Portland Art Museum reopens with bold new vision
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The renovation incorporates the outside environment with the interior via large windows and terraces. Photo: Courtesy of Jeremy Bittermann
After more than two years of construction and a $116 million investment, the newly renovated Portland Art Museum will open to the public next week, adding 100,000 square feet of space and nearly 300 new acquisitions.
Why it matters: The transformation marks a significant turnaround for the museum, which once faced mounting debt, and now aims to be a core piece in revitalizing downtown — drawing foot traffic and creating a cultural centerpiece.
State of play: Anchored by the new Mark Rothko Pavilion (named for the Latvian-born painter who studied here), the open-air passageway offers passersby glimpses of the art inside while connecting the museum's east and west wings to the South Park Blocks and Southwest 10th Avenue.
- Inside, there are new galleries, public spaces, balcony terraces, workshop areas for school kids and intuitive hallways, which incorporate glimpses of downtown's surrounding buildings, allowing visitors a more seamless way to move through art and architecture.
What they're saying: In the short term, the project aims to "help realize a rebirth of this city and the region," museum director Brian Ferriso said.
- "Long term, this project will serve as a resource for generations."
Zoom in: The galleries are also now organized by their thematic similarities, rather than by place or time period, including pieces that "are rarely or have never been seen before," Ferriso added.
- In the contemporary wing, expect bold works by Jeffrey Gibson, Leonardo Drew, Julie Mehretu and Alison Saar alongside a rotating installation of Rothko works. A David Hockney exhibition will come early next year.
- The museum's first-ever new media space includes a 5-minute, 42-second 8K video by Marco Brambilla (known for his work on the Sphere in Las Vegas) on the second largest 8K screen in the U.S., depicting Hollywood movie scenes via the seven levels of purgatory.
Meanwhile, a new Black art and experiences gallery centers around artists whose work explores identity and belonging.
- There you'll find Mickalene Thomas' collage of clips displaying Black performers (like Josephine Baker and Whitney Houston) and Lisa Jarrett's exhibit linking family history with beauty salon stores.
Plus, so much more.
My thought bubble: Touring the museum, I was absolutely blown away by the sheer scale of the renovation.
- The extremely thought-out details (I particularly liked the sound-absorbing ceilings and flamed granite floors that created a quiet, warm atmosphere) and sharp-eyed curation was world class.
- It's fair to say PAM is now officially the West Coast MoMA.
If you go: The Portland Art Museum (1219 SW Park Ave.) will celebrate its grand opening with four days of public celebrations, gallery talks, music, workshops and free admission starting Thursday.