For a smaller city, Portland Oregon has a fairly active arts scene. The tradition of First Thursday began back in 1986 and has grown into a full fledged monthly art affair with spin off events like Last Thursday on Alberta (now in its 19th season). Tucked up in the 27th block of NE Alberta, Antler Gallery has been showcasing local artists since 2012. Founded by Susannah Kelly and Neil Perry, the gallery is dedicated to keeping the Alberta Arts District alive and well. We have a special affection for Susannah and a number of the artists represented by the gallery, as they are also showcased in our book, The Tall Trees of Portland by Matt Wagner.
Starting April 28th, the show up at Antler will be new work by Susannah Kelly, Jon MacNair, and Morgaine Faye - all three of which are featured in Wagner’s book.
Susannah Kelly is a Portland-based painter and illustrator who works predominantly in graphite. Her subject matter tends toward the brutality of human relationships and often features images that evoke thought about how we interact with the world and each other.
Jon MacNair was born in Seoul, raised in the suburbs of Detroit, and got his BFA in illustration at the Maryland Institute College of Art. He now lives and works in Portland, OR. He frequently exhibits his personal work in galleries around the US and abroad. His illustrations are “to-the-point and communicative, summing up big ideas in beautifully clear and whimsical imagery. His fine art pieces are mysterious and dreamlike, often encapsulating entire narratives within one image.” (Lost at E Minor)
Morgaine Faye is a painter, illustrator and metalsmith. She also lives and works in Portland but grew up in Santa Cruz, CA, arriving in the Northwest to attend Pacific Northwest College of Art. She has experience in a wide array of projects, from creating concept art, storyboards, and set designs, to fabricating props and puppets for stop motion animation. Her work often incorporates elements of the natural world, from bones, skulls, and feathers to fantastical human and animal forms.
You can see the show from April 28th through May 24th at:
Antler Gallery
2718 NE Alberta St.
Portland, OR 97211