Salem Art Association

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Salem Art Association Non-profit arts organization operating the Bush Barn Art Center and Annex, a Community Arts Education

Founded in 1919 in Salem, Oregon, the Salem Art Association (SAA) is a 501c3 non-profit arts organization serving the mid-Willamette Valley. SAA operates the Bush Barn Art Center, the Annex, the Bush House Museum, a Community Arts Education program, and the Salem Art Fair & Festival. The mission of the Salem Art Association is to actively engage the community in the appreciation of the arts through contemporary art exhibitions and events, arts education for youth and adults, and the preservation and interpretation of our shared cultural heritage.

Four thoughtful and moving exhibitions are in their final days at the Salem Art Association. Each offers a different per...
10/22/2026

Four thoughtful and moving exhibitions are in their final days at the Salem Art Association. Each offers a different perspective, story, and opportunity to connect through art. This is your chance to experience these works before they close!

Visit the Bush Barn Art Center to explore:

"Indigenous Northwest Biennial," curated by Steph Littlebird in the A.N. Bush Gallery
"And There Was Evening, and There Was Morning" by Taylor Manoles in the Camas Gallery
"Words to My Story" by James Hockenhull in the Focus Gallery
"The Work We," a group exhibition in the Annex Gallery

All four exhibitions close this Sunday, October 25, 2026.

Treat yourself to an afternoon in the galleries. If you've already seen these exhibitions, consider inviting a friend who might connect with a particular show or work of art, or someone who might not otherwise visit. Art is always worth sharing.

Bush Barn Art Center & Annex
600 Mission St. SE
Salem, OR 97302

Gallery Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 12–4 p.m.
Free and open to the public.

Read more: https://salemart.org/events-exhibitions/

2027 Artist-in-Residence Applications Are Open!Are you an artist looking for space to create, experiment, and grow your ...
10/21/2026

2027 Artist-in-Residence Applications Are Open!

Are you an artist looking for space to create, experiment, and grow your practice? Now is the time to apply for Salem Art Association’s 2027 Artist-in-Residence Program!

This residency provides dedicated studio space for artists to develop new work, connect with the community, explore new ideas, and share their creative process.

Benefits include:
• Dedicated studio space to develop and create new work
• Opportunities for collaboration and community engagement
• Professional development support

Artists at all stages of their careers are encouraged to apply.

The application deadline is November 30, 2026. Don’t miss this opportunity to take your artistic practice to the next level!

Learn more and apply today: https://salemart.org/call-for-artists/
Questions, email [email protected]

There is still time to make your way over to the Bush Barn Art Center today Saturday, October 17, at 1:00 p.m. for an Ar...
10/17/2026

There is still time to make your way over to the Bush Barn Art Center today Saturday, October 17, at 1:00 p.m. for an Artist Talk with Leland Butler and Leonard D. Harmon, presented as part of Indigenous Northwest Biennial, curated by Steph Littlebird and on view through October 25, 2026, in the A.N. Bush Gallery.
Hear from Butler and Harmon about the experiences, cultural influences, and creative processes that shape their work.

We hope to see you there!

Leland Butler (Grand Ronde/Siletz/Yurok) uses photography to explore connections between people, place, identity, and memory.
Leonard D. Harmon draws on ancestral influences and personal experiences, blending traditional cultural influences with contemporary forms to share stories and reflect on tribal traditions.

Indigenous Northwest Biennial highlights the diversity of Indigenous art across the Pacific Northwest, bringing together traditional and contemporary practices that carry ancestral knowledge forward.

Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Gallery Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 12:00–4:00 p.m.
Free and open to the public





Steph Littlebird Art

Take a break from the autumn chill, wander through the galleries, and make space for a little inspiration and reflection...
10/17/2026

Take a break from the autumn chill, wander through the galleries, and make space for a little inspiration and reflection at the Bush Barn Art Center & Anne and explore two exhibitions that invite you to slow down with new perspectives on making an meaning.

In the Focus Gallery, “Words to My Story” by James Hockenhull explores human consciousness, perception, and our instinct to find meaning in ambiguous images. Drawing inspiration from art brut, children’s drawings, Bay Area funk, surrealism, and other quirky art forms, Hockenhull creates work that invites viewers to imagine, interpret, and discover their own stories within the art.

In the Annex Gallery, “The Work We Make” brings together artists Yanely Rivas Maldonado, Meg Rowe, Rachel Wood, Jessica Rehfield, and LYLAC, who have participated in Salem Art Association’s 2026 Artists in Residence Program. Featuring printmaking, painting, sewing, embroidery, and fiber arts, this group exhibition offers a glimpse into the diverse materials, processes, and ideas that shape each artist’s practice.

Bush Barn Art Center & Annex
600 Mission St. SE
Salem, OR 97302

Both exhibitions are on view October 2–25, 2026.

Gallery Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 12–4 p.m.
Free and open to the public.

