Blue Sky/Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts

Blue Sky/Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts Blue Sky is a nonprofit photography gallery located in Portland's Pearl District. Admission is free. See blueskygallery.org for current hours.

Founded as the Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts by a group of five young photographers in 1975, Blue Sky became an established venue for local photography. Over the course of three decades, the organization expanded its offerings to include national and international artists, many of whom exhibited at Blue Sky early in their careers. Blue Sky’s special mission continues to be the exhibition

of emerging and established artists that exemplify the finest in photographic vision and innovation. As such, Blue Sky has earned the accolade as having “the best record of discovering new photographers of any artists’ space in the country.”

Today, from a 3,700-square-foot facility in Portland’s historic DeSoto Building, Blue Sky presents between 20 and 30 exhibitions annually and offers regular artist talks and programs, all free to the public.

Precision and style, you can have both! The gallery will be closed today as we complete installation June 2026 exhibitio...
06/03/2026

Precision and style, you can have both! The gallery will be closed today as we complete installation June 2026 exhibitions: 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝘀 𝗕𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘆: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙉𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙠 and 𝗝𝗮𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗹𝗸𝗲: 𝘽𝙞𝙜 𝘽𝙤𝙖𝙩 𝙇𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙋𝙤𝙣𝙙. Join us for the First Thursday Opening tomorrow from 5 - 9 PM to see the new shows in person!

Tap the link below to learn more:
https://www.blueskygallery.org/news/2026/june-at-blue-sky

Photo by Exhibition Committee member Paul Fukui.

This month, we welcome Portland Community College Photography Students to our Community Wall. Juried by Brittney Cathey-...
06/02/2026

This month, we welcome Portland Community College Photography Students to our Community Wall. Juried by Brittney Cathey-Adams, Chrys Giffen, Kim Manchester, and Kathi Rick, this exhibition showcases selected works by Portland Community College photography students from across all four campuses. The exhibition runs from Jun 4 – 27, with an opening reception on Thu, Jun 4, from 5 – 9 PM.
Thank you to PCC for this partnership and for bringing the talent and creativity of your students to Blue Sky!

Featured work: Ezra Liles, 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦

Registration is now open for PCNW’s 2026 summer fundraiser: Chase The Light! Join participants across the globe in 48 ho...
05/29/2026

Registration is now open for PCNW’s 2026 summer fundraiser: Chase The Light! Join participants across the globe in 48 hours of image-making worldwide. Make photographs with any type of camera between Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14. Every single participant who submits will have one photograph selected for inclusion in an in-person pop-up exhibition and print sale on June 20. Registration is a $25 suggested donation. However, to remove financial barriers, you can register for free.

Go to https://www.pcnw.org/chasethelight for more details!

Today and tomorrow are your last chances to catch our May exhibition: 𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘚𝘬𝘺 2005 - 2015: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦. Visit us ...
05/29/2026

Today and tomorrow are your last chances to catch our May exhibition: 𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘚𝘬𝘺 2005 - 2015: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦. Visit us between 12 - 5 PM to experience original and recent work from artists who have previously exhibited at Blue Sky between Oct 2005 - Oct 2015.

All prints (except as noted) are priced at $200 each and are on sale for a limited time. All proceeds go towards sustaining Blue Sky’s programming for the next generation.

Featured work:
Image 1 by Matt Eich
Image 2 by Rania Matar
Image 3 by Tamara Staples
Image 4 by Wolfgang Zurbon

Tap the link below to learn more about this exhibition
https://www.blueskygallery.org/gallery-exhibitions/2026/decade-4

Blue Sky is pleased to announce June 2026 exhibitions and programsJun 4 - 27 | First Thursday Opening: Jun 4, 5 - 9 PM𝗧𝗿...
05/28/2026

Blue Sky is pleased to announce June 2026 exhibitions and programs
Jun 4 - 27 | First Thursday Opening: Jun 4, 5 - 9 PM

𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝘀 𝗕𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘆: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙉𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙠
𝗜𝗻-𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗦𝗮𝘁, 𝗝𝘂𝗻 𝟲 𝗮𝘁 𝟮 𝗣𝗠
In 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘬, Trent Davis Bailey revisits a remote Colorado valley to reconnect with estranged family and immerse himself in the Western Slope community. Created over seven years, this project weaves personal history with evocative reflections on place, food and kinship, transforming memory into a vivid narrative.

