Hallie Ford Museum of Art

09/24/2026

Although the Hallie Ford Museum of art is one of the youngest academic museums on the West Coast, its history can be traced back to the founding of Willamette University in 1842. Over the past two centuries, a number of colorful characters have played important roles in its growth and development, from Methodist missionaries, early art teachers, German spies, French generals, and RAF pilots to gifted scholars, talented artists, eccentric collectors, visionary donors, and a dedicated, hardworking staff.

For the first time, its history and story is told in a new book, "The Hallie Ford Museum of Art: A History," by founding director John Olbrantz. The 184 page, lavishly illustrated book features chapters on early history, collections, exhibitions, programs, operations, and the future; informative endnotes to the essay; a brief chronology; artist life dates; a selected bibliography for further reading; an index; and 208 color and black and white illustrations.

The book retails for $50 for the hardcover, $25 for the softcover, and is available for sale through the Hallie Ford Museum of Art, the Oregon State University Press, and wherever books are sold. For further information, please call 503-370-6855.

09/24/2026

And, here is an in-depth profile of Hallie Ford Museum of Art Director John Olbrantz, who retired on September 4 after twenty-eight years as the founding director of HFMA and fifty years as a director and deputy director on the West Coast. Enjoy!

On his retirement, the long-time director of the Salem museum draws praise for building the endowment, acquisitions, and community.

09/24/2026

Here’s a terrific article on the Hallie Ford Museum of Art by David Bates that appeared in Oregon Arts Watch a couple of weeks ago. The article is part of their Cultural Hub series, an ongoing series of stories about some of Oregon’s cultural resources and treasures.

For 28 years, Willamette University’s museum has created community for Northwest regional artists. With new leadership and broad support, it's looking forward to continued success.

09/24/2026

Please join us next Friday, October 2 from 5-8 pm for the First Friday Art Walk. In addition to permanent galleries devoted to European, American, and Asian art, Native American art, and Northwest art, we have three special exhibitions that should not be missed:

"Handmade Revolution: Craft in the Pacific Northwest" (through March 13, 2027) explores the history of ceramics in the Pacific Northwest and the diverse approaches to traditional craft mediums by contemporary artists from throughout the region.

"What Do We Hold?: A Community Conversation" (through November 21, 2026) explores themes in the Declaration of Independence as reflected in works from the Hallie Ford Museum of Art's permanent collection.

"Drawn from the Collection" (through November 21, 2026) presents a selection of drawings from the Hallie Ford Museum of Art's extensive works on paper collection, many of which have never been exhibited before.

The Hallie Ford Museum of Art is located at 700 State Street, one block from Willamette University's campus and two blocks from downtown on the corner of State and Cottage Streets. Admission to the galleries is free for the First Friday Art Walk.

Fir further information, please call 503-370-6855

08/06/2026

Please join us and the Living Studio staff next Thursday, August 13 from 1-3 pm in the Maribeth Collins Lobby for a free poetry workshop in celebration of our current exhibition "Handmade Revolution: Craft in the Pacific Northwest," on view through March 13, 2027 in the Melvin Henderson-Rubio Gallery.

08/06/2026

Please join us this Friday, August 7 from 5-8 pm for the First Friday Art Walk, a celebration of Salem's downtown businesses. Currently on view are three terrific exhibitions: "Handmade Revolution: Craft in the Pacific Northwest," through March 13, 2027 in the Melvin Henderson-Rubio Gallery, and "What Do We Hold?" and "Drawn from the Collection," through November 21 in the James Nafziger Gallery and the Print Study Center.

06/27/2026

We hope to see you at the next Living Studios Workshop on Thursday, July 9 from 12 noon to 3 p.m.

05/13/2026

We're looking forward to seeing you on Thursday, May 14 from 12-3 pm for the All-Abilities Workshop.

04/28/2026

The Hallie Ford Museum of Art will be open on Friday, May 1, 2026 from 5 to 8 p.m. for First Fridays, a monthly celebration of downtown Salem that features local art, live music, pop-up events, and special deals in downtown stores and restaurants. Kick off your weekend with free admission and an evening of readings from "The Mill," Willamette’s literary magazine, from 5-7 p.m. In addition, two special exhibitions are currently on view.

"Surface Tension," which continues through May 9, 2026 in the Melvin Henderson-Rubio Gallery, features the artwork of senior studio art majors at Willamette University. Characterized by a wide variety of styles and approaches, the exhibition includes work in a range of media, including drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, new media, and installation art.

"Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts Biennial," which continues through June 20, 2026 in the Study Gallery and Print Study Center, features prints by native and non-native artists created at this important printmaking atelier on the Umatilla Reservation in eastern Oregon over the past two years. Included in the exhibition are works by Marwin Begaye, James Lavadour, Wendy Red Star, and Dyani White Hawk, among others.

The Hallie Ford Museum of Art is located at 700 State Street (corner of State and Cottage Streets) in downtown Salem near the campus of Willamette University and across the street from the Oregon State Capitol and Willson Park. In celebration of First Fridays, admission to the galleries on Friday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. will be free.

For further information, please call 503/370-6855.

04/14/2026

Please join Willamette University alumna Marie Watt '92 for a free printmaking workshop this Saturday, April 18 from 1-4 pm at the Oregon State Capital. No experience is necessary, and you'll be able to take your print home on the same day.