Read more: https://salemart.org/events-exhibitions/



Hockenhull Jessica Rehfield .art Rachel Wood .rowe.12

Join artist Meg Rowe for a Community Stitch Session at the Bush Barn Art Center Annex Studio.Together, we’ll use the “fe...
10/14/2026

Join artist Meg Rowe for a Community Stitch Session at the Bush Barn Art Center Annex Studio.

Together, we’ll use the “feminine arts” of embroidery and hand sewing to create a material record of 350 words and phrases—from the accessible to the deeply personal—that have been deemed “unacceptable” by the federal administration.

Participants will embroider these words on prepared vintage textiles using simple stitch structures in red thread on a white background. Through these traditional art forms, the project seeks to protect this moment in history from erasure while creating a material record of words and concepts belonging to all of us—especially the marginalized people they describe. It is an act of noncompliance, resistance, and pure joy.

Some experience with embroidery or hand sewing is needed. Each session will begin with an orientation and demonstration.

SEPTEMBER COMMUNITY STITCH SESSIONS

Wednesday, October 14 | 6–8 PM
Sunday, October 18 | 11 AM–4 PM

LOCATION
Bush Barn Art Center Annex Studio
600 Mission St SE, Salem, OR 97302

HOW TO PARTICIPATE
To join a session, RSVP to [email protected] with your preferred date(s), time, and experience level: basic, intermediate, or advanced.

Questions about the stitch sessions or interested in donating materials? Contact [email protected].

Come stitch with us as we create a collective material record—one word, one stitch, one piece of history at a time.

This project is part of The Work We Make, currently on view in the Annex Gallery through October 25, 2026.

THE WORK WE MAKE
October 2–25, 2026 | Annex Gallery

.rowe.12

The Indigenous Northwest Biennial, on view through October 25, 2026, at the Bush Barn Art Center celebrates 16 Indigenou...
10/13/2026

The Indigenous Northwest Biennial, on view through October 25, 2026, at the Bush Barn Art Center celebrates 16 Indigenous artists from throughout the Pacific Northwest, showcasing traditional and contemporary practices, stories, and materials.

Today, we’re highlighting two of the 16 artists exhibiting in the show: Kanani Miyamoto and Joe Scot, whose work honors cultural identity, community, and the connections between people and place.

Kanani Miyamoto is a Honolulu-born artist and printmaker based in Portland, Oregon. Drawing from her Hawaiian and Japanese roots, she creates large-scale print installations celebrating intersectional identities and community. Her work explores cultural authenticity, representation, and institutional critique. She is also a passionate advocate for arts education and serves as Arts Coordinator at p:ear, a creative drop-in center for homeless youth.

Joe Scot, a member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz who identifies as Rogue River Indian, is a traditional ecologist specializing in Indigenous Fire Science, as well as a storyteller, dancer, and singer. Inspired by oak trees, fire stories, and cultural landscapes, Scot works to reverse the erasure of Indigenous ecological knowledge and highlight the vital relationship between Indigenous communities and healthy ecosystems.

Together, these artists offer powerful perspectives on cultural identity, community, and the knowledge carried through generations.

Visit the exhibition: Bush Barn Art Center & Annex
600 Mission St. SE, Salem, OR 97302

On view through October 25, 2026
Wednesday–Sunday, 12–4 p.m.
Free and open to the public.

Learn more: https://salemart.org/events/indigenous-northwest-biennial/



Join us Saturday, October 17, at 1:00 p.m. for an Artist Talk with Leland Butler and Leonard D. Harmon, presented as par...
10/12/2026

Join us Saturday, October 17, at 1:00 p.m. for an Artist Talk with Leland Butler and Leonard D. Harmon, presented as part of Indigenous Northwest Biennial, curated by Steph Littlebird and on view through October 25, 2026, in the A.N. Bush Gallery.

Hear from Butler and Harmon about the experiences, cultural influences, and creative processes that shape their work.

Leland Butler (Grand Ronde/Siletz/Yurok) uses photography to explore connections between people, place, identity, and memory.

Leonard D. Harmon draws on ancestral influences and personal experiences, blending traditional cultural influences with contemporary forms to share stories and reflect on tribal traditions.

Indigenous Northwest Biennial highlights the diversity of Indigenous art across the Pacific Northwest, bringing together traditional and contemporary practices that carry ancestral knowledge forward.

Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Gallery Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 12:00–4:00 p.m.
Free and open to the public






Steph Littlebird Art

Join us for a Heritage Talk with journalist and author Elizabeth Mehren on Sunday, November 15, 2026, from 2:00–3:00 p.m...
10/08/2026

Join us for a Heritage Talk with journalist and author Elizabeth Mehren on Sunday, November 15, 2026, from 2:00–3:00 p.m. at the Bush House Museum.

Elizabeth Mehren will share stories of immigrants to Oregon from around the world and the meaningful objects they brought with them as they built new lives in Oregon.

