Oregon Contemporary

Some amazing press about the 2026 Biennial 🔥✏️

We’re so grateful for the incredible reception to The Price of the Ticket this month. Huge thanks to our curator, TK Smith, whose vision for this biennial is thoughtful, expansive, and deeply resonant.

Read more on our press page — link in bio.

🗞️ “The Price of the Ticket is Cost-Conscious” — Portland Mercury

🗞️ “Oregon Contemporary Artists’ Biennial explores ‘The Price of the Ticket’ in 2026 art survey” — OPB

We will be open regular hours for viewing The Price of the Ticket, the Artists’ Biennial and a response to the 250-year anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Our courtyard is also a lovely space to gather, share, and plan your actions together. Stay safe and stay strong! 💪🇺🇸
Artwork by courtesy of

First Saturday with Jaleesa Johnston: 𝘞𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘈𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘴 🪑 ⁠
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🔥 Saturday, May 2⁠
🕔 5:00–8:00 PM / Performance at 6:00 PM⁠
📍 Oregon Contemporary⁠
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For this special Biennial First Saturday, interdisciplinary artist Jaleesa Johnston activates her installation 𝘊𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 with a performance titled 𝘞𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘈𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘴. ⁠
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Created in reverence of Toni Morrison’s Beloved, the work draws on the moment when Baby Suggs gathers the newly emancipated in a clearing to preach love of one’s own flesh. Within the galleries of Oregon Contemporary, Johnston creates her own clearing, inviting us to return to our bodies and find love despite a world that may resist it.⁠
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In addition to the Biennial, new exhibitions will open at our neighboring galleries, Well Well and Carnation Contemporary
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📸 𝘊𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 (2022), Jaleesa Johnston | Photo by Sayward Schoonmaker

Art & Advocacy: A Conversation with TK Smith and Oregon Artists

📅 Wednesday, April 29th
🕕️ 6-8pm
📍 Soho House Portland
🎟️ Tickets on our site!

Come join us for a night of art and conversation at with TK Smith leading a talk with Lisa Jarrett, Patricia Vázquez Gómez , and Vo Vo. These Oregon artists will discuss advocacy within their artistic practices and the role of the Oregon Contemporary Artists' Biennial in supporting artists of this region.

A number of 2026 Artists' Biennial artists will be in attendance as well. So come enjoy a night filled with inspiration and community with delicious food and drinks for us in the beautiful Music Room. If you can’t attend the event, you can still show your support by purchasing a ticket for an artist to attend in your place.

This event is supported by The Ford Family Foundation and Soho House.