June in the Pearl District
June in the Pearl: Art, Books, and Fresh Bites
June is bringing the ultimate summer energy to Portland, and your calendar is about to be packed. We’re kicking things off on June 4th with First Thursday in the Pearl District, where you can wander the vibrant streets and catch a brilliant fusion of visual art and local performance at AMP Gallery’s Open Mic Gallery Night.
The neighborhood buzz continues into the weekend with the debut of the highly anticipated new Pearl District Farmers Market—your new Sunday go-to for fresh local produce and artisan treats. Plus, book lovers rejoice: Portland Book Week is officially taking over the city from June 5–14 with neighborhood book crawls and literary celebrations across our legendary indie shops. Grab your tote bags and your walking shoes; June is serving up the very best of local culture!
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.
40 Year Anniversary
2026 marks the 40th anniversary of Portland’s iconic First Thursday gallery walk openings! What began in 1986 as a small, collaborative effort to boost the local art scene has grown into a beloved, city-wide tradition that connects artists, galleries, and art lovers all year round.
The Portland Art Dealers Association (PADA) is celebrating four decades of cultivating our city's vibrant, inclusive arts ecosystem. From opening receptions and artist talks to the annual PADA Pop-Up, there is always something inspiring to discover.
👉 Join the celebration and view the digital Portland Art Guide at padaoregon.org.
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.
June Exhibits:
Trent Davis Bailey - The North Fork | through June 27
Jay Wolke - Big Boat Little Pond | through June 27
First Thursday Opening Reception | June 4, 5-9pm
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.
June Exhibits:
Group Invitational - BLACK MATTER | through June 27
Eddie Reed & Mae Al-Jiboori - I Am | through June 27
First Thursday Opening Reception | June 4, 5-8pm
Juneteenth Salon Discussion + Post-Panel Party | June 19, 5-9pm (at Studio 516)
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.
June Exhibits:
A Deeper Picture: Matthew Picton | Jun 4 - 27, 2026
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.
June Exhibits:
Group Show - Small Wonders | through June 27
Sally Finch & Sharon Servilio - Endangered | Engendered | through June 27
First Thursday Opening Reception | May 7, 5-8:30pm
Sally Finch & Sharon Servilio - Artist Talk | June 13, 2-4pm
Small Wonders Artist Meet & Greet | June 20, 2-4pm
Gallery Hours | Thursday through Sunday | 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Location | 1100 Building | 1100 NW Glisan St., Portland, OR 97209
Instagram | @gallery114
June Exhibits:
A Manageable Paradox - Erin Robinson Grant | June 4-27, 2026
Reception: June 4 | 5-8pm
Artist talk: June 13 | 2pm
Gallery Hours | Open Wednesday to Saturday: 11am-5pm
EXCEPT first Wed (closed) and first Thurs (open 5-8pm)
Location | 809 NW Flanders St, Portland OR 97209
Instagram | @imperfecta.xyz
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.
June Exhibits:
James Florschutz - Sounds of Memory | through June 13
Robin Kerr - With the Windows Wide Open | through June 13
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.
June 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
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.
June Exhibits:
Greg Wilbur with visiting artists Kristin Mitsu Shiga, Peter Reich, & Zachary Pearson - BALL | through June 28
First Thursday Opening Reception | June 4, 5-8pm
Artist Talk | June 21, 11am-12:30pm
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
Pearl District Culinary Farmers Market
Big news for the neighborhood! This Sunday, June 7th, the brand new Pearl District Culinary Farmers Market is officially launching, and we can’t wait to support it!
This isn't your average market. It’s a curated Chef’s Market highlighting the awesome connection between Oregon farms and Portland’s top kitchens. We’re talking peak-season berries from Pablo Munoz Farm, artisan breads from Fokattia, local sips, and features from neighborhood icons like Andina and Arden. Plus, live music from Tahira Memory! 🎶
This is a huge part of the Re-Ignite The Pearl initiative. Our local farmers, chefs, and makers are showing up for us—so let’s show up for them and pack the street!
Grab your market bags, bring your friends, and come hungry.
🗓️ Sunday, June 7, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 NW 13th Ave (between Everett & Glisan)
🎟️ FREE entry
Yoga in the Park
The first Re-Ignite the Pearl event was a major success. The neighborhood lawn was packed with over a hundred people moving together and stretching toward the city skyline, exceeding all turnout expectations.
A special shoutout goes to the volunteers. From handling check-ins to managing setup behind the scenes, the event wouldn’t have happened without their hard work. Thank you to everyone who unrolled a mat or lent a helping hand to bring this community initiative to life.
The next event is scheduled for June 27th. Mark your calendars, and see everyone back on the lawn!
Date | June 4th, 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.
Open Mic Poetry Night
Featured Poet: Louna Eclipse
Date & Time: June 4th, 6:00 – 8:30 PM
Location: A.M.P. Gallery (1124 NW 13th Ave, Portland)
Schedule
4:00 PM: Food truck on site & free New Deal Distillery tastings
6:00 PM: Doors open & poet sign-in
6:30 PM: First poet to the mic
Portland Book Week 2026
Dates: June 5 – June 14, 2026
Location: Citywide (Across 75+ independent bookstores in the Portland-Vancouver metro area)
Admission: Free to participate (Individual special events may vary)
About the Event: Celebrate the Rose City's thriving literary culture during Portland Book Week, a 10-day celebration of indie bookstores and readers. This region-wide "bookstore crawl" connects book lovers with over 75 unique, local shops.
Highlights Include:
Portland Book Week Bingo: Grab a bingo card, visit participating shops, and collect stamps to win prizes, gift cards, and exclusive merchandise.
Gold Star Events: Enjoy a curated lineup of special programming, including author talks, book launches, and Jane Austen-themed tea parties.
Rose City Book & Paper Fair: The week-long festivities culminate in the 20th annual fair, bringing together an additional 60+ specialized book and paper vendors.
Whether you are a lifelong bibliophile or looking to support local small businesses, Portland Book Week is the ultimate way to explore the Pacific Northwest's premier literary community.
For full event maps, bingo cards, and a schedule of author appearances, visit www.portlandbookweek.com
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!
🚀🎉 Boost your event for free with Around the Pearl! We're here to promote the Pearl District and highlight the events that make it a great place to live, work, and play.
DM us on Instagram @aroundthepearl.pdx or send us an email—we’d love to feature it!