Mehren is the author of I Lived to Tell the World, featuring thirteen inspiring profiles of survivors of war, genocide, and other atrocities who went on to build new lives in Oregon. Through interviews and oral histories, Mehren explores stories of loss, resilience, displacement, and starting over.

Mehren is a Portland-based writer, editor, and educator. A former national correspondent for the Los Angeles Times, she has also worked at The Washington Post and taught at Boston University. I Lived to Tell the World is her fifth book and was selected in 2025 as the adult title for the Oregon Center for the Book.

Space is limited to 25 guests. Please register by Friday, November 13 at 4:00 p.m. Walk-ins cannot be accommodated.

General admission: $20 SAA, SAA members $18 Students, and $10 for sudents.

Ticket fees support the work of the Bush House Museum. Limited free tickets are available to help make this program accessible to all. Contact [email protected] for a promo code.

While visiting, be sure to see The Immigrant Story: I Lived to Tell the World, an exhibition featuring photographs by Jim Lommasson, on view in the America Waldo Bogle Gallery at Bush House Museum through December 19, 2026.

Register today to reserve your spot.
https://events.humanitix.com/heritage-talk-elizabeth-mehren
Or visit www.bushhousemuseum.org

Bush House Museum Bush House Museum Oregon Historical Society

Join us for an Artist Talk with Leland Butler and Leonard D. Harmon on Saturday, October 17 at 1:00 p.m.This FREE event ...
10/07/2026

Join us for an Artist Talk with Leland Butler and Leonard D. Harmon on Saturday, October 17 at 1:00 p.m.

This FREE event is open to the public and offers an opportunity to hear directly from the artists about the stories, ideas, experiences, and creative practices behind their work.

Presented in conjunction with "Indigenous Northwest Biennial", curated by Steph Littlebird on view now through October 25, 2026, in the A.N. Bush Gallery, the conversation offers a closer look at the work of two exhibiting artists and the perspectives that shape their artistic practices.

Leland Butler (Grand Ronde/Siletz/Yurok) uses photography to explore relationships between people, place, identity, and memory. His thoughtful compositions invite viewers to slow down, look closely, and consider the stories held within an image.

Leonard D. Harmon draws from ancestral influences, personal experiences, and a wide range of artistic mediums to tell new stories and place history into perspective. His work brings traditional cultural influences into contemporary artistic forms, reflecting his experiences and continued connection to tribal traditions.

Indigenous Northwest Biennial celebrates the depth and diversity of Indigenous artists from the Pacific Northwest, highlighting both traditional and contemporary practices that carry ancestral knowledge forward while expanding perceptions of Indigenous art through a wide range of mediums and materials.

RSVPs are not required, but we encourage you to RSVP so we can prepare the space with the appropriate number of chairs. Let us know you are coming at www.SalemArt.org

Artist Talk with Leland Butler and Leonard D. Harmon
Saturday, October 17, 2026
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Free and open to the public

Bush Barn Art Center & Annex
600 Mission St. SE
Salem, OR 97302

"Indigenous Northwest Biennial" will be on view through October 25, 2026.
Gallery Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 12:00–4:00 p.m.
Free and open to the public





Steph Littlebird Art

Come experience And There Was Evening, and There Was Morning, a new exhibition by artist Taylor Manoles, on view now thr...
10/06/2026

Come experience And There Was Evening, and There Was Morning, a new exhibition by artist Taylor Manoles, on view now through October 25, 2026, in the Camas Gallery at the Bush Barn Art Center.

The show invites you to slow down and immerse yourself in the landscape, nature, and waterways we call home. The scale of the paintings draws you into each scene, creating a sense of being present within these quiet moments of light, reflection, stillness, and movement. Visit the Camas Gallery, spend some time with these paintings, and allow yourself to slow down, take in the landscapes, and discover the beauty held in the in-between moments.

Manoles’ deeply personal connection to the outdoors is at the heart of her practice. Her paintings celebrate the beauty and goodness found in creation while exploring the quiet moments that invite us to pause, wonder, and reflect. In the artist’s words, “And there was evening, and there was morning. These words mark the beginning of a rhythm—the first ordering of light and darkness, ending and beginning, rest and renewal.” She describes her work as dwelling “in the in-between spaces,” where we are invited to consider the rhythm of the world around us and our place within a story that began long before us and continues beyond us.

Read more: salemart.org/events

Bush Barn Art Center & Annex
600 Mission St. SE
Salem, OR 97302

"And There Was Evening, and There Was Morning" will be on view through October 25, 2026.
Gallery Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 12:00–4:00 p.m.
Free and open to the public

Address

600 Mission Street SE
Salem, OR
97302

Opening Hours

Wednesday 12pm - 4pm
Thursday 12pm - 4pm
Friday 12pm - 4pm
Saturday 12pm - 4pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm

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