March Art & Events Guide
Experience the Best of the Pearl this February
March is a standout month for the Pearl District, blending the neighborhood’s iconic art scene with lively community gatherings. The festivities begin with the First Thursday Gallery Walk on March 5th, where local galleries open their doors from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM to showcase new exhibitions and local talent.
The momentum continues throughout the month with several unique ways to get involved:
March 1–31: Celebrate Portland Dining Month all month long by visiting over 100 local restaurants for special culinary experiences.
March 5–7: Explore the Portland Small Press & Art Book Fair at 511 NW Broadway. This free, public event presented by the Pacific Northwest College of Art is a print-forward celebration of independent publishing and experimental art books.
Saturday, March 7: Join the TOMO Anniversary Party starting at 3:00 PM. Admission is $5 all day, though the event is free for members.
Wednesday, March 18: Build local connections at the Monthly Networking Coffee from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM, hosted by the Pearl District Neighborhood Association. The event takes place at HYPHN (390 NW 13th Ave) with coffee sponsored by Sisters Coffee Co.
In the News
Check out exciting News from the Pearl District!
Portland Dining Month | March 1- 31
Portland Dinning Month includes eight must-visit restaurants, showcasing the neighborhood's diverse and high-end culinary scene. Participating restaurants are divided into two price tiers, offering exclusive three-course menus that range from the upscale Japanese artistry of Momoyama and modern Peruvian flavors of Andina to the refined Pacific Northwest seasonal dishes at Arden and Southern comfort at Screen Door. Rounding out the neighborhood's offerings are more casual yet iconic spots, including wood-fired favorites at Oven and Shaker, elevated pub fare at Deschutes Brewery & Public House, and vibrant settings at Recess and Carlita’s.
For more info on the menu check out our blog!
Celebrity chef Brian Malarkey is set to open an expansive, high-energy steakhouse called The Malarkey in Portland’s Pearl District in mid-2026. Designed as a theatrical "spectacle" to revitalize the local dining scene, the 10,000-square-foot venue will feature eccentric decor such as restroom stripper poles, wall-mounted motorcycles, and massive bronze statues. While the atmosphere prioritizes a bold, party-like environment, the menu will remain focused on premium Pacific Northwest ingredients, including regional beef and coastal seafood.
PDX Monthly: Fancy Baby Reopens as Il Corso
In February 2026, the restaurant formerly known as Fancy Baby underwent a complete identity shift to become Il Corso. The venue moved away from its previous eclectic style to embrace the roots of a classic Italian tavern. The updated concept prioritizes a refined menu featuring artisanal cured meats and handmade pasta dishes, paired with a robust wine list. This pivot allows the operators to utilize their expertise in Italian flavors—much like their work at Tusk and Ava Gene’s—to create a more cohesive and traditional dining destination in the space.
Mono Space, a new Pearl District gallery devoted entirely to music, is reimagining what it means to listen. Founded by JD Hooge and executive director Steph Lanning, the renovated warehouse space blends the reverence of an art gallery with the intimacy of a listening room. Once the needle drops, there’s no talking, just deep, communal immersion in high-fidelity vinyl played through a custom-built, museum-worthy sound system. Hooge, inspired by both pandemic-era isolation and a renewed hunger for shared cultural experiences, describes the concept as “what an art gallery looks like for music,” pushing back against an era when songs are “flattened to little squares on our phones” and reduced to background noise.
Designed by renowned “sound sculptor” Devon Turnbull, Mono Space’s towering, vacuum-tube-powered speakers create an experience so vivid it borders on spiritual. The emotional impact can be profound. As Hooge puts it, “I see executives in here curled up in a ball in a fetal position for a couple of hours just completely feeling safe to do that.”
Check the website for times, dates and tickets.
Location: Maddox Building, 608 NW 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
Gallery Walk Spotlight
Elizabeth Leach Gallery 45th Anniversary
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."
Featured Artists
The show bridges the gallery's history by pairing Portland and beyond, long-time collaborators with new voices:
Legacy & Long-term: Lee Kelly, Christopher Rauschenberg, Richard Gruetter, Christine Bourdette, Henk Pander, Stephen Hayes, Ed Bereal, and Malia Jensen.
Contemporary & New: Jay Stern, Meagann Riepenhoff, Shannon Ebner, and Ray Anthony Barrett.
Image: Ray Anthony Barrett, I-15, Yermo, CA, Eddie World, 2025, pigment print, 21.5 x 31.25" image, 25.5 x 35.25" paper
First Thursday Gallery Walk
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.
Éléonore Simon - Valparaíso | through March 28
Terri Warpinski - Death|s|trip | through March 28
First Thursday Opening Reception | March 5, 5-8pm
In-Person Artist Talk - Terri Warpinski | March 7, 2-3pm
In-Person Artist Talk - Éléonore Simon | March 28, 2-3pm
Location | 122 Northwest 8th Avenue, Pearl District, Portland, OR 97209
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.
