November Art & Events Guide
Experience the Best of Art, Local Makers, and Seasonal Events
Kick off the holiday season in the the Pearl District! Enjoy November’s First Thursday Gallery Walk, showcasing new exhibitions and evening receptions. Discover seasonal highlights around the Pearl and join the community for the Holiday Tree Lighting & Small Biz Saturday at Jamison Square, perfect ways to shop local, enjoy live music, and celebrate the season.
First Thursday Gallery Walk
A Pearl District Tradition
Since the mid-1980s, First Thursday in the Pearl District has blossomed from a small neighborhood art gathering into one of Portland’s most beloved cultural traditions. Today, it’s a vibrant, year-round monthly celebration that draws thousands of visitors to the district for gallery openings, artist talks, and an evening filled with creative energy.
A special thank-you goes out to the Portland Art Dealers Association (PADA) for helping us stay connected with our city’s extraordinary gallery community.
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.
A Hub for Contemporary Photography
November Exhibition | 2024 En Foco Fellow Solo Exhibitions | Andrew Kung - A River Once Dreamed | Oji Haynes-Lae Fendi
First Thursday Opening Reception | Nov 8th 5:00-8:00PM
Location | 122 Northwest 8th Avenue, Pearl District, Portland, OR 97209
Gallery Hours | Wednesday – Saturday, 12:00–5:00 pm
Instagram | @blueskygallerypdx
The Black Gallery
The Black Gallery is a cultural center of the Pearl District. Through workshops, exhibitions, and community events, the gallery creates opportunities for dialogue, connection, and collective celebration. The Black Gallery serves as both a living art project and a catalyst for social change, making it one of Portland’s most dynamic cultural hubs.
Where Art and Activism Meet
November Exhibition | Tonita Cervantes - Black Snake Killaz, A Retrospective of the Indigenous-Led Movement at Standing Rock
Exhibition through Dec 4th | Tickets
First Thursday | Nov 6, 5-7pm
Community Art Build & Artist Talk - Tonita Cervantes | Nov 15, 12-3pm
Location | 916 NW Flanders ST, Portland, OR
Artist Website | cervantesnomad.photography
Gallery Hours (by appointment, free & open to the public)| Thursday – Sunday | 12:00–5:00 pm
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.
A Cornerstone of Portland’s Art Scene
November Exhibition | Justin Auld - Quantum Movement , Stephan Soihl - Landscapes and Pendulums - Then and Now , Priscilla Carrasco - Working Women of Peru, Aaron Johanson - Choreography of the Unextraordinary, Dede Lucia - PLAYA
Exhibition | through November 29th, 2025
First Thursday Opening Reception | Nov 6, 5-8pm
Artist Talk | Nov 15, 2-4pm
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.
An Iconic Pearl Gallery
November Exhibition | Stephen Hayes - Elegy
Exhibition | October 15th through November 29th, 2025
First Thursday | Nov 6th | 5:30 - 7:30PM
Location | 417 NW 9th Avenue, Portland, OR 97209
Gallery Hours | Tuesday–Saturday, 10:30 am–5:30 pm (and by appointment)
The Froelick Gallery
Since opening in 1995, Froelick Gallery has been a vital force in Portland’s contemporary art scene. Representing a diverse roster of artists with strong, independent voices, the gallery showcases work from the Pacific Northwest, across the United States, and as far as Tokyo. Originally located in downtown Portland, Froelick relocated in 2007 to the historic DeSoto Building, bridging Old Town and the Pearl District. Today, it remains a destination for those seeking compelling, thought-provoking exhibitions and meaningful engagement with contemporary art.
Contemporary - Independent - Diverse
November Exhibition | Gwen Davidson-Shorelines
Exhibition | through November 29th, 2025
Preview Reception | Wednesday, November 5, 5-7pm
First Thursday Reception | November 6, 5-8pm
Exhibition Talk | Saturday, November 8, 11am
Gallery Hours | Open for walk-in visits and by appointment Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am–5 pm
Location | 714 NW Davis Street, Pearl District, Portland, 97209
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.
More than just a gallery, 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.
An Artist-Run Collective in the Pearl
November Exhibition| Donald Laurent Dahlke - Collective, Sally Finch & Phil Harris - Passing Time
Exhibition | through November 29th, 2025
First Thursday Opening Reception | Nov 6, 5-8pm, Artist Talk - Sally Finch & Phil Harris | Nov 8, 11am-12pm
Gallery Hours | Thursday through Sunday from 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Location | 1100 Building, 1100 NW Glisan Street, Portland, OR 97209
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.
Art – Empowerment – Engagement
November Exhibition | Dream Machine
Exhibition | through - January 3, 2026
Opening Reception | Thursday, November 6, 2025 from 5:30-7:30pm
GMS Annex | 1335 NW Kearney St. Portland, OR 97209
Gallery Hours | Saturday 12PM-4PM or by Appointment
Location | 1335 NW Kearney St, 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.
Art, Mental Health, and Creative Dialogue
November Exhibition | North Pole Studio - Future Mythologies
Exhibition | through November 30th, 2025
First Thursday Opening Reception | Nov 6, 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.
Connecting Ideas, and Creativity
November Exhibition: Scott Gellatly | Lands Recalled and Echoed
Exhibition| through - December 20th
First Thursday Opening Reception | Nov 6, 5-8pm, A Dialogue with the Artist | Nov 15, 11am-12pm
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.
Artist-Owned, Artist-Driven
November Exhibition | Ruth Armitage - Between Certainties
Exhibition | through November 30th, 2025
First Thursday Opening Reception | Nov 6, 5-8pm
Artist Talk - Ruth Armitage | Nov 16, 11am-12pm
Gallery Hours | Wednesday–Saturday, 11:00 am–5:30 pm, Sunday, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
More to Explore in the Pearl!
Portland Center Stage | First Thursday Art & Music Event
Portland Center Stage is hosting its signature First Thursday gathering !
Date | Thursday, November 6th
Time | 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Admission | Free
The event will feature live music by The Jack Maiolo Trio and showcase a fresh art exhibit from local artist Valerie Yeo. Guests can also enjoy complimentary beer courtesy of Deschutes Brewery.
For those looking to start their holiday shopping early, awesome local vendors will be present. Portland Center Stage will also introduce its interactive Play(Along)Bill, which includes the chance to win super secret prizes. As an added bonus, all First Thursday attendees will receive 20% off their tab at Screen Door.
Holiday Market
When | Nov 6th–7th
Time | 4–10 PM
Where | McMenamins, Crystal Ballroom
Presented by | Urban Art Network (celebrating 25 years!).
Sip, shop, and celebrate Portland’s makers at Crafts & Cocktails, a two-night holiday market inside the iconic McMenamins Crystal Ballroom. Discover 75+ local artists & vendors, snag gift-worthy goods, and soak up the cozy end-of-year vibes.
A Community Holiday Event!
Date | Saturday, November 29
Time | 1PM–5 PM
The tree lighting ceremony will take place at 4:30 PM,
Location | Jamison Square, 810 NW 11th Ave
Free | All ages
The Pearl District is kicking off the holiday season with an afternoon of community celebration, local shopping, and festive cheer. Join us at Jamison Square for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting & Small Biz Saturday event, featuring live music from Low Bar Chorale, local vendors, food, hot cocoa, and more. The event is free to the public!
Presented in partnership with Hoyt Street Yards Community Association, Urban Art Network, PacifiCorp, and the Pearl District Neighborhood Association.
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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