Installation view of Crepuscular Blue

Alison Saar is considered one of the most important and sometimes controversial artists doing public art today so it is timely to have her work back in Portland. PORT interviewed her here 7 years ago in a discussion that explored race, identity and the artist's way. What her current show at PNCA's 511 gallery reveals is she is also a formidable print maker, giving us another facet to consider in addition to the sculpture, which are also on display. Upon visiting the show I was struck by just how successful her prints are, often using inventive non traditional support materials, coupled with a keen graphic sensibility. All of the works come to the 511 Gallery via the Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation as part of their ongoing series at PNCA. It is one of the year's best shows and with everything else going on at PNCA the school (usually 2-4 other professional and student shows) is typically a best bet for 1st Thursday goers.

CREPUSCULAR BLUE: PRINTS AND SCULPTURE BY ALISON SAAR | September 7 - October 14, 2017
First Thursday: September 7, 6:00-8:00PM
Artist Talk: September 18, 6:30PM
PNCA
511 NW Broadway



Marie Watt, Companion Species (Canopy), 2016

Marie Watt has been on of the Pacific Northwest's stalwart artists for decades but this new series combining the depictions of a dogs (like the Capitoline Wolf) on various fabrics as well as sculptures argues to be her strongest work to date. I like to see an artist actually hit a new stride after getting a lot of awards and museum attention... it is a mark of distinction.

Companion Species | August 31 - September 30
First Thursday Reception: September 7, 6-8PM
PDX Contemporary
925 NW Flanders



Of course it is also the opening night of TBA (which has been pretty weak on visual art offerings the past few years). Still, it is a visual spectacle and hopefully Genesis Breyer P-Orridge will grace us with their challenging visual art in addition to performance? It is free at 8:30PM at 15 NE Hancock. Now that PICA owns full time home we hope the visual arts offerings will become less sporadic and more year-round? Ya know, throw it like you own it...