DEV-ABOUT | Blackfish Gallery

WELCOME TO BLACKFISH GALLERY

Artist owned and operated since 1978

Blackfish Gallery has been fully owned and operated by working artists since its founding in 1978. It is the oldest artist-owned and operated gallery in Portland, Oregon, and one of the most enduring and successful cooperative galleries in the United States. In 2024, its 45th year of operation, Blackfish was honored with a proclamation from the City of Portland, which noted its vital contributions to Portland’s arts ecosystem, and its role in nurturing many of the Northwest’s most celebrated artists. Over 200 prominent Oregon and Washington artists have been represented by Blackfish over the years. Our current artist roster includes emerging, mid- and late-career artists, and four of Blackfish’s founding artist-owners.

The work of Blackfish artists is held in the permanent collections as well as in countless corporate and private collections throughout the United States, Europe, Japan, Australia and Great Britain.

Blackfish is a proud founding and current member of the Portland Art Dealers' Association (PADA).

Blackfish is delighted to announce being a co-founding member of the Portland Coalition of Art Collectives (POCOCO) along with Waterstone Gallery / Gallery 114 / Well Well Projects / Carnation Contemporary.

Meet our Director of Public Engagement, Kendra Roberts

An arts collaborator, curator, program developer and producer, Kendra Roberts has demonstrated her creative, analytical, and strategic acumen throughout her two-plus decade career, including as a working artist. Kendra is founder of Common Ground Arts (CGA), an arts consultancy curating visual art in traditional and non-traditional public spaces.

Through her vast experience as a committed arts advocate and collaborator, Kendra brings the perspective of a self-produced working artist, curator, and arts administrator to her work as our Director of Public Engagement. Kendra received her B.A. at DePauw University and her Master of Design from the Glasgow School of Art in Scotland. She is a fellow of the Next Generation of Leadership program in Columbus, OH, an active committee member for Converge 45, and on the Northwest Chapter leadership committee of ArtTable.

You may reach Kendra Roberts via email: director@blackfish.com,
or by calling the gallery, 503.224.2634

Land Statement

We acknowledge that Blackfish Gallery resides on stolen land where the traditional villages of the Multnomah, Wasco, Cowlitz, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Bands of Chinook, Tualatin, Kalapuya, Molalla, and many other tribes once stood along the Columbia River.

We recognize that the egregious systems of colonialism, genocide, relocation, and oppression have had a lasting impact on Indigenous people. Nonetheless, Native people and cultures have continued to thrive and contribute immensely to our city.

Blackfish Gallery is committed to celebrating and honoring Native history, people, and cultures by building authentic relationships with Indigenous artists and amplifying their voices by sharing our space as a place to tell their stories and exhibit their talent.

We support Indigenous-led grassroots change movements and campaigns and encourage our patrons to do so as well. Here are links to local organizations that are doing important work and could use your help.