Blue Sky Gallery

Blue Sky Gallery has been a pioneering force in contemporary photography since 1975, when five young photographers pooled their resources to open a tiny nine-by-fourteen-foot gallery space on NW Lovejoy Street. What began as a scrappy artists' collective has evolved into a nationally recognized institution with a 3,700-square-foot facility in the Pearl District, while maintaining its original commitment to accessible, community-focused programming. The gallery presents between 20 and 30 exhibitions annually across two exhibition spaces, with nearly all solo exhibitions by international artists marking their first presentations in the United States. This remarkable track record of discovering emerging photographers early in their careers has earned Blue Sky recognition as having the best record of discovering new photographers of any artists' space in the country, with the gallery having shown more than 1,000 artists over its 50-year history. Visitors to Blue Sky will find free admission, open Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 5 PM, with extended hours during First Thursday openings. The gallery maintains a public research library and showcases regional photographers through its Pacific Northwest Drawers program, an annual juried exhibition where 60 regional artists present 10 original prints each in flat file drawers accessible year-round. The gallery also hosts semi-annual Print Walk exhibitions that invite the public to meet the artists behind the work, and regular artist talks and community programs that deepen the connection between photographers and audiences. One of Blue Sky's most distinctive contributions to the photography field is its extensive publishing program, producing a publication for nearly every exhibition. This publishing initiative has made Blue Sky one of the largest photo book publishers in the world, ensuring that artists leave with lasting documentation of their work and that exhibitions continue to circulate through libraries, studios, classrooms, and private collections long after shows close. The gallery's commitment to access extends beyond its walls, regularly reserving gallery space to elevate voices from outside established art circles, including partnerships with community organizations and local educational institutions.