In a city that has proclaimed itself “The World’s Greatest City For The Arts and Outdoors,” Eugene, Oregon has put a great many resources in recent years toward building a thriving downtown visual and performing art scene. With a thriving performing arts center that is home to several resident companies, including ballet, choral music, a symphony and theatre; and a newly renovated art museum on the University of Oregon campus, residents enjoy big city culture in a moderate-sized town.
The first Friday of every month has been set aside as “First Friday Art Walk” and participants tour several art galleries on foot, enjoying the opportunity to meet artists and community leaders and sample an unfolding reception as they stroll the comfortable distance between exhibits – rain or shine.
With a healthy art scene, it is difficult to pick the best galleries, but here’s four that are definitely on the “don’t miss” list:
Opus6ix (http://www.opus6ix.com) is a relatively new gallery located in a renovated retail space at 22 West Seventh Avenue, across from the Hult Center for the Performing Arts. The award-winning 6000 square foot space was designed by architect John Rowel and features an ever-changing display from hundreds of artists. There is artwork exhibited for every taste and pocketbook – glass, furniture, sculpture, photography, and other visual offerings. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful and the curator is an artist as well. The gallery is open Tuesday through Sunday.
The Downtown Initiative for the Visual Arts, or DIVA as it is locally known, (http://www.divanow.org) is a nonprofit collective that is largely run by volunteers and is a collaboration of local artists, businesses and community leaders. The space at 110 West Broadway in downtown Eugene is actually seven galleries in one location. In addition to exhibiting amateur and professional artists, DIVA holds regular classes, receptions and shows films throughout the month. An online newsletter is published weekly on their website and features upcoming events. This gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday each week.
For a true taste of the Eugene vibe, Fenario Gallery and Design (http://www.fenariogallery.com) is located at 507 Willamette Street and features well-known artists from the Psychedelic era including Jerry Garcia, Roberta Weir and Martina Hoffman. The art exhibits change on the first Friday of every month (for the First Friday Art Walk) and upcoming exhibits are listed on the Gallery’s website. This gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday of every week.
As part of the Hult Center For The Performing Arts(www.hultcenter.org) in downtown Eugene, the Jacob’s Gallery (http://www.jabobsgallery.org) considers itself an anchor for the downtown visual arts scene. The gallery is located on the first floor of the performing arts center at 7th and Willamette and plays host to the annual Mayor’s Art Show during the city-wide Eugene Celebration in early fall. The exhibits change regularly and all exhibits are juried, curated or invitational and showcase local and regional artists. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturdays and during performances at the Hult Center.
With so many art galleries, all within comfortable walking distance, it is easy to see why the First Friday Art Walk has become
a cherished institution in this laid back college town. Even if you can’t make it on the first Friday of the month, it is a comfortable afternoon to wander, exploring art galleries and exhibits and stopping into a coffee shop or bakery to experience some of that famous Pacific Northwest vibe. For a list of other galleries, a good source of information is the Eugene Chamber of Commerce (http://www.eugenechamber.com) or the Convention and Visitors Association of Lane County Oregon (CVALCO) at http://www.visitlanecounty.org
