leader
After the Cleanup, Community Lunch! Sponsored by Fields Bar & Grill. Owner Jim Rice provides food and refreshments.
Pearl in the News
Portland Gets Its Close-Up
The New York Times took a long look at our beloved city this month and summed it up perfectly:"Weird, but Life Is Good." The piece celebrated everything that makes Portland, well, Portland; from naked bike rides to world-class dining, 156 parks, and a creative energy that keeps drawing people in. As one local business owner put it, Portland has "a PR problem," because the reality on the ground is far better than the headlines suggest. What do you think?
Welcome to Around the Pearl
We've launched Around the Pearl to showcase the vibrant culture and exciting events that define the Pearl District! From unique art experiences to hidden gems, we're here to connect our readers with all the amazing happenings in our vibrant corner of the city. Whether you're looking to explore the dynamic art scene or connect with community, this is your go-to guide.
Have an Event? Get the word out!
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