Over 50 regional LGBTQIA2S+ artists in two new exhibitions at the Multnomah Arts Center in Portland, OR
The Multnomah Arts Center (MAC) in Portland, Oregon is proud to be showing work by over fifty regional LGBTQIA2S+ artists this spring. There is a power to witnessing and being witnessed. These exhibitions, on display April 4 – May 10, 2025, are an invitation to connect to it and to each other.
“Shift Work: Queer Artists in Tectonic Times” will be in the Center Gallery at MAC. This exhibition explores the emotional complexity of the rapidly shifting social and political landscape for LGBTQIA2S+ people. Featured artists in this show include Ami Patel, Areem Rose, Robert Sumner, Zephyr Kim and Tommy Bruce. A large communal piece titled “We Take Care of Us” showcases work by an additional 40 artists. Sales from this piece will benefit p:ear, a local organization that works creatively and collaboratively with unhoused youth in Portland. This exhibition was curated by Pablo V. Cazares and Megan Hatch.
“Holding Our Own: Works by LGBTQIA2S+ Ceramic Artists & Potters” will be in the Front Gallery at MAC. Participating artists include Marne Lucas, Gwynn Goodner, Jay Holtman, Jesse King, Josi Colbert, Katie Lynn Howard, Lalo Perez, Mychelle Moritz, Rose Covert, Vector Benoit and Michael F. McDonald. Their work speaks to our capacity to hold space, hold the line, and hold onto hope during challenging times. This exhibition was curated by Lux Harris and Megan Hatch.
The joint opening reception will be at MAC on Thursday, April 10 from 6-8 p.m. A talk with the featured artists from “Shift Work” will occur via Zoom on Saturday, April 19 from 1-2:30. Sign up to attend this event at http://www.multnomahartscenter.org. “Fractals – A QT Poetry Reading” will occur in-person at MAC on Saturday, April 26 at 2 p.m. This event was organized with Ami Patel, 2024 Oregon Literary Fellow in Poetry. She and several other regional queer and trans writers will be participating. No signup is required.
These exhibitions and related events are all free and open to the public. The Multnomah Arts Center Gallery is located at 7688 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR, 97219. The gallery is open Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Friday – Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.