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History

Blackfish Gallery has been fully owned and operated by working artists since its founding in 1978. It is the oldest cooperative 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 artist roster includes emerging, mid- and late-career artists, and four of Blackfish’s founding artist/members.


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

  • Portland Art Museum,

  • the Tacoma Art Museum

  • the Seattle Art Museum

  • the Hallie Ford Museum

  • the Henry Art Museum

  • the Oregon Health Sciences University

  • the Oregon Arts Commission Percent for Art in Public Places

  • the Mayor’s Office in the City of Portland

  • the City of Portland/Multnomah County Portable Art Works Collection

  • the University of Oregon

  • the Jordan Schnitzer Art Museum

  • the Regional Arts and Cultural Council

  • the University of New Mexico

  • Reed College

  • Salem Hospital, Artisans Works (NY)

  • as well as in countless corporate and private collections

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.

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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 links to local organizations that are doing important work and could use your help. 

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