It is one of the strongest First Thursdays in years for Portland. Here is where you gotta go. (Liz Leach, Adams & Ollman and Portland's newest major gallery Jeffrey Thomas Fine Art all have shows that were up last month but worth a look). Here is what is new:


Gathering Autonomy: Justseeds Artists' Cooperative at PNCA's new 511 Gallery

Obviously the opening of PNCA's 511 building is a crucial part of Portland's visual art scene and the school is throwing a First Thursday Festival from 6-9PM. Explore the building, which will be filled with multimedia art installations, even outdoor projections upon the building. Check out the new 511 gallery, which presents Gathering Autonomy: Justseeds Artists' Cooperative.

First Thursday Festival | March 5 6-9PM
PNCA
511 NW Broadway



Gate E at Muscle Beach

Muscle Beach has taken over a great space in Morgans Alley for Gate E a group show featuring, Erika Ceruzzi, Zack Davis, Lali Foster, Heather McKenna and Rebecca R Peel.

Gate E | February 20-March 25
First Thursday open til 7PM
Muscle Beach @ Morgan's Alley
515 SW Broadway




Grey Cane

She just won this year's Bonnie Bronson fellowship so check out Cynthia Lahti's Battle at PDX Contemporary.

Battle | March 3 - 28
PDX Contemporary
925 NW Flanders



Tobias Zehntner

Hap gallery is generally happening and In To Feel What I Am, the curators Eileen Isagon Skyers and Iris Williamson survey the power and failure of communication in a digital age.

To Feel What I Am | March 5 - 28
Hap
915 NW Flanders




Another potential plus to having PNCA so nearby is the once crucial Everett Station Lofts galleries are getting a real shot in the arm and upping their game. Composition has been leading the charge and with it looks like they are making it a habit with Andre Filipek's Pup Insolence. The title fits a recently graduated artist and it is what I love so much about the Everett Station Lofts from 1999-2005, then it went away for a while as alternative spaces fanned out across the city. Nice to see the lofts becoming an insolent art puppy mill again.

Pup Insolence
Reception: Mar 5 (6-9)
Composition
625 NW Everett #102 (its on NW 6th)