Jeremy Okai Davis: First Friday After Hours @ Rontoms!

Copywright 2009 Jeremy Okai Davis, “Elowell”

Copywright 2009, Jeremy Okai Davis, “One Missed Call”

March madness is already upon us and Punxsutawney Phil said that winter is out and spring is IN!  To welcome Portland’s rainiest and loveliest season, Rontoms has beautifully renovated its outdoor patio with a mammoth structure that evokes the marriage between a chic European ski lodge and unpolished dive bar.  I am proud to announce that this First Friday, Rontoms is hosting its After Hours art happening featuring the artwork of Portland pointalist, Jeremy Okai Davis.

After you’ve taken the tour of these Southeast Industrial galleries and openings, bring your friends along to Rontoms to put your feet up, relax and regale the bounty of Portland’s creativity!

March 4, 9:30-12:30 pm

RonToms
600 E Burnside
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 236-4536

Golden Rule with Golden Girls

This gallery contains 5 photos.

A big thanks and HUGE props to Golden Rule gallery and shop on Burnside for the creative use of space for this month’s “An Invitation to Sleep.” Artist Palma Corral, culture coordinator Elizabeth Lamb, and myself were invited, as a … Continue reading →

PDX Bridge Festival launches Eastbank Esplanade Project!

Photo courtesy of Aaron Rogosin

I had the distinct pleasure to work with these folks as the Program Coordinator for the inaugural year of the PDX Bridge Festival!  This year, with the creative vision of Tucker Teutsch and the logistical prowess of Jessica Klinke, they are kickstarting a funding initiative for the Portland Eastbank Esplanade Project (PEEP- as in “Peep this!”).  Click HERE to see the ingenious Portlandia parody video they’ve created to get this on the road.

*Special note: I am swinging around in the background dancing with a beautiful painting by local artist Rai Villanueva.  It has a big bird on it!

Change of date: Happy Hour Artist Reception!

Hello Friends,

We have rescheduled Dan Ness’ Happy Hour Artist Reception to Tuesday, Feb. 22 from 4:30-6:30! They have an awesome HH menu and $1 off well drinks.  Dan will be there to talk about life, art, and enjoy libations.  Not that we need excuses, but art and friends are good ones for getting an afterwork drink.  Come join us!

First Friday After Hours at RonToms featuring: Dan Ness

HawkAttack by Dan Ness

Hello First Friday phenoms!  I recently teamed up with the great folks at RonToms on Burnside for some hot art happenings and am proud to introduce the very first First Friday After Hours party, tonight!  Friday, Feb. 4 from 9:30-11:30pm.  This month features a sizable selection of artwork by one of Portland’s finest, Dan Ness in the show titled, “A Little White Lie.”   Painting with pop culture, his work challenges our relationship with icons, branding, and the language of consumerism that disguises itself as entertainment.

After you’ve cruised the Southeast Industrial First Friday art circuit, stop by and grab a cocktail as you wind down the day, and bring the weekend in with style!

RonToms
600 E Burnside
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 236-4536

Happy Hour artist reception is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 23 from 4:30-6:30.

I will be curating art shows on a bi-monthly basis, so stay tuned for next months newest release!

Chief Joseph Arts & Sciences Program! Get paid for your passion!

Hello!

I’d like to give you or someone you know an opportunity to earn cash and help a uniquely RAD elementary school while doing what you love!  That’s right.  Whether performing a play, scheduling a special band to play at the school, making fab jewelry or collaborating on a few murals there is room for your talents to be appreciated and PAID.

Allow me to break it down: Cheif Joe Elementary, like most schools in PDX Public School system has suffered from a huge cut back in arts and science programs (i.e. they don’t have any).  So, the wonderful parents and teachers at Chief Joe started an after school program like no other in Portland.  While there are wonderful programs out there like Sun Schools, LEAP, and the like, they all cost money and cater to a unique group of individuals.  However, the Arts and Sciences Enrichment Program at CJ is offered to all kids at the school for free!!

We are currently looking to fill two “full-time,” positions (2 hrs/week, 13 weeks, Nov 22-March 10) for the following:

• “Mad Science” Teacher:  Someone who would like to teach the “Messy Science,” package provided by OMSI, a talented Gardner/Permaculturist, or anything having to do with Earth Sciences. MONDAYS
• Drama Teacher:  Someone who has a love for drama and theater who’d like to teach a school play or basic acting skills. WEDNESDAYS

In addition, we’d love to offer  a few more “part-time,” positions (2 hrs/week, 7 weeks, start date is flexible) in Science Club, Movement Club, and Drama Club.

If you are interested please click HERE and let me know ASAP if you or someone super fantastic you know is interested.

A great First Thursday!

First, thanks to all who came out on Thursday night for the opening of “Ahlan.”  The show, by all measures, was a success!  The gallery will be open the following dates and times.  We invite you to join in on the community nights and participate in the conversation.

• Nov. 13, Saturday, 12pm-5pm: Gallery hours
• Nov. 16, Tuesday, 7pm-9pm: Tales from Palestine, a night of storytelling
• Nov. 20, Saturday, 12pm-5pm: Gallery hours
• Nov. 23, Tuesday, 7pm-9pm: Poetry reading

If you’d like to see the show outside of these times, please email me directly: andboyle@gmail.com

Mentions in the Press!
- PDX Pipeline
- Portland Mercury

Second, “Ahlan,” is just the beginning of a larger conversation that can be had.  If you, or someone you know, is interested in showing the other side of Palestinian/Israeli conflict, I’d be happy to look at the material and find a place to show.  Beyond this specific and divisive subject, I am very interested in putting together a narrative through art about the current struggles of West v. East.  Culturally, with all of the propaganda, news, and internet media out there offering the most polarized view of the “conflict,” there is a responsibility to offer a counterbalance.

What are Arab artists talking about? How does it feel to be a Iraqi refugee in America? What of the American veterans of the Iraqi wars?  How has French secularism denied basic human rights to Muslim women?  These are only a few of the questions that I’d like to ask through a series of art installations and shows in Portland.  Raising awareness, not of the body count in Iraq nor the newest fatwa handed down by the Taliban in Afghanistan, but of the artists, intellectuals, and participants in such headlines.

If you you have an art show, body of work, or art space that can support one in a series of such shows, please contact me.