It’s hard to believe May is already here—but with each new month comes a new First Thursday! On May 5th, galleries in and around Portland’s Pearl District will be open late showing new work. If you’re in the neighborhood, make sure to stop by Matt Wagner’s Hellion Gallery to see artist Christelle Enault. Enault’s hallucinatory, richly textured illustrations have been featured in the New York Times, but her work has rarely been shown outside Paris, so this exhibition will be especially noteworthy. You can preview some of her work on Tumblr, but nothing beats seeing it in person!

In addition to this month's show, guests will also be able to purchase Wagner's latest book, The Tall Trees of Paris, at the gallery on Thursday which features work by Enault and 41 other Parisian artists. Buyers of the book will receive a set of limited edition postcards with art from the book.

Looking for more to do on your First Thursday art tour? If you like Christelle Enault’s work, be sure to also check out Kenneth Saylor’s similarly surreal and textural ink-on-paper pieces; his “Shattered Than Hollow” show will be on display at Basic Space Gallery (just a couple blocks away from Hellion). Then, head over to Pony Club to view this month's solo show by Holly Cappello. In fact, check out as many galleries as possible! There will be no shortage of beauty in the vicinity.

Even if you can’t make it to First Thursday, Christelle Enault’s show will be up until May 28th. Don’t miss this opportunity to see some fantastic contemporary French art!

Christelle Enault: Musk Mask

Thursday, May 5th from 6:00pm until the lights turn off

Hellion Gallery

19 NW 5th Ave, Suite 208 Portland, Oregon 97209