𝗝𝗮𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗹𝗸𝗲: 𝘽𝙞𝙜 𝘽𝙤𝙖𝙩 𝙇𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙋𝙤𝙣𝙙
𝗭𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸: 𝗧𝗵𝘂, 𝗝𝘂𝗻 𝟭𝟴 𝗮𝘁 𝟲 𝗣𝗠 (𝗣𝗧) (Tap the link below to register)
Jay Wolke’s 𝘉𝘪𝘨 𝘉𝘰𝘢𝘵 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘯𝘥 explores the tensions between nature, architecture, and human ambition within the built environment. Through altered landscapes, these photographs reveal improvised assemblages and uneasy consequences shaped by institutional influences and industrial adaptations.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/lHE1pFy5QyChIEcegunovA

You’re invited to the 2026 Pacific Northwest Drawers June Print Walk!Sat, Jun 13 from 1 - 4 PM at Blue SkySpend the afte...
05/22/2026

You’re invited to the 2026 Pacific Northwest Drawers June Print Walk!

Sat, Jun 13 from 1 - 4 PM at Blue Sky

Spend the afternoon meeting new and returning artists, discovering stunning prints, and getting an inside look at the stories and process behind the prints. Plus, enjoy 10% off all print purchases made in the gallery during the event. We look forward to seeing you!

Our next 50th Anniversary Online Exhibitions open call is here. This time, we are revisiting the 1994 exhibition “A Show...
05/20/2026

Our next 50th Anniversary Online Exhibitions open call is here. This time, we are revisiting the 1994 exhibition “A Show of Hands” through a contemporary lens. Hands can be symbols of connection, expression, and care. From intimate gestures to collective movements, we invite broad interpretations of the theme across all photographic styles and approaches.

We encourage you to submit up to three images connecting the theme “A Show of Hands” by Fri, Jun 12 at 4:59 PM (PT). The show will be published on Thu, Jul 2, 2026.

Tap the link below for full details
https://www.blueskygallery.org/news/a-show-of-hands-open-call

Featured image from Chirstopher Rauschenberg collection

There are many perks to being a Blue Sky member. Not only do members enjoy discounts at different membership levels and ...
05/14/2026

There are many perks to being a Blue Sky member. Not only do members enjoy discounts at different membership levels and support our small but mighty team, but you’ll also receive a unique membership “card” each year.

For 2026, we’ve chosen this tote bag as our membership “card” so you can carry all your film rolls and camera gear in style! Become a member or renew your membership, and come pick up your tote bag this Saturday (May 16) at the Members May Party from 1 - 4 PM.

Can’t attend? No worries, we’ll mail it out to you later, so keep an eye on your mailbox!

Learn more: https://www.blueskygallery.org/member

2026 Blue Sky membership benefits have arrived! Come pick up your membership card, rewards, and hang out with fellow Blu...
05/12/2026

2026 Blue Sky membership benefits have arrived! Come pick up your membership card, rewards, and hang out with fellow Blue Sky supporters this upcoming Saturday from 1 - 4 PM at our Members May Party.

Community support has never been more important, and your membership helps us keep our programming, open calls, and admission free and accessible to the public. As we continue celebrating our 50th anniversary, we’re excited to serve the photography community for the next 50 years, and we couldn’t do it without you.

Are you a member but can’t attend? We’ve got you covered: Print-level members will receive a separate email to select their annual print, while Book-level members will have their book mailed directly to them. Please keep an eye out!

Hit the link below to learn more and become a member today!
https://www.blueskygallery.org/member

On view today through Sat, May 30: 𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘚𝘬𝘺 2005 - 2015: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦. Experience original and recent work from art...
05/07/2026

On view today through Sat, May 30: 𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘚𝘬𝘺 2005 - 2015: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦. Experience original and recent work from artists who have previously exhibited at Blue Sky between Oct 2005 - Oct 2015. All prints (except as noted) are priced at $200 each and are on sale for a limited time. All proceeds go towards sustaining Blue Sky’s programming for the next generation.

Browse all available work from this exhibition: https://www.blueskygallery.org/gallery-exhibitions/2026/decade-4

Address

122 NW 8th Avenue
Portland, OR
97209

Opening Hours

Wednesday 12pm - 5pm
Thursday 12pm - 5pm
Friday 12pm - 5pm
Saturday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

+15032250210

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Blue Sky/Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Blue Sky/Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts:

Shortcuts

Share

Category