p:earblossoms IV

aerial performance group, Aviator. photo: Leia Carlton.

First word on the p:earblossoms IV annual fundraiser. We’re thrilled that the entertainment for the evening will be Daniel Addy’s aerial group, Aviator, doing an aerial movement installation/performance. We can only imagine what the innovative Addy will do in the beautiful atrium space at Weiden + Kennedy, the site of this May 6 (6-9 PM) benefit for p:ear.

Likely you already know that p:ear is a non-profit that offers a range of art and education services for homeless and transitional youth, serving over 450 young people each year from their 801 SW Alder location.

Expect an auction, appetizers and wine provided by Pazzo Ristorante, and music by Tim DuRoche’s Resolution 57.

Tickets are $75 (two for $130), and reservations can be made on line at www.pearmentor.org, or by calling 503-228-6677.

Small A Projects Opening

If you aren’t keeping up with the new generation of gallerists in Portland–Laurel Gitlen (Small A Projects), Jenn Armbrust (motel gallery), and the New American Art Union gals, not to mention Tilt in the Everett Lofts, Sugar Gallery in the old Gallery 500 space, and now Renowned in the 811 E Burnside building–you’re missing the boat.

Opening tonight with a reception from 6-9 PM at Small A Projects (1430 SE Third), is a solo exhibition of new work by Allyson Vieira. Brooklyn-based Vieira shows sculpture and works on paper that “explore the formal and ideological connections between disparate historical periods including Periclean Greece, the Enlightenment, the American and French Revolutions and Minimalism” with a red, white, and blue palette.

Vieira (Brooklyn) has a BFA from Cooper Union and has been included in several group exhibitions including “Freedom Salon” at Deitch Projects. A monograph of her works is forthcoming from Evil Twin Publications this fall. This is her first solo exhibition.

Shawna Ferreira has completed two new large-scale mixed-media works for her project, Oblivion’s Everywhere Else, showing at Small A Projects in conjunction with her Case Works exhibition at Reed College. These kinds of institutional/gallery collaborations are exciting and nothing but good, good, good for Portland. Ferreira is a Portland-based artist whose prints and videos have been exhibited at the Elizabeth Leach Gallery and PICA’s TBA festival.

The show runs through April 29. The gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday, 12-6 PM.

Small A Projects

ultra Q: Sam Adams

ultra ?’s City Commissioner Sam Adams. He cares as much about the arts and the creative economy as we do and is amazingly down-to-earth (literally…chickens…see below). As well, he’s singing our song on many other issues (like support for small businesses, yeah!) on which his advocacy will make the difference in keeping Portland good. Here he takes a minute to answer the ultra Q.

Qualities you most admire in design: When it stops me in my tracks the first time I see it

Qualities you most despise in design: Mimicry and elitism

Reading: How to Raise Chickens in The City (I’ve bought three hens)

Listening to: Gorillaz; Beck; Dean Martin

Dream project: High speed rail from Canada to Mexico

Favorite virtue: Courage

Favorite vice: Ice cream

photos from Sam Adam’s snapshots on his website

Tragic flaw: Bad hair

Secret superhero power: Good banana cake baker – costume design concepts to follow

That which keeps your afterburners firing: Injustice and iced black tea with half-and-half

What you’d like to be when you grow up: Farmer

Portland’s best kept secret: Blueberry Pie at Bipartisan Café (7901 SE Stark Street)

Portland heroes (sung or un-): My staff

Interesting on the horizon (PDX): www.arthappy.org

photos from Sam Adam’s snapshots on his website

Comissioner Sam.

2006 Oregon Biennial List

artist: Holly Andres

The list for the Portland Art Museum’s 2006 Oregon Biennial is out and we are pleased as punch to see a well-rounded list with some ultra-faves. We’re particularly happy to see performance artist and object maker Brad Adkins, one half of Charm Bracelet, Holly Andres who was selected in both photography and film (with Grace Carter), installation artist Chandra Bocci, sculptor and performance artist David Eckard, artist and Portland Modern publisher Mark Brandau, PICA’s Kristan Kennedy, plus K.C. Madsen, Ty Ennis, and Matthew Picton.

Looking forward to July.

Let Bwana Spoons Draw On Your Shoes

Today at adidas Originals they roll out the first wave of the new (retro) adicolor line…all white sneaks…

The launch of the limited-edition adidas adicolor collection goes down today at the adidas Originals Store (1039 NW Couch) from 10-4.

Bwana Spoons

The original 80s adicolors were sold with brightly hued, quick-drying weatherproof pens. For those not inclined to apply the pen to their own shoes, today, PDX-based artist Bwana Spoons will be on hand to customize.