Christa Nye and Eddie Reed - WHEN WORDS ARE NOT ENOUGH | through March 28
Philip Stork - Abstract Journeys | through March 28
Mae Al-Jiboori - Presence Under Pressure | through March 28
Blackfish Gallery's current exhibition group features artists who use diverse media to explore social, political, and personal narratives. Key highlights include Ellen Goldschmidt’s improvisational abstractions that investigate visual paradoxes and Don Bailey’s vibrant paintings addressing Native American history and generational trauma. Other featured works by artists like Philip Stork and Mae Al-Jiboori delve into themes of time, vulnerability, and the internal creative process.
First Thursday Opening Reception | March 5, 5-8pm
Artists' Talk | March 8, 2-4pm
Artist Talk - Kendra Roberts | March 17, 3-5pm
Location | 938 NW Everett Street, Portland, OR 97209
Gallery Hours | Wednesday–Sunday, 11:00 am–5:00 pm
(*Please check the gallery website for current hours of operation)
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.
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."
Exhibition through May 2nd
Gallery Hours | Tuesday–Saturday, 10:30 am–5:30 pm (and by appointment)
Location | 417 NW 9th Ave. Portland, OR 97209
Image: Ray Anthony Barrett, I-15, Yermo, CA, Eddie World, 2025, pigment print, 21.5 x 31.25" image, 25.5 x 35.25" paper
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.
Zac Banik - I'm Just Happy to Be Here | through March 28
The current exhibition at Gallery 114 in Portland is "I'm Just Happy to Be Here" by artist Zac Banik, running through March 28, 2026.
The collection is deeply personal, featuring works that reflect the artist's gratitude for being alive following a period of profound realization.
First Thursday Opening Reception | March 5, 5-8pm
Artist Meet and Greet & Q&A | Feb 21, 2-4pm
Gallery Hours | Thursday through Sunday from 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Gather:Make:Shelter
Gather:Make:Shelter is a nonprofit founded to create opportunities for people experiencing houselessness and poverty to engage in collaborative, skill-building projects in creative fields, bringing houseless and housed people together to empower each other.
Green Period: Gloria Rodriguez
“Gather:Make:Shelter will kick off the year with a solo exhibition by long-time GMS artist Gloria Rodriguez. Green Period will highlight Gloria’s prolific practice by featuring a vast selection of her signature impressionistic and atmospheric paintings.”
Exhibition: January 10 - March 15th
GMS Annex | 1335 NW Kearney St. Portland, OR 97209
Gallery Hours | Saturday 12PM-4PM or by Appointment
GMS HQ | 906 NW 14th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
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.
Jennifer Pepin & Andrew Haskins - Before Elsewhere | through March 28
First Thursday Opening Reception | March 5, 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 Avenue, Portland, OR 97209
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.
Group Exhibition | through March 28
First Thursday Reception | March 5, 5-8pm
Special Event | March 14, 3-5pm
Gallery Hours | Open Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 am to 5:30 pm, and by appointment.
Location | 824 NW Davis Street, Portland, OR 97209
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.
Kevin Jesequel - Beneath the Bark | through March 29
This March, Waterstone Gallery presents Beneath the Bark, the debut exhibition of acclaimed woodturner Kevin Jesequel. The show features sensual, hollow-form vessels that emphasize the natural beauty of wood and the emotional impact of a curved line. Inspired by a personal journey that began in 2020, Jesequel’s mastery of the craft has established him as a leading artist in the field, earning him national recognition and prestigious showcases.
First Thursday Opening Reception | March 5, 5-8pm
Artist Talk | March 15, 11am-12:30pm
Gallery Hours | Wednesday–Saturday, 11:00 am–5:30 pm, Sunday, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
More to Explore in the Pearl!
PNCA Small Press & Art Book Fair
Portland’s vibrant indie publishing scene is taking center stage this March. The Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) is proud to present the 2026 Small Press & Art Book Fair, a three-day celebration of print-forward creativity, experimental matter, and independent voices.
Whether you’re a lifelong zine collector, a graphic design student, or just looking for a unique piece of local art, this fair is the place to be.
Location: PNCA (511 NW Broadway, Portland, OR)
Dates: March 5–7, 2026
Cost: FREE and open to the public.
TOMO Anniversary Party
It’s time to celebrate! TOMO is marking a major milestone, and you’re invited to the party of the season. Whether you've been a member since day one or are just looking for a great Saturday vibe in the Pearl District, this is one event you won't want to miss.
Date: March 7, 2026
Time: The party kicks off at 3:00 PM
Admission: $5 all day (Free for members!)
PDNA BSC Networking Coffee
Join the Pearl District Neighborhood Association for their monthly networking coffee! Connect with local professionals and get a first look at the neighborhood’s newest event destination.
Date: Wednesday, March 18th
Time: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Location: Hyphn, 390 NW 13th Ave. Portland OR 97209
Hosted By: Hyphn, Coffee Sponsored by Sisters Coffee Co.
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